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PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



DICTIONARY 



OF 



UNITED STATES HISTORY. 

1 492- 1 897. 



Four Centuries of History. 



WRITTEN CONCISELY AND ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY 
IN DICTIONARY FORM. 



BY 



J, Franklin Jameson, Ph.D., 

Professor of History in Brown University, formerly of Johns Hopkins University, 

Editorial contributor to the Century Dictionary, 

Author of a '* History of Historical Writing in America." 



ILLUSTRATED WITH NEARLY 300 PORTRAITS. 



PURITAN PUBLISHING CO., •> (!? 

BOSTON, MASS. . - n ^ 



:LZp^ 



Copyright 
1894, 1S96, 1897. 
James Prummond Ball. / 






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PUBLISHERS' PREFACE. 



/n offering this valuable book to the public, inasmuch as the subject is of 
vital and growing interest to every individual in this country, we feel that 
■we are striking the popular chord and filling a long felt need. As to the 
comprehensiveness and accuracy of the work, we need only to refer you to 
tiie name of our author, whose life work is given to historical research and 
instruction, and whose name stands high as an authority in historical writing. 
This work will be of special value to teachers and pupils in all colleges and 
schools, as it enables them to refer in au instant to the facts and incidents of 
United States History, thereby saving much time and labor. It will be 
equally valuable to all other individuals who desire a comprehensive and 
accurate work of reference on the history of this country. 

We have planned to furnish the reader a volume valuable from every 
point of view — authorship, subject, illustrations, readable type, quality of 
paper, beautiful and substantial bindings, and skilled workmanship, all of 
this combined with a low price putting the book within the reach of all 
those who desire it. A most attractive feature of this book is the large 
number of portraits of illustrious Americans. Many of these portraits are 
very rare and were secured only after a long and diligent search, and we 
desire to acknowledge our indebtedness to the friends of many of these 
eminent citizens for assistance rendered us in securing original portraits. 

The people of America are a reading people, and we launch this book 
V ith great confidence, believing that it will be fully appreciated. 

The Publishers. 



PREFACE. 



The preparation of this book was due to the belief that a Dictionary of 
United States History, in which the facts of our history should be con- 
cisely stated, in alphabetical form, for ready reference, would be useful to> 
that large and increasing number of readers who are interested in the story 
of our nation's development. Usefulness, accordingly, has been the foremost 
consideration during the progress of the work. In order that such a book 
of reference should be useful, it is necessary that it should be, first, compre- 
hensive, and secondly, accurate. Great pains have been taken to make it 
accurate, and it is hoped that the efforts thus made have not been without 
effect. In order to establish any claim to comprehensiveness, a few words 
of explanation are necessary, that the reader may know just what the book 
is intended to include. In the first place, it is confined to the history of the 
United States. The histories of other parts of America, or of the world^ 
are included only in so far as they have some relation to United States his- 
tory. Within the field thus defined, articles will, it is believed, be found 
upon nearly all important subjects. If any have been omitted, it has not 
been for want of care. The following classes of subjects inclitded may be 
specified: political occurrences of various sorts; wars and insurrections; 
battles, and even important skirmishes, of all our wars, including sea-fights 
and sieges; colonies and settlements upon any part of our present territory- 
colonizing companies; the several States and Territories; those cities and 
towns which may fairly be called historic, or whose importance on other 
grounds makes their history interesting; famous old manors, houses and! 
communities; political parties and factions; political terms which have 
played a prominent part in American history; departments of government^ 
offices, courts and institutions. Federal, State, colonial or local; Indian tribes 
that have had a history; famous ships; noted legal cases of historic impor- 
tance, such as constitutional cases decided by the Supreme Court or fugitive 
slave cases; historic laws, British and American; treaties with foreign coun- 
tries and, under the name of each such country, the history of our diplo- 
matic relations with its government; colleges, universities, libraries and 
other educational institutions; learned societies, especially those devoted to 
historical studies; famous historical publications; newspapers, especially those 
which were earliest published in the country, or in their respective States; 
coins; historic songs, etc. 

(3) 



4 Preface. 

One class, larger than any of those yet mentioned, deserves a more explicit 
reference; namely, the class of biographical subjects. EflFort has been made 
to include a brief article on the life of every man or woman who has played 
a considerable part in the public life of the colonies or United States, either 
in the civil or the military and naval departments. Thus, in the earlier 
period have been mentioned such persons as the leading explorers and colo- 
nial governors, while in the later period the biographies embrace concise 
statements respecting the Presidents and Cabinet officers, and the leading 
Governors, Senators, Congressmen and judges, generals and naval officers. It 
has been thought that information respecting these characters in public life 
will especially be sought by those who use the book. Names eminent solely 
in literature and science, names of artists, divines and merchants, have nat- 
urally been less fully represented and more briefly treated. Historical writers 
have been more fully represented than others. Finally, beside Americans, 
many Britons and other foreigners — monarchs, ministers, generals and others 
— are included because they had much to do with the history of the United 
States. 

Attention is called also to tiie tables and historical lists: that of the Cabinet 
officers, prepared from information supplied by the Department of State, 
and those of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, of the members 
of the Convention of 1787 (see Convention), of the Presidents, of the Vice- 
Presidents, of the Speakers of the House of Representatives, of the Justices 
of the Supreme Court, of the Presidential elections (see Elections), of the 
sessions of Congress, and of the States and their populations. 

Acknowledgments are due, for much valuable assistance rendered, to Mr. 
Edmund K. Alden, an assistant editor of the " Century Dictionary," and to 
Mr. George Carey, formerly of the " Review of Reviews." Further acknowl- 
edgments are due to the writer's father, John Jameson, Esq., A. M., to Mr. 
Seth H. Chace, of Brown University, to Messrs. J. Q. Dealey, J. F. Greene 
and S. S. Colvin, instructors in that university, to Mr. Henry K. Rowe, of 
Colby Academy, and to Mr. A. A. Freeman, teacher of history in Phillips 
Academy, Andover, who have rendered, in special departments, assistance 

highly appreciated. 

J. FRANKLIN JAMESON. 
Brown University, 

Providence, R. I. 



Dictionary of United States History. 



"A. B." Plot, a plot to destroy Crawford's popularity and political power 
by accusing him, in 1824, of malfeasance in the office of Secretary of the 
Treasury, which he then filled. A series of letters appeared in a Washington 
newspaper, signed "A. B.," reflecting upon Crawford's integrity, and demand- 
ing investigation. They were written by Ninian Edwards, who had just been 
appointed to the Mexican mission. In March, just previous to his departure 
for Mexico, Edwards acknowledged their authorship. He was* brought to 
Washington and failed to sustain his charges, so Crawford was exonerated. 

Abenakis, a tribe of Indians living in and near what is now Maine, with 
whom the New Englanders had occasional wars, as in 1702, 1722, 1724. See 
Rasle, Sebastien. 

Abercrombie, James (1706-1781), a British major-general, commanding in 
America during part of the French and Indian War, 1758. He failed disas- 
trously in an attack on Ticonderoga in July, 1758, losing 2000 men killed and 
wounded out of a force of 15,000, and was replaced by Sir Jeffrey Amherst. 

Abingdon, Va., was captured on December 15, 1864, by Burbridge's division 
of Stoneman's (Federal) cavalry, which defeated Echols (Confederate). 

Ableman vs. Booth, an important Supreme Court case from Wisconsin. 
In 1854, Booth was tried before a commissioner appointed by the U. S. District 
Court of Wisconsin for violation of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. He 
was commanded to appear before the District Court, and, failing to do so, 
was imprisoned by the U. S. Marshal Ableman. The Supreme Court of 
Wisconsin issued a writ of habeas corpus and Booth was released. Later 
the U. S. District Court found an indictment against him. He again 
appealed to the Supreme Court of the State and was released. The case 
came before the Supreme Court of the United States in 1858. That body 
reversed the decisions of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin. Booth had pleaded 
the unconstitutionality of the Fugitive Slave Law. The constitutionality of 
that law was now maintained by the court. It was also held that the marshal, 
in matters of habeas corpus, must obey the sovereignty of the United States 
rather than that of the State, the latter having no authority within the 
limits of the sovereignty assigned by the Constitution to the United States. 

Abolitionists, a party or body of men bent on securing the immediate 
abolition of slaver}- in the United States. Throughout the eighteenth century 
there had been a sentiment, more or less widespread, in favor of the emanci- 
pation of slaves. At about the close of the Revolutionary War most of the 

(5) 



€ Dictionary of United States History. 

Northern States provided for emancipation, immediate or gradual. Before 
the end of the century several abolition societies had been formed. In 1816 
interest in the matter revived, and the American Colonization Society was 
organized, its object being to promote emancipation and to colonize the freed 
negroes in Africa. But the movement took on a new character with the 
beginning of the work of William Lloyd Garrison in 1829, and with the 
fonnation of the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833, and the term Aboli- 
tionist is generally applied rather to those who took part in this new agitation 
than to their less uncompromising predecessors. Garrison demanded the 
immediate and total abolition of slavery throughout the country, all laws 
and constitutions to the contrary notwithstanding. The Abolitionists soon 
divided. Garrison and his followers holding aloof from all connection with 
political action under the Constitution, and advocating disunion, while 
another wing of the agitators, under the name of the Liberty Party (see art.), 
put forward candidates and took part in the presidential elections of 1840 
and 1S44. In 1S48 these joined the Free-soilers (see art.), and in 1855 and 
1856 the Republican party. Throughout the years from 1833 to 1863 the 
Abolitionists continued their agitation. They did much to rouse Northern 
sentiment against slavery, to bring on the Civil War, and to secure, among 
its results, the emancipation of all slaves. The leaders of the radical Aboli- 
tionists were, beside Garrison himself, Wendell Phillips, John G. Whittier, 
Edmund Quincy, Samuel J. May, William Jay and others. 

"Abominations, Tariff of," a name given to the tariff of 1828 because 
©f the extremely high protective duties which it placed on all manner of 
both manufactured articles and raw materials. 

Abraham, Plains of. On the evening of September 12, 1759, General 
"Wolfe made a desperate attempt upon Quebec. While the fleet made a 
feigned attack below the town Wolfe and his men scaled the heights above 
the city, routed the sentries and took his position with 3500 troops. The 
French under Montcalm arrived early in the morning, made a somewhat 
disorderly attack and were beaten. Both generals fell. The loss of the 
English was 664, of the French 640. 

Academic des Etats Unis, or the Academy of Arts and Sciences of the 
TJnited States of America. This institution, after the model of the French 
Academy of Sciences, and whose plan was brought to America, in 178S, by 
ithe Chevalier Quesnay de Beaurepaire, was to have been located at Rich- 
mond, Va. A large sum was subscribed by the citizens of Richmond and 
by wealthy planters, and one professor. Dr. Jean Rouelle, was appointed, but 
the plan failed. 

Academies, a name given in the United States to two classes of institu- 
tions: learned bodies, such as the National Academy of Sciences, and incor- 
porated private institutions for secondary education. Of the former class, 
the American Academy of Arts and Sciences was founded at Boston in 1780, 
the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1799, the Pennsylvania 
Academy of Fine Arts in 1807. The National Academy of Sciences was 
founded in 1S63, to "investigate, examine, 'experiment and report upon any 
subject of science or art," whenever called upon by any department of the 



Dictionary of United States History. 7 

national government. Of the latter class, a few dozen were in existence in 
1789. Perhaps the most famous of these are Phillips Academy, Andover, 
Mass., and Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H., founded in 1780 and 1781, 
respectively. 

Acadia, or Acadie, the name given by the French to a province of their 
colonial empire in America, consisting of what is now Nova Scotia, New 
Brunswick and part of Maiue, the important part being Nova Scotia. De 
Monts settled it in 1604. It was claimed by England. Argall conquered it 
in 1613. James I. gave it to Sir William Alexander, but he could not hold 
it. It was in English hands from 1654 to 1657. It was conquered by Sir 
William Phipps and New England troops in 1690, but retaken in 1691. 
Further attempts were made in 1704, 1707 and 17 10. The last was successful, 
and in 17 13 the treaty of Utrecht gave Acadia to England. Under British 
government the Acadians were accused of abusing their privileges as neutrals. 
In 1755 several thousand of them were transported, with much harsh treat- 
ment, to the British provinces southward. (Longfellow's " Evangeline.") 
Many made their way to Louisiana. 

Acre Right, the share owned by any one in the common lands of New Eng- 
land towns. Their value varied in different towns, but was a fixed quantity 
in each town. In Billerica, for instance, a ten-acre lot or right was equivalent 
to 113 acres of upland and twelve acres of meadow, and so on in exact 
proportion. 

"Active," case of sloop. (See Olmstead v. Rittenhouse.) 

" Acts and Resolves," a publication issued by the government of Massa- 
chusetts, edited by Abner C. Goodell, Jr. It comprises all the acts and 
resolves of the Massachusetts Legislature from 1691 to 1780, including 
those obsolete and repealed. Publication began in 1869. 

Acts of Trade. (See Navigation Acts.) 

Adairsville, Ga., scene of an engagement in the Civil War, May 17, 1864, 
between Sherman's forces and those of Joseph Johnston — one episode in the 
continuous fighting which marked Johnston's retreat from Dalton to Atlanta. 

"Adams and Liberty," a song written by Robert Treat Paine, Jr., which 
enjoyed great popularity during the time of John Adams' spirited resistance 
to French aggressions in 1798 and 1799. The air, formerly called "Anacreon 
in Heaven," is that now known as the " Star-Spangled Banner." 

Adams, Abigail (1744-1818), wife of President John Adams, daughter of 
Rev. William Smith, of Weymouth, Mass. She was a woman of great spirit, 
good sense, strength of character and patriotism. Her letters to her husband, 
published 1848, are interesting and valuable historically. 

Adams, Charles Francis (i 807-1 886), son of John Quincy Adams, was 
bom in Boston, but was in Europe most of the time till 181 7. Was gradu- 
ated at Harvard College in 1825, studied law, and married a daughter of 
Peter C. Brooks. He was a Representative in the Massachusetts Legislature 
from 1831 to 1834, and a Senator from 1835 to 1837. Heedited the Writings of 
John Adams, ten volumes, and was for three years the editor of a daily paper 



8 Dictionary of United States History. 

in Boston. Originally a Whig, he in 1848 became the candidate of the Free- 
soil party for the vice-presidency on the ticket with Van Buren. From 1859 
to 1 86 1 he was a member of Congress, and from 1861 to 1868 Minister of the 
United States in Great Britain. The relations of England to the United 
States during the Civil War made this post a very trying one, and Adams's 
cact, firmness and success were extraordinary. Few men performed services 
so valuable to the Union. Life by his son, C. F. Adams, Jr. a noted historical 
writer. 

Adams, Hannah (1756-1832), of Massachusetts, famous as one of the 
earliest feminine writers in America; wrote a History of New England, 1799, 
and a History of the Jews, 181 2. 

Adams, Henry (Brooks), born 1838, third son of Charles Francis Adams, 
as assistant professor of history at Harvard College (1870-187 7) stimulated 
historical instruction in American universities, and in 1 889-1 891 published 
a classic History of the United States under Jefferson and Madison. 

Adams, John (1735-1826), second President of the United States, was 
born in Braintree (Ouincy) Mass., October 19, 1735, the son of a small 
farmer. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1755, then taught school 
and studied law in Worcester. Taking up practice in Boston, he soon 
acquired prominence as a politician and writer, especially against the Stamp 
Act and other injurious acts of the British government. All his writings 
were spirited, terse, clear and pungent. In 1774 he was a delegate to the 
Continental Congress and was active in its work and that of the Provincial 
Congress of Massachusetts. In the Congress of 1775, he urged indepen- 
dence, and was made chairman of the Board of War. He was one of the 
committee of five which drew up the Declaration of Independence. After a 
brief mission to France in 1778, he was again sent out, in 1779, as one 
of the commissioners to negotiate a treaty of peace with Great Britain, 
which was signed in 1783. He also negotiated a loan with the Dutch. In 
1785 he was appointed the first Minister of the United States to Great 
Britain, in which capacity he showed himself, as always, active, bold and 
patriotic, but could not negotiate a treaty of commerce. Returning in 1788, 
he was in 1789 chosen the first Vice-President of the United States, and soon 
became, in opposition to Jefferson, a leader of the Federalist party. In 1797, 
he became President, with Jefferson as Vice-President, Timothy Pickering 
Secretary of State (1800, John Marshall), Oliver Wolcott Secretary of the 
Treasury (1800, Samuel Dexter), James McHenry Secretary of War (1800, 
S. Dexter), and Charles Lee, Attorney-General (1798, Benjamin Stoddert, 
Secretary of the Navy). The administration had many difficulties, arising 
partly from the unfriendly course of the French Directory toward the min- 
isters sent to them, (see Directory; Pinckney, C. C; X. Y. Z. Mission), partly 
from the Cabinet, partly from the rivalry of Hamilton, and partly from the 
President's own warmth of temper, vanity and hasty indiscretion in speech 
and writing. Popular with the mass of his party by reason of his integrity 
and patriotism, he alienated the leaders by concluding an agreement with 
France and by reconstructing his Cabinet. These dissensions, and the 
' unpopularity of the Alien and Sedition Acts (see arts.), gave the election of 



DicTiONAR\ OF United States History. 9 

1800 to Jeflferson and the Democrats. Adams retired to private life in 
Quiucy, Mass. In retirement he wrote much, vivaciously, often wittily, 
sometimes with impulsive bitterness, on public afiairs, past and current 
He became reconciled with Jefferson, and died on the same day with him, 
the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration, July 4, 1826. Lives by J. T. Morse 
and C. F. Adams. Writings edited by C. F. A. 

Adams, John Quincy (^uly 11, 1767-February 23, 1848), sixth Presi- 
dent of the United States, was the eldest son of John Adams. A boy of 
precocious talents, he was early taken abroad by his father, studied at the 
University of Leyden, and at fourteen began his public career as secretary to 
Francis Dana, Minister to Russia. He was graduated at Harvard in 1788, 
admitted to the bar in 1791, and at once began to write on public affairs. 
From 1794 to 1797 he was Minister to Holland; from 1797 to 1801, Minis- 
ter to Prussia. In 1803, the Federalists elected him to the U. S. Senate, 
Approving Jefferson's embargo, he became estranged from the Federalists, 
acted with the Republicans, and in 1808 resigned. In 1809, Madison 
appointed him Minister to Russia, and in 1814 he was one of the commis- 
sioners who negotiated the treaty of Ghent; he then became Minister to 
England. From 1817 to 1825, he was Secretary of State to President Mon- 
roe. In the election of 1824, though he received but eighty-four electoral 
votes to ninety-nine for Jackson, he was, by a coalition of his friends with 
those of Clay, chosen President by the House of Representatives. He 
appointed Clay Secretary of State; Richard Rush Secretary of the Treasury; 
James Barbour Secretary of War (1828, Peter B. Porter); Samuel L. South- 
ard Secretary of the Navy and William W^irt Attorney-General. Calhoun 
was Vice-President. A cry of " bargain and corruption " with Clay was 
raised, though without foundation. Adams' administration was marked by 
intelligence and firmness, and by extreme integrity in all matters, especially 
that of appointments, but was made a stormy one by the bitter attacks of his 
enemies in Congress and by his own unbending and pugnacious character. 
He favored protection and internal improvements at Federal expense. (See 
also art. Panama, Congress of.) He failed of re-election in 1828. In 1831, 
still vigorous at sixty-four, he entered Congress as an independent member 
for the Quincy district in Massachusetts, which he continued to represent 
till his death. A model legislator, active and efiicient in every valuable 
department of congressional business, his most memorable services were in 
behalf of the right of petition, threatened by the pro-slaver}' members, and 
in other assistance to the anti-slavery cause. (See also Broad Seal War.) 
He died at his post in the Capitol on February 23, 1848. Twelve volumes 
of his diary have been published, abounding in information and acute 
though censorious judgments on the events of his long public career, and in 
evidence of his high character and patriotism. Lives by W. H. Seward and 
J. T. Morse. 

Adams, Samuel (1722— 1803), orator, patriot and agitator, was born in 
Boston, a second cousin of John Adams, and studied for a time at Harvard 
College. Unsuccessful in busmess and in the office of tax-collector for the 
town of Boston, he soon began to take an active part in the Boston town- 
meetings. In 1764 he drew up Boston's early protest against Grenville's 



lo Dictionary of United States History. 

scheme of taxation. From 1765 to 1774 he was a member for Boston in the 
House of Representatives of Massachusetts, in which he was among the 
foremost in debate and as a writer of State papers. He was an adroit poli- 
tician, prudent, yet zealous and inflexible in his love of liberty. He led iu 
the protests against taxation without representation, and in 1770 secured 
from Hutchinson the removal of the troops from the city. He instituted the 
system of town committees of correspondence. From 1774 to 1781 he was 
a member of the Continental Congxess; he signed the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and had an important part in making the Massachusetts Constitu- 
tion of 1780. He was in 1781 a member of the Massachusetts Senate, and 
in 1788 of the State Convention which ratified the Constitution of the United 
States. Opposed to some of its provisions, he finally concluded to vote for 
it, which was of much influence upon others. In the party divisions which 
soon followed, he was of the Democratic-Republican party. From 1789 to 
1794 he was Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, from 1794 to 1797 Gov- 
ernor. Adams' public services, of the first importance in the earlier stages 
of the revolutionary struggle, became less valuable when the tasks of the 
hour were those of constructive statesmanship and administration, for which 
he had little talent; but perhaps no one did more to bring about the Revolu- 
tion. Lives by S. A. Wells and J. K. Hosmer. 

Addington, Isaac (1645-1715), secretary of the province of Massachu- 
setts from 1690 to 1715, and also successively Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas, Chief Justice of the Superior Court, and Judge of the Probate Court 
of Suffolk. 

Adalbert College was founded in 1826 at Hudson, O., under the name 
of Western Reser\'e College. In 1882 it was transferred to Cleveland, taking 
the name of a chief benefactor's son. The Medical Department was estab- 
lished in 1842; the Case School of Applied Science in 1881. All are con- 
sidered parts of Western Reserve University. 

Adet, Pierre Augusta (i 763-1 832), chemist and politician, was Minister 
of the French Republic (the Directory) to the United .States from 1795 to 
1797. Resigned in protest against actions of the American government 
which he regarded as violations of neutrality in the war then pending. 

Administrations. (See Cabinet.) 

Admiral. This grade in the U. S. Navy (as distinguished from vice- 
admiral and rear-admiral) was first established by Act of Congress on July 
25, 1866. There have been but two admirals; Farragut was commissioned 
in 1866, Porter on Farragut's death in 1870. On the death of Admiral Por- 
ter the grade became extinct, (1891.) 

Admiralty Courts. In the colonial period the governor of each colony 
was vice-admiral in his colony, and as such had the right of deciding mari- 
time cases, though often a judge was appointed by him for the purpose. 
The Constitution of the United States vests this jurisdiction in the Federal 
Courts. The District Courts judge such cases in the first instance. (See 
Prize Courts). 



Dictionary of United States History. ii 

Adventists, or Second Adventists. About 1833 Wm. Miller began to 
lecture on the second coming of Christ, predicting that it would occur in 
1842. Other dates were subsequently set; but at present the leaders of the 
sect content themselves with general prophecy of an early advent. In 1890 
the sect numbered 60,000 members. 

African Company, originating in an association formed at Exeter, England, 
in 1588, was chartered as a joint-stock company in 161 8. Under successive 
•charters it continued in existence till 1821, almost without interruption. In 
the period before the Revolution it was much engaged in the slave trade with 
the American colonies. 

Agamenticus (now York), Me., one of the settlements which Sir Ferdi- 
nando Gorges made as lord proprietary of the province of Maine. It was 
settled in 1621. In 1642 it received a charter of incorporation, under the 
name of Gorgeana. 

Agassiz, Louis J. R., (1807-1873), was born in Switzerland. In 1846 
he came to the United States, and remained here as professor of geology and 
zoology. In both these sciences he did work of inestimable value, and 
exerted great influence upon their development in America by his enthu- 
siasm, energy and organizing ability. 

Agrarians, the name sometimes applied to the "loco-foco" or "equal 
rights" party formed in 1835, and which denounced special privileges. 
Later the Abolitionists and Republicans were branded as Agrarians by the 
pro-slavery party. 

Agricultural Colleges. The first important institution of this sort in the 
United States was the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, estab- 
lished in 1857, though that of Pennsylvania was established in 1854. The 
Morrill Act of 1862 gave each State 30,000 acres of government land or its 
•equivalent, multiplied by the number of the State's senators and representa- 
tives, to found a college of the agricultural and mechanical arts. More than 
forty institutions of this sort have resulted. In 1890 the Federal subvention 
was increased. 

Agricultural Experiment Stations. The first government station of this 
sort was established at Middletown, Conn., in 1875. Professor W. O. At- 
water's success in conducting this station led to the establishment of others 
in different parts of the country. Nearly every State has one or more. In 
1892 there were fifty-three fully equipped experimental stations, employing 
in all about 400 trained specialists in conducting scientific investigations. 

Agricultural Societies. The first in the United States, the South Carolina 
Agricultural Society, was founded in 1784, the Philadelphia Agricultural 
Society in 1785, that of New York in 1791, that of Massachusetts in 1792. 
The first quasi-national society of this sort, the Columbian Agricultural 
Society, originated in a convention held in Washington in 1809. 

Agriculture, Department of, an executive department of the Federal 
government, the head of which, the secretary of agriculture, is a member 
of the Cabinet. The department was founded by Act of May 15, 1862. It 
was given equality with the other chief executive departments by the Act of 



12 Dictionary of United States History. 

February ii, 1889, and its bead became in 1889 a member of the Cabinet. 
The weather bureau was transferred to it from the Department of War in 1891. 

Aix-la-Chapelle, or Aachen, in Rhenish Prussia, is of importance in 
American history because of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, concluded in 
1748, which ended the War of the Austrian Succession (King George's War). 
The treaty restored Louisbourg and Cape Breton to the French, which gave 
great offence to the New Englanders, who had conquered these possessions. 

Akerman, Amos T., born in 1823, was District-Attorney for Georgia from 
1866 to 1870. He was Attorney-General of the United States in Grant's 
Cabinet from 1870 to 1872. 

Alabama, a Southern State; the ninth State admitted after the original 
thirteen. The region occupied by the State was originally a part of the 
territory of Georgia, though the southern portion was the subject of dispute 
with Spain, and indeed with the Federal government. In 1802 Georgia 
ceded all her western lands to the latter, and what is now Alabama became 
a part of the territory of Mississippi, organized in 1798 (1S04). The portion 
south of lat. 31° and west of the river Perdido was acquired by seizure during 
the war of 1812. During 1813 and 1814 occurred the war with the Creeks 
(see art.), whose defeat by General Jackson at Horse Shoe Bend caused them 
to concede nearly all their territory. Rapid settlement followed. In 1S17 
Mississippi became a State, the eastern portion of the territory being erected 
into the territory of Alabama. The name is Indian, and is said to mean 
"Here we rest." The population of the new territory, from but 33,000 in 
1817, grew to be 128,000 in 1820. On December 14, 1819, it was admitted 
as the State of Alabama. Of the population mentioned, 86,000 were whites 
and 42,000 slaves. Population, continuing to grow rapidly, reached nearly 
a million in i860, and in 1890 was 1,513,000. On Januar}- 11, 1861, Alabama 
seceded from the Union. The act of secession was revoked in 1865. 1867-68 
the State was under military rule. In 1868, under a new constitution, Ala- 
bama was declared by Congress to be restored to the Union. 

"Alabama," Confederate cruiser, was built by an English firm at Liver- 
pool expressly for the Confederacy, and, against the urgent remonstrances of 
the American Minister, was pennitted by the British government to escape 
(July 29, 1862). At Terceira she received from other English vessels her 
annament and crew, and set out, under Captain Raphael Semmes, to destroy 
the commerce of the United States (August 29). By the end of October she 
had made twenty-seven prizes. After a long cruise in the waters of the West 
Indies, Brazil and the East Indies, the "Alabama " came to the harbor of 
Cherbourg, France. Off this harbor, after a memorable fight, she was sunk 
by the U. S. steamship " Kearsarge," June 19, 1864, after having destroyed 
sixty-five vessels and $10,000,000 worth of property. 

"Alabama" Claims, claims of the United States Government against that 
of Great Britain, growing out of the depredations of the cruiser "Alabama " 
and other similar cruisers. May 13, 1861, the Queen had issued a proclama- 
tion of neutrality in the American Civil War, forbidding her subjects to take 
part with either combatant, and granting belligerent rights to both. Great 
Britain's Foreign Enlistment Act of 1S19 also forbids the equipment of any 



Dictionary of United States History. 13 

land or naval forces within British dominions to operate against any friendly 
nation. Nevertheless, the " Florida," "Alabama," " Georgia," " Shenandoah," 
and other vessels built in Great Britain, were allowed to escape, and as Con- 
federate cruisers inflicted enonnous damage on American commerce, nearly 
driving it from the seas. C. F. Adams, Minister to Great Britain, protested 
vigorousl)-. After the war the United States Government urgently pressed a 
claim for compensation. On January 12, 1866, it offered to submit the wliole 
controversy to arbitration. Great Britain proposed limitations unacceptable 
to the United States. A treaty negotiated by Reverdy Johnson providing for 
arbitration was rejected by the Senate. Finally a Joint High Commission, 
meeting at Washington in 1871, agreed upon the Treaty of Washington, 
which provided for arbitration of the Alabama claims and several other 
disputed matters bv a board of five arbitrators, appointed respectively by the 
President of the United States, the Queen of England, the King of Italy, 
the President of Switzerland, and the Emperor of Brazil. Those appointed 
were, in the above order, Mr. Charles Francis Adams, Sir Alexander Cock- 
burn, Lord Chief Justice, Count Federigo Sclopis, M. Jacques Staempfli, and 
Viscount Itajuba; Count Sclopis presided. The tribunal met at Geneva on 
December 15, 1871. It rejected the American claims for indirect damages, 
but decided that the government of Great Britain had been culpable in not 
doing more to prevent the sailing and success of the cruisers, and awarded 
to the United States the sum of $15,500,000 as damages. 

Alabama Historical Society. Founded in 1837 with its headquarters at 
Tuscaloosa, site of the State University. It has a large membership, but a 
poor library. 

Alamance, or Great Alamance, a creek in North Carolina, tributary to 
the river Haw. Here, in 1771, Governor Tryon, with 1000 militia, defeated 
3000 '' regulators," or rebels against the royal government, killing some 200. 
Out of a large number taken prisoners six were executed for high treason, 
and the insurrection was suppressed. 

Alamo, a fort at San Antonio, Tex., memorable for a siege and massacre 
in 1836, during the war of Texan independence from Mexico. Santa Anna, 
with from 1500 to 2000 Mexicans, besieged 140 Texans in the fort for two 
weeks. Finally, March 6, the fort, desperately defended, was taken by 
assault, only six of the defenders remaining alive. These six were at once 
butchered by order of Santa Anna, among them Colonel David Crockett. 

Alaska, a territory of the United States, formerly constituting Russian 
America. In 1741 Vitus Bering, sailing for the Russians, discovered the 
range of Mt. St. Elias. In 1783 the Russians established a trading-post on 
the island of Kadiak. In 1799, by consolidation of existing companies, the 
Russian-American Fur Company was organized, and from this time to 1862 
enjoyed a monopoly of trade in Alaska and the rule of the country. By 
treaty of March 30, 1867, the United States bought Alaska (area 580,000 
square miles) from Russia, paying $7,200,000 In 1884 Alaska was organized 
as a district, with executive officers appointed by the President, but without 
representative institutions. 



14 Dictionary of United States History. 

Albany, capital of New York. In 1614 a trading-post was established 
here by the Dutch, and called Fort Nassau, later Fort Orange, or New 
Orange. When the English took New Netherlaud, in 1664, they changed 
the name to Albany, in honor of James, Duke of York and Albany, the 
proprietor of the province. Albany was incorporated as a city in 1686, was 
the meeting place of the first colonial convention in 1754, and became the 
capital of the State in 1797. 

Albany Convention, 1754. At the instance of the Lords of Trade, com- 
missioners from the colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode 
Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland met at Albany 
on June 19, 1754, to arrange a treaty with the Six Nations. They also pro- 
ceeded to consider a plan of colonial union proposed by Franklin, a member, 
and adopted it. It provided for a president-general of all the colonies, with 
veto jjower, and a grand council, to consist of from two to seven members 
from each colony, chosen by the assemblies to serve three years. These 
should have power to control Indian affairs, to raise and equip forces for 
colonial defence, and to lay taxes therefor. The crown rejected the plan 
because it gave too much power to the colonies, the colonies because it gave 
too much power to the crown; but it was among the beginnings of national 
union. 

"Albany Regency," a name given to the group of politicians who, from 
1820 to 1854, managed the concerns of the Democratic party in New York 
State. Its power was founded on the system of nominating conventions and 
on the system of appointment to office as a reward for partisan services. Its 
chief members were Martin Van Buren, William L. RIarcy, Silas Wright, 
Edwin Croswell, Benjamin F. Butler and John A. Dix. Its position at the 
State Capital gave it its name. 

Albemarle, the first pennanent settlement in what is now North Caro- 
lina, was founded on the banks of the Chowan and the Roanoke by Roger 
Greene, in 1653, at the head of a small body of Dissenters from Virginia. 

" Albemarle," a Confederate ironclad ram which, in April and May, 1864, 
destroyed or disabled several of the Federal gunboats at the mouth of 
the Roanoke River, and captured Plymouth, N. C, with 1600 Federal pris- 
oners. On the night of October 27, Lieutenant Cushing, U. S. N., a youth 
of twentj'-one, in command of a torpedo launch, getting within twenty yards 
of the " Albemarle " before he was discovered, blew her up with a torpedo 
and made a miraculous escape. 

Albuquerque, New Mexico, an engagement in the Civil War, April 8, 
1862, the Federal Colonel Cauby attacking Albuquerque as a part of the 
operations by which he defeated General Sibley's attempt to conquer New 
Mexico for the Confederacy. 

Alcalde, the principal official in the local government of the earlier towns 
of California. The office was borrowed from the Spanish settlements, and 
was first introduced in the mining camps, where the miners made laws and 
elected officers to enforce them. 



Dictionary of United States History. 15 

Alcott, Amos Bronson (i 799-1888), a transcendental philosopher, noted 
as an original, ingenious and sympathetic teacher, and as a lecturer and 
giver of formal conversations. Resided at Concord all his latter years. Was 
the father of Louisa M. Alcott. 

Alden, John (1599-1687), the hero of Longfellow's "Courtship of Miles 
Standish," accompanied the Pilgrims from Southampton as a cooper. The 
youngest, of the Pilgrims, he afterward became a magistrate of the colony, 
and was such for more than half a century. 

Aldie, Va., scene of a fierce cavalr\- fight in the Civil War, June 17, 1863, 
Stuart's Confederate cavalry vainly assailing a part of Pleasonton's forces, 
during the great Confederate invasion of the North. 

Aldrich, Nelson W., Senator, born 1841, a business man, representative 
from Rhode Island from 1879 to 1881, was Senator from that State from 1881 
to the present time (1897). Senator Aldrich has had an important part in 
all recent financial legislation, and is an important authority on all matters 
of the tariff. 

"Alert," Sloop. (See "Essex.") 

Alexander VI., Pope from 1492 to 1503, (Rodrigo Borgia), by his bull of 
partition, Alay 4, 1493, divided the non-Christian world into two parts, Spain 
to have the western half and Portugal the eastern. The line of division was 
to be a meridian 100 leagues west of the Azores and Cape de Verde Islands. 
Afterward (1494) a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape de \'erde Islands 
was substituted. 

Alexander, son of Massasoit, King of the Pokanokets, chief after his father's 
death in 1660, died in 1662 at Plymouth. King Philip was his brother. 

Alexander, Archibald (1772-1851), eminent Presbyterian divine, born 
in Virginia, was president of Hampden-Sidney College from 1796 to 1801, 
and from 1812 to his death was professor of theology in the Theological 
Seminary at Princeton, and highly influential in relation to American theo- 
logical thought. 

Alexander, Sir William, called Lord Stirling (1726-1783), was born in 
New York City. In 1757 he laid claim before the House of Lords to the 
earldom of Stirling, but in vain. He became Surveyor-General of New York. 
In 1775 he became a colonel in the Revolutionary army, a brigadier-general 
in 1776, and a major-general in 1777. He distinguished himself at Trenton, 
Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. 

Alexandria, Va., was founded in 1749. When the District of Columbia 
was formed, Virginia's cession included this town. In 1814 it was captured 
and plundered by the British. In 1846 it was retroceded to Virginia. It 
was entered by the Union troops in 1861 under Colonel Ellsworth, who was 
shot while hauling down the Confederate flag. It subsequently became the 
seat of government of the Virginian counties which adhered to the Union. 

Alexandria Conference. On March 20, 17S5, two commissioners from 
Virginia, George Mason and Alexander Henderson, met three from Maryland, 



i6 Dictionary of United States History. 

Daniel Jenifer, Thomas Stone and Samuel Chase, at Alexandria, commis- 
sioned to treat concerning the jurisdiction over the waters between the two. 
After four days they adjourned to Mount Vernon at Washington's request, and 
separated on the twenty-eighth. They discussed commercial regulations, 
etc., and. their report to the Virginia Legislature caused the summons of the 
Annapolis Convention of 1786 and, indirecth", that of the Philadelphia Con- 
vention of 1787. 

Alexandria Government. After the secession of Virginia, April 17, 1861, 
the Union members of her Legislature, mostly from the western part of the 
State, met at Wheeling and organized a State government, which was recog- 
nized by Congress as the government of Virginia. Francis H. Pierpont was 
Governor. After the admission of West Virginia this Virginia government 
was transferred to Alexandria. President Johnson recognized it as the lawful 
government of Virginia. It continued in operation until the installation of 
military government in 1S67. 

" Algerine," in Rhode Island, in the times of the Dorr War, an opponent 
of Dorr; a member of the " Law and Order " party. 

Algerine War. Following the example of other Christian powers, in their 
dealings with the piratical governments of Northern Africa, the United States 
Government had, in 1795, signed a treaty with the Dey of Algiers, paying 
him a million dollars for the ransom of American captives and promising an 
annual payment of tribute. In 181 2 the Dey declared war against the United 
States. When the war of 181 2 with England was ended. Congress declared 
war on Algiers, and Commodore Decatur, with ten vessels, sailed against her. 
Such successes were obtained over the Algerine Navy that by the time 
Decatur reached Algiers the Dey was ready to submit. He signed a treaty 
giving indemnity, renouncing all claim to tributes or presents, and promising 
not to reduce prisoners of war to slavery. Decatur then exacted similar sub- 
mission from Tunis and Tripoli. 

Algiers. The treaty of 1795 with Algiers secured commercial privileges 
to the United States on the payment of tribute. By the treaty of September 
5, 1815, the United States secured from the Dey of Algiers exemption from 
tribute and release of captives from slavery, and indemnification for violation 
of tlie former treaty. This treaty was renewed a year later. All are obsolete 
by France's absorption of Algiers. 

Algonquins, a family of Indian tribes, bearing a strong resemblance to 
each other in manners and customs and language, which at the time of the 
beginning of English colonization numbered about a quarter of a million, 
and occupied, beside part of Canada, most of the area now in the United 
States east of the Mississippi and north of latitude 37°. They were in the 
hunting-and-fishing stage, tilling little ground, and nomadic. The chief 
tribes in the family, beside the Canadian members, were the Abenakis, 
Massachusetts tribes, Pequods, Narragansetts, Mohegans, Delawares, Nanti- 
cokes, Powhatan tribes, Pampticoes, Shawnees, west of the Alleghanies the 
Chippewas, Pottawatomies, Rliamis, Sacs, Foxes, Kickapoos and, west of the 
Mississippi, the Blackfeet and Cheyennes. 



Dictionary of United States History. 17 

Alien and Sedition Acts, two acts of Congress, passed by the Federalists 
in 1798, under the excitement of hostile relations with France and bitter 
feeling against the influence of the French Revolution. The Alien Act 
authorized the President to order out of the country all such aliens as he 
might judge to be dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States or to be 
plotting against them. The Sedition Act provided heavy fines and imprison- 
ment for any who should conspire to oppose the United States Government or 
laws, or who should print or publish any false, scandalous or malicious writings 
against the government. Congress or the President, intended to bring disre- 
pute or hatred upon them or stir up sedition. These laws were regarded by 
the Republican Party as unconstitutional, and subversive of the liberty of 
the press and of speech, and were denounced in the Kentucky and Virginia 
Resolutions. They expired in 1800 and 1801 respectively. 

Allatoona, Ga. During Sherman's march to the sea the Confederates on 
October 5, 1864, attacked Allatoona, where General Corse repulsed them after 
an heroic and desperate defence, losing one-third of his garrison. 

Allen, Ethan (1737-1789), born in Connecticut, removed in early life 
to Vermont, and was for the remainder of his life its most conspicuous 
citizen. He had an active part in the resistance of the " Green Mountain 
Boys" to the New York government. May 10, 1775, with a small force he 
captured Ticonderoga from the British. Crown Point and Skenesborough 
were also taken. For three years ensuing Allen was a captive with the British. 

Allen, Ira (i 752-1814), brother of Ethan, served in the Revolution and 
was the first secretary of the State of Vermont, also its treasurer and sur- 
veyor-general. Wrote a history of Vermont (1798). 

Allen, William Henry (1784-1813), was first lieutenant of the "United 
States" under Decatur when she captured the " Macedonian " in 1812. As 
commander of the " Argus " he distinguished himself by taking many prizes, 
but was killed in the fight with the " Pelican." 

Allen's Farm, one of the actions in the "Seven Days," June 29, 1862. 
The Federal General Sumner, having bivouacked at Allen's Farm on his 
retreat from Fair Oaks, was attacked here for two hours by the Confederate 
General Magruder. 

Allerton, Isaac (1583-1659), an important member of the company who 
came on the " Mayflower," and often business agent of the Pilgrims. Subse- 
quently disagreeing with them, lived at New Amsterdam and New Haven. 

Alliance. The only important alliance made by the United States was 
that with France, made by the treaty of February 6, 1778. Since 1776 
France had privately aided the Revolution with arms and supplies. The 
two treaties of 1778 provided for a defensive alliance in case Great Britain 
should declare war on France, and declared that no peace should be made 
until the independence of the United States was recognized, and then only 
by mutual consent. Each party guaranteed the other's possessions in Amer- 
ica, and the United States granted to France, when France was at war, more 
favorable treatment than should be accorded to the other belligerent. These 



1 8 Dictionary of United Statbs History. 

concessions were subsequently troublesome to the United States in 1793. (See 
art " France.") 

" Alliance," United States vessel, took part in the cruise of John Paul 
Jones and the " Bonhomme Richard," and was one of the two ships remain- 
ing in the Continental service when the Revolutionary- war ended. 

Alliance, Holy, the name given to an alliance of the absolute sovereigns 
of the Continent, concluded in 1815 at the instance of Czar Alexander I. 
Its object was the government of Europe by mutual concert based on the 
profession of Christian brotherhood. It ultimately tended toward the repres- 
sion of all liberal and revolutionary opposition to the existing political 
order. In 1823 the King of Spain invoked the aid of the other powers in 
suppressing the revolt of his South American colonies. President Monroe's 
enunciation of the "Monroe Doctrine," in his message of December, 1823, 
was a reply to this threatened movement. 

Allison, William B., Senator, was born in Ohio in 1829. He was a 
delegate to the Chicago Convention of i860, a Congressman from Iowa from 
1862 to 1871, and a Senator from 1873 to the present time (1897). -^^ ^^ 
several times been a prominent candidate for the Republican nomination for 
President, and is a high authority on all matters of national finance. 

AUston, Washington (1779-1843), one of the chief early American artists, 
studied and painted in Europe from 1801 to 181 8, after which he resided 
in Boston and Cambridge. He chiefly painted Scriptural subjects, and was 
eminent as a colorist. 

Almanacs. The first published in this country appeared at Cambridge, 
Mass., in 1639. It was compiled by William Pierce, mariner, and printed 
by Stephen Daye, and was called Afi Almanac Calculated for New Eng- 
land. It was the first book printed in the colonies. The first Boston 
almanac was published by John Foster in 1676. In Philadelphia the first 
appeared in 1686, edited by Daniel Leeds, and printed by William Bradford. 
In 1697, J. Clapp published an almanac in New York. Beginning with 
1700, Samuel Clough published the New England Almanac at Boston for 
eight years. It bore the traditional woodcut, professing to show what parts 
of a man's body are governed by the moon, etc.; it foretold the weather, 
eclipses of the year, etc. Nathaniel Ames^ Astrotiomical Diary and Almanac 
started at Boston in 1725, and continued half a century, with a circulation 
of 60,000. Poor Rickara''s Almanac, by Richard Saunders (Benjamin Frank- 
lin), continued by others as Poor Richard Improved, was issued from 1733 to 
1786. It was filled with homely maxims and pithy proverbial counsels and 
was very popular. Other early almanacs were: Father Abraham^s Abnanac, 
Philadelphia, 1 759-1 799; Isaiah Thomas' Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode 
Island, New Hampshire and Vermont Almanac, Worcester and Boston, 1775- 
1822; Webster's Calendar, or the Albany Almanac, 1784, the oldest family 
almanac published extant in the United States; the Virginia Almanac, Wil- 
liamsburg and Richmond, 1751-1829; South Carolina and Georgia Almanac, 
Charleston, 1760-1800; Gruber's Tow7i and Country Almanac, Hagerstown, 
Md., 1822-1877. Political almanacs began with the Whig Ahnanac, issued 
by Horace Greeley 1 838-1 855, continued since as the Tribune Almanac. 



Dictionary of United States History. 19 

The World Abnanac began 1868, the Herald Almanac 1872. The National 
Calendar edited by Peter Force at Washington, 1 820-1 836, was an exten- 
sive publication of general information. 

" Alta California," a weekly publication established at San Francisco, 
January 3, 1849, by Samuel Branuan. It was the first newspaper of any 
importance issued in California, and arose from a consolidation of the older 
journals, the Star^ and the Monterey Califorttian. The daily publication of 
this paper was commenced in 1850. It is published at the present time 
under the original name. 

Altamont, Tenn. On August 30, 1862, when Bragg was about invading 
Kentucky, the outposts of General McCook's division were attacked at Alta- 
mont by the Confederate General Wheeler. McCook retired. 

Alton, 111. In 1836 Elijah P. Lovejoy, an Abolitionist clergyman, began 
to publish an anti-slavery paper here. His press was twice destroyed by a 
pro-slavery mob. While defending his premises against a third attack iu 
November, 1837, he was shot and mortally wounded. 

Amana, a communistic society owning 25,000 acres of land seventy- 
four miles west of Davenport, la. The society was founded by some Ger- 
man emigrants, who settled near Buffalo in 1842. In 1855 they moved to 
their present home. The present society, numbering about 1500, is com- 
posed almost entirely of Germans, with a few Swiss and Pennsylvania 
Dutch. The base of its organization is religion; they are pietists and their 
religious head is supposed to receive inspiration directly from God, hence 
they call themselves " Inspirationists." The name Amana is taken from the 
Song of Solomon, iv. 8. 

Ambassador. Though the term ambassador was used occasionally in 
respect to the first diplomatic appointments made by the Continental Con- 
gress, from that time on, in accordance with the usual practice of republics, 
the United States have appointed no diplomatic representative of higher rank 
than envoys. In 1893, however, the higher grade was authorized by act of 
Congress, and Thomas F. Bayard was made Ambassador to Great Britain. 
Ambassadors were also appointed to France, Germany, Italy and Russia. 

Ambrister, a native of New Providence and an ex-lieutenant of British 
marines, who, together with Arbuthnot, a Scotch trader, was captured by 
Andrew Jackson, April 17, 1818, during his campaign against the Seminole 
Indians in Florida. These men were in league with the Indians in their 
raids against the States. They were both tried before an American court 
martial, Ambrister pleading gtiilty and begging mercy. Ambrister was shot 
and Arbuthnot hanged, though British citizens. 

Amelia Island, Ga., was colonized by settlers under General Oglethorpe 
in 1736. In 1739 a party of Spaniards landed on the island and killed two 
unarmed Highlanders. This was the first blood shed in the Spanish war. 
After the prohibition of the slave trade in 1S08 the island was a place of 
resort for pirates, smugglers and slave-traders, until in 181 7 President 
Monroe suppressed them. 



20 Dictionary of United States History. 

Amendments. It was one of the chief defects of the Articles of Con- 
federation that they provided no means for their amendment save by unani- 
mous consent of the thirteen States. Three proposals of amendment which 
would have usefully strengthened the articles, failed of obtaining this unani- 
mous consent. The Convention of 1787, summoned to amend the articles, 
made a new constitution instead. This provided for amendment on proposal 
by two-thirds of both Houses of Congress or by a convention, if ratification 
were secured from three-fourths of the States, through legislatures or con- 
ventions. In fact, all have come from Congress and been ratified by State 
legislatures. In 1788 several States, beginning with Massachusetts, suggested 
amendments when ratifying the Constitution. Hence came, in the first 
Congress, the proposals which brought into existence the first ten amend- 
ments. Of many proposed, only fifteen amendments have been ratified 
since the adoption of the Constitution. The first ten were ratified December 
15, 1791. They relate respectively to i, freedom of religion, speech and the 
press; 2, the right to establish State militia; 3, the quartering of troops in 
private houses; 4, the security of persons against unwarrantable searches and 
seizures; 5, capital crime; 6, criminal prosecutions; 7, trial by jury in com- 
mon-law cases; 8, bails, fiues and punishments; g, the relation of constitu- 
tional and natural rights; 10, powers reserved to the States. The series is 
thus of the nature of a bill of rights. The Eleventh Amendment was ratified 
January- 8, 1798. Under its provisions no citizen or citizens of a State 
of the Union, or of a foreign State, can prosecute a suit against any other 
State of the Union in a Federal court. This relieves the dignity of the 
State, but weakens the power of justice toward a citizen, and facilitates repu- 
diation by States. The Twelfth Amendment was ratified September 25, 1804, 
and settled a new method of electing the president and vice-president. 
Under its provisions, electors, chosen by the people, meet in their respective 
States and vote for the two highest officers by distinct ballots. If no candi- 
date obtains a majority the House of Representatives elects a president by 
ballot from among the candidates. The Thirteenth Amendment was ratified 
bv December 18, 1865. It provided that slavery should not exist within the 
United States and that Congress should make legislative appropriation for 
the enforcement of the article. This amendment was ratified by nineteen 
loyal States and eight of those engaged in the Rebellion. The Fourteenth 
Amendment was ratified July 21, 1868. It forbade the States to abridge the 
privileges of citizens of the Union, diminished representation in case the 
suffrage was thus restricted, closed offices to all persons who had engaged in 
insurrection or rebellion, and acknowledged the public debt. The Fifteenth 
Amendment was ratified March 30, 1870. It aflSnns that " the right of 
citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the 
United States, or by any State, on account of race, color or previous con- 
dition of servitude." 

America, so called after Amerigo Vespucci, who claimed to have first 
discovered and explored the coast of the mainland in 1497-98. The name 
probably originated from a little publication entitled Cosmographiac Intro- 
duction edited and issued by two scholars, Ringmann and Waldseemiiller, at 
the little college of St. Di^ in the Vosges country*. Ringmann is said to 



Dictionary of United States History. 21 ' 

have been an ardent admirer of Vespucius, and to have inserted in his pub- 
lication the four voyages of Vespucius. Tross, a bookseller of Paris, pro- 
duced in 1 881 a map dating as far back as 151 7, on which the name 
" America " appears. It is also found on Schoner's globe of 1515, and seems 
to have been generally adopted from these. 

American Antiquarian Society, founded by Isaiah Thomas at Worces- 
ter, Mass., in 181 2 for the purpose of illustrating the antiquities of the New 
World as a separate department of history. It has published several volumes 
of collections and of proceedings, including the " Archaeologia Americana." 

American Archives, a valuable collection of documentary materials 
respecting the events leading up to the Revolution. This publication was 
begun by Peter Force at Washington in 1833-34, under instructions from 
the government. It contains letters, debates, notices of public affairs, and 
essays on constitutional government, the whole forming a complete docu- 
mentary history of the colonies. The publication had included only nine 
volumes when appropriations ceased. Congress has never since continued 
this invaluable repertory. 

American Association for the Advancement of Science, the most import- 
ant among American scientific societies. Its organization was effected at 
Boston in 1847. Meetings have been held each year in some American city. 

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the oldest 
missionary society in the United States, organized June 29, 1810. It is an 
incorporated body with 250 members, and supports over 500 missionaries and 
many schools in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands. 

American Historical Association, founded at Saratoga in 1884, was incor- 
porated by Congress in 1889. It is now afl^liated with the Smithsonian 
Institution, and its papers are published by Government. Its meetings have 
mostly been held in Washington. It now (1894) numbers about 700 members. 

American Historical Society, founded in Washington in 1836. Its 
meetings were held in the House of Representatives at the Capitol, and the 
first president was John Quincy Adams. It published one volume of trans- 
actions. 

American Institute, a New York institution founded in 1828 to promote 
domestic industry. A charter was granted by the State Legislature. Annual 
exhibitions showing the progress of industr\-, invention and manufacture 
have been held. 

American Insurance Company vs. Canter, an important case in the 
U. S. Supreme Court, decided in 1828. An insured cargo of cotton, wrecked 
on the coast of Florida, was, by a decree of a territorial court, sold to satisfy 
the claim for salvage. The owners abandoned the cargo to the underwriters. 
Canter, having bought portions of the cargo, sold the same at auction in 
Charleston. The insurance company brought suit for recoverv, alleging 
imconstitutionality and want of authority in the Territorial Court of Florida. 
The district judge pronounced the decree of the Florida court a nullity. The 
Circuit Court, however, confirmed the decree of the Territorial Court and 
maintained Canter's claims. This judgment was also confirmed by the 



22 Dictionary of United States History. 

Supreme Court of the United States on the ground that the act of the Terri- 
torial Legislature of Florida, in erecting the Territorial Court, was not incon- 
sistent with the laws of the United States, and was therefore valid. The 
opinion of the court is of importance because of Judge Marshall's decision 
respecting the basis of the government of territories. 

American Party. Hostility to the political influence of foreigners showed 
itself in the fonnation of small and local nativist parties in New York and 
Philadelphia in 1835 and 1844. About 1852, when the old parties, Democratic 
and Whig, were obviously in a state of dissolution or re-formation, and when 
immigration had taken on large proportions, nativism revived. A secret, 
oath-bound fraternity, with numerous lodges, and with conventions which 
made nominations secretly, attained sudden importance. From the pro- 
fessions of ignorance with which its members met all questioning, they were 
called " Know-nothings." In 1854 the Know-nothings carried Massachusetts 
■and Delaware; in 1855, most of New England, New York, Maryland, Ken- 
tucky and California, and polled a large vote in the South, mainly from 
former Whigs. Their platform demanded more severe naturalization laws 
and the selection of none but natives for office. In national convention at 
Philadelphia in February, 1856, they nominated ex-President Millard Fill- 
more for the Presidency, and A. J. Donelson, of Tennessee, for Vice-President. 
But the slavery issue thrust all others aside, and the ticket received but 
874,534 votes in a total of over 4,000,000, and but eight electoral votes, 
those of Maryland. The party soon died out, though the Constitutional 
Union party of i860 was in a way its successor. Recently the American 
Protective League and other similar organizations have revived the nativist 
programme. 

American Philosophical Society, oldest among the American academies 
founded and conducted for the furtherance of science. It was established at 
Philadelphia in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin and his associates. Between 
the years 1771 and 1894 this society has published a series of its Transac- 
tions, numbering about twenty-five volumes, and about twenty volumes of 
Proceedings. These volumes contain valuable papers upon a great variety 
of subjects. 

American Republican Party, formed in New York in 1842, as the suc- 
cessor of the Native American Party of 1835. They demanded that public 
offices should be filled only by native Americans, and that naturalization 
should not be allowed until after a sojourn of twenty-one years in the 
country. It was a precursor of the Know-Nothing Party. 

" American Weekly Mercury," the third newspaper published in the 
United States. This journal was founded by Andrew Bradford, the first 
numbers appearing in Philadelphia in 1719. William Bradford was also an 
associate editor for a time, but he afterward removed to New York to continue 
his journalistic career. After Andrew Bradford's death in 1742, the publi- 
cation of the Mercury was continued with considerable success by his widow. 
Its general object was the " encouragement of trade," little space being devoted 
to local news. Foreign news, commercial statistics and custom house entries 




S<r Henry Hudson. 

Fernando de Soto. 
Jacques Cartier. 



DISCOVERERS AND EXPLORERS. 

Hetr\ando Cortez. 

Christopher Columbus. 

Robert Cavelier de la Salle. 



Amerigo Vespucci. 
Sebastian Cabot. 

Ponce de Leon. 



Dictionary of United States History. 23 

constituted its chief matter, although there were occasional literary comments 
and extracts from English classics. Publication was suspended about 1746. 

American Whigs, the first political party of America, came into exist- 
ence in the struggles preceding the Revolution. They resisted the arbitrary 
measures of King George III, and declared their independence of him. They 
opposed the Tories, the supporters of the crown in America, and after the 
Revolution confiscated the property of banished Tories. 

Americus Vespucius, lyatinized from Amerigo Vespucci (1452-1512), 
was born at Florence. He engaged in trade in the employ of the house of 
Medici, and became known as an expert astronomer, calculator and map- 
maker. He made four voyages to America, two in the Spanish, and two in 
the Portuguese service, and acted as the sailing-master. The first voyage in 
1497-98 was until recently confounded with the second voyage made in 1499— 
1500 along the northern coast of South America. In 1501-02 he visited the 
Brazilian coast, and in 1503-04 sailed in the same direction. He was pilot- 
major of Spain from 1508 till his death at Seville. To the region of his 
Brazilian discoveries he gave the name of Mtindus Novus. This was consid- 
ered to be a Qjiarta Pars, a " fourth part," added to the previously known 
world of the old maps; and a teacher of geography, Waldeesmiiller, in the 
town of St. Die, in Lorraine, proposed in 1507 the name America for the 
Quarta Pars. His little treatise, Cosniograpkiae Introduction spread the sug- 
gestion, and the name America came gradually to be transferred from Brazil 
to the entire Continent. 

Ames, Fisher (1758-1808), was born at Dedham, Mass. He was grad- 
iiated at Harvard, and soon acquired a brilliant reputation as a lawyer and 
political writer. He served in the Massachusetts Legislature, and made his 
mark in the convention which met in 1788 to ratify the Federal Constitution. 
From 1789 to 1797 he was Congressman from Massachusetts, and achieved 
^videspread fame as a Federalist leader and eloquent orator. Failing health 
compelled his retirement from public life, and he refused the presidency of 
Harvard College. 

Ames, Oakes (1804-1873), of Massachusetts, manufacturer. His firm 
carried on an enormous business in the manufacture of shovels, especially 
in the early days of the gold-finding in California and Australia. They had 
a large interest in the building of the Union Pacific Railroad, which they 
transferred to the Credit Mobilier. He was a member of Congress from 1862 
to 1873. He was censured by the House for his connection with the Credit 
Mobilier scandal. 

Amherst, Jeffrey, Lord (17 17-1797), soldier, was commissioned major- 
general by Pitt and sent to co-operate with Prideaux against the French in 
Canada. Took Ticonderoga in 1759. In 1760 he was appointed Governor- 
General of British America; in 1763 titular Governor of Virginia; and from 
1793 to 1795, commander-in-chief of the British army. 

Amherst College was founded by the Congregationalists in 1831. Its 
most famous presidents were Edward Hitchcock and Julius H. Seelye. 



24 Dictionary of United States History. 

Amidas or Amadas, Philip (1550-1618), English navigator, in 15S4 
commanded one of the ships in Raleigh's exploring expedition to the coast 
of North Carolina. 

Amistad Case, The. In 1839 the cargo of negro slaves on board this 
Spanish vessel bound for Puerto Principe from Havana, rose and killed the 
whites and took possession of the ship. The ship was seized by a U. S. war 
vessel off Long Island and carried to New London. The U. S. District 
Court of Connecticut decided that the slaves were "property rescued from 
pirates" and should be returned to their Spanish owners, under the treaty 
between the United States and Spain. The Supreme Court of the United 
States reversed this decision, declaring that the blacks, having been kidnapped 
from a foreign countr}', were free men and not bound by treaties with Spain. 

Amnesty. In 1862 Congress authorized the President to offer full pardon 
to all persons, excepting the most prominent movers in the Rebellion, who 
would swear an oath of allegiance to the United States. President Lincoln 
issued the first proclamation of amnesty December 8, 1863. On March 26, 
1864, a supplementary proclamation was issued. The next proclamation 
was issued by President Johnson May 29, 1865. A bill was passed in 1867 
repealing the act of 1862, but President Johnson ignored it, adhering to his 
constitutional right to pardon. On September 7, 1867, President Johnson 
issued another proclamation extending pardon to all but a few classes. July 
4, 1868, pardon was offered for treason to all, except those under indictment, 
and December 25, 1868, full amnesty to all. The Congressional Act of May 
22, 1872, removed political disability from all but the most prominent 
Confederates. 

Ampudia, Pedro de, Mexican soldier. As a general in the war with 
the United States, he unsuccessfully, but with great spirit, defended Monterey 
against General Taylor. 

"Amy Warwick," a vessel belonging to persons living in Richmond, and 
captured July 10, 1861, by the U. S. cniisers as " enemy's property." The 
vessel was at the time of capture on the high seas from Rio Janeiro to 
Richmond, laden with tobacco and not attempting to run the blockade. 
This capture first distinctly raised the question of the right of the United 
States to exercise war powers in suppressing the Confederacy. 

Anarchists. The Anarchists of the United States are almost entirely 
foreign born. Chief and best known among them is Johann Most, who 
edited the Anarchist paper Freiheit. Their greatest strength is in Chicago, 
where they incited a serious riot May 4, 1886. Several leaders were executed 
and others were imprisoned, but were pardoned in 1893 by Governor Altgeld, 
of Illinois. Popular reaction since 1886 has done much to decrease Anarch- 
istic tendencies. 

Anatomy Laws. Massachusetts in 1784 passed an act providing that the 
bodies of those killed in duels or executed for killing another in a duel 
should be given to the surgeons to be dissected. New York in 1789 passed 
a law punishing the disinterment of bodies for purposes of anatomy. Mass- 
achusetts in 1 83 1 passed the first liberal law for the benefit of anatomy 



Dictionary of United States History. 25 

passed in any English-speaking country, giving to the surgeons the bodies 
of criminals and of State paupers who died without leaving relatives. But 
the New York law of 1789 had given judges the power to order the dissec- 
tion of executed criminals as a part of their sentence. Most States have 
since 1831 passed acts more or less liberal to authorize dissection. 

Anderson, Joseph (i 757-1837), was a captain at the battle of Mon- 
mouth and the siege of Yorktown. Was U. S. Senator from Tennessee from 
1797 to 1815. 

Anderson, Martin B. (1815-1890), of New York, educator, was for some 
time a professor in Waterville College, and from 1853 was president of 
Rochester University. 

Anderson, Mary, born in 1859, actress, first appeared on the stage as Juliet 
in 1875; was always a great favorite in the Un..ed States and has been well 
received in England. 

Anderson, Rasmus Bjbrn, born in 1846, of Wisconsin, author, was pro- 
fessor of Scandinavian languages from 1875 to 1884. He was appointed 
minister to Denmark in 1885, and served until 1889. 

Anderson, Richard H. (1816— 1879), soldier, a graduate of West Point, 
served in the Mexican War. Joined the Confederates in 1861; became lieu- 
tenant-general, and commanded a division at Gettysburg. 

Anderson, Robert (1805-1871), of Kentucky, soldier, serv^ed in the Black 
Hawk, Florida and Mexican Wars. He was severely wounded at Molino 
del Rey. In November, i860, he took command of the troops and forts in 
Charleston Harbor. In December he withdrew all his troops to Fort Sumter, 
which, after a bombardment of thirty-six hours by the Confederates, he was 
compelled to evacuate April 13, 1861. 

Anderson, Fort, North Carolina, was garrisoned in 1865 by 6000 Confed- 
erates under Hoke. February 18 it was assaulted by fifteen Federal war 
vessels commanded by Admiral Porter and by a land force under Schofield 
and Terry. The attack from land and sea was simultaneous. The garrison 
fled almost immediately, leaving ten heavy guns and much ammunition. 
The national flag was raised the next day. 

Anderson Case. A negro named Anderson was found by Seneca Diggs 
wandering about his plantation in IMissouri without a pass, whereupon Rlr. 
Diggs arrested him as a fugitive slave. Anderson phmged a knife into his 
captor's heart and escaped, making his way to Canada, where he remained 
until i860, when the American government demanded that he be given up 
under the extradition treaty. Anderson was tried and discharged on a 
technical point. The eloquent speech of Mr. Gerrit Smith, the defendant's 
counsel, attracted widespread attention. 

Anderson vs. Dunn (1821), an action of trespass, brought for assault 
and batter\' and false imprisonment against Dunn, sergeant-at-arms of the 
House of Representatives, by Anderson, a member of the House, who was 
arrested by order of the House for a breach of privilege. The Supreme 



26 Dictionary of United States History. 

Court decided that the Constitution authorizes the House to punish its mem- 
bers for contempt, and judgment was affirmed for the defendant. 

Andersonville, Sumter County, Georgia, site of a Confederate military 
prison for Federal soldiers during the Civil War. The mortality of this 
prison was very great, 12,926 soldiers dying there. Henry Wirtz, a Swiss 
adventurer, the superintendent of the prison, was tried, after the war, by a 
military commission and hung for excessive cruelty, November 10, 1865. 
As to the culpability of the Confederate government, opposite views have 
been maintained. Andersonville is now the site of a national cemetery for 
Union soldiers. 

Andre, John (1751-1780), acting adjutant-general to Sir Henry Clinton, 
and the unfortunate victim of Arnold's treason. After varied experiences in 
the Revolutionary War he was sent by Clinton to arrange with Benedict 
Arnold the details of the latter's projected treachery'. The two conferred in 
secret near Stony Point, on the Hudson, and Andre started back to New 
York. When near Tarrytown he was stopped by three Americans, searched 
and delivered to the military authorities. A military court condemned him 
to death as a spy, and he was hanged at Tappan, across the river, on October 
2, 1780. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, and a monument was many 
years afterward erected in Tarrytown in memory of the affair. The three 
patriots, John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart, were rewarded 
by Congress. 

Andrew, John A. (1818-1867), the famous War Governor of Massa- 
chusetts, had become known as a lawyer and member of the Legislature, 
when in i860 he was elected by the Republicans as Governor. His years of 
office, 1861 to 1866, coincide with the Civil War period, and he was the 
heart and soul of the patriotic sentiment in the State. His services in 
equipping and forwarding the militia, in co-operating with other executives, 
and his advocacy of radical measures in the latter half of the war, entitled 
him to a conspicuous place in the group of " War Governors." 

Andrews, E. Benjamin, born in 1844, became president of Brown Uni- 
versity in 1889. He was a U. S. Commissioner to the International Monetary 
Conference at Brussels in 1892. He wrote "Institutes of General History," 
" Institutes of Constitutional History," and " Institutes of Economics." 

Andrews, Stephen Pearl (1812-1886), of New York, author, was an ardent 
Abolitionist, the founder of the present system of phonographic reporting 
and an accomplished linguist. 

Andros, Sir Edmund (1637-1714), was born in London, and was early in 
life a soldier and bailiff of the Island of Guernsey. He began his American 
career as Governor of New York in 1674-S1; to which in 1680 he added by 
seizure New Jersey. When his patron, the Duke of York, had become king 
as James II., he appointed Andros in 1686 Governor of the northern colonies, 
including New England and New York. Andros was arbitrary- in his head- 
quarters in Boston and elsewhere in New England, thoiigh the story of the 
" charter oak" of Connecticut is by some considered apocryphal. The over- 
throw of James II. led the people of Boston to depose Andros in April, 1689, 



Dictionary of Unitbd States History. 27 

and he was sent to England, but not tried. He was again Governor, 1692- 
98, tliis time of Virginia. 

Angell, James B., born in Rhode Island in 1829, educator, was professor 
of modern languages and literature in Brown University from 1853 to i860; 
editor of the "Providence Journal" from i860 to 1866; president of the 
University of Vermont from 1866 to 1871, since whicli time he has been 
president of the University of Michigan, except during 1880 and 1881, when 
he was Minister of the United States in China. 

Anian, Straits of, supposed by geographers and explorers of the sixteenth 
century to be the Northwest Passage to India. It was believed to have been 
discovered by Cortereal, a Spanish voyager, in 1500, and to have been named 
by him after three brothers, who accompanied him. It has been identified 
with both Behring Strait and Puget Sound. Many expeditions were sent in 
search of the strait during the sixteenth century. 

"Ann," a small vessel, which arrived at Plymouth in August, 1623, 
accompanied by the "Little James," and brought reinforcements to the 
Pilgrims. 

Annals of Congress. These annals were published by Gales and Seaton 
in 1834. They contain, in forty-two volumes, a complete record of the 
proceedings and debates from the first Congress down to May, 1824, besides 
valuable state papers, public documents and laws. 

Annapolis, Md., was founded in 1649 by Puritan refugees from Virginia 
and became the capital of the colony in 1689. It was first called Providence, 
but was incorporated as a city in 1696, and received its present name (after 
Queen Anne) in 1708. The U. S. Naval Academy was established here in 
1845. 

Anne (1664-1714), Queen of Great Britain from 1702 to 1714. In 1704 a 
proclamation of Queen Anne regarding the Colonial currency, ordered a 
uniform scale of legalized depreciation in the Colonial coinage system. A 
proclamation of Queen Anne in 171;, forced the slave trade upon the colonies, 
England having been granted the monopoly of this trade under the provi- 
sions of the treaty of Utrecht. (See Queen Anne's War.) 

Annexations. After the adoption of the Federal Constitution the different 
States ceded all the territories to the west of them and included in their 
original charters, to the Union. Many of these territories nominally extended 
to the Pacific coast, but in practice, only as far as the Mississippi River. 
Louisiana and the Floridas were then under Spanish dominion and thus the 
navigation of the Mississippi River was blocked, causing great inconveni- 
ence to settlers west of the Alleghanies. It had ever been the fixed policy 
of Spain to exclude all foreign commerce from this stream. She had refused 
to treat with Jay upon this point in 1780-82. In 1786 the United States 
withdrew its demand for a navigation treaty, but the clamorings of the 
western settlers caused their renewal, and, in 1795, Thomas Pinckney, Envoy 
Extraordinary', negotiated a treaty of friendship and boundaries, by which 
free navigation of the Mississippi was opened, as well as the port of New 
Orleans. In 1800 Spain retroceded Louisiana to France, to which country 



28 Dictionary of United States History. 

it had belonged until the peace of 1763. The treaty of 1795 was abrogated 
and the West was again in a ferment. It was proposed in the Senate that the 
President order out 50,000 militia and capture New Orleans. Instead James 
Monroe was sent to co-operate with Robert R. Livingston for the purchase 
of New Orleans in 1803. A prospective war with Etigland induced France 
to sell all Louisiana, and the purchase was negotiated for $15,000,000 on 
April 30, 1803, the treaty being signed by Livingston and Monroe for the 
Union, and Barbe-Marbois for France. By this step Jefferson obtained 
for the United States 1,171,931 square miles of territory, comprising Alabama 
and Mississippi south of parallel 31°, all Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, 
Nebraska, Dakota, Montana, Minnesota west of the Mississippi, most of 
Kansas, a large part of Colorado, and Wyoming. The Federalists angrily 
attacked this move of Jefferson as being utterly unconstitutional, and the 
President did not attempt to defend himself, but sought indemnity. Florida 
was next annexed. The United States claimed Florida, but Spain denied 
having ceded it to France with Louisiana. In 1810 the people of west Florida 
declared their independence. Governor Claiborne, of New Orleans, was sent 
by the President to take possession of Mobile and West Florida. In 1818 
Spain was much annoyed by a war with the Seminoles, and accordingly a treaty 
was concluded February 22, 1819, by which Florida was ceded to the Union 
in consideration of the payment of $5,000,000 for Spain in private claims by 
citizens of the States. Texas had been claimed by both France and Spain, 
but after the revolt of Mexico was in reality under Mexican rule. In 1836 
Texas seceded and declared herself free, defeating the Mexican General Santa 
Anna, but was not recognized by Mexico. The United States, England, 
France and Belgium recognized the new republic. Many politicians favored 
the annexation of Texas and in 1844 Calhoun, Secretary of State under Tyler, 
actually concluded a treaty to this effect, which was rejected by the Senate. 
After considerable manoeuvring and political intrigue, a joint resolution was 
passed in the Senate February 27, 1845, ^^^ "^ the House February 28, and 
Texas was admitted to the Union. As a result of the Mexican War and 
by the payment of $15,000,000 and $3,250,000 in claims of private citizens 
against Mexico, California, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and part of Arizona 
and Colorado, were added to the Union in 1848 (545,783 square miles). By 
the Gadsen Treaty in 1853 the southern part of Arizona, 45,535 square miles, 
was purchased from Mexico. Alaska, 577,390 square miles, was ceded to the 
United States for $7,200,000 on June 30, 1867, by Russia. 

Antarctic Expedition. In 1839 Captain Wilkes, of the U. S. Navy, con- 
ducted an exploring expedition toward the South Pole. He discovered in 
January-, 1840, a portion of a large continent in latitude 61° 30' S. and 
longitude 161° E. He traced the coast westward to longitude 101° E., but 
was prevented from landing by the ice. 

Anthony, Henry Bowen (1815-1884), was born at Coventr}', R. I., and 
died at Providence.' He was graduated at Brown University in 1833, and 
became the editor of the Providence Joiirnal and the most influential of 
New England journalists. He was elected Whig Governor of Rhode Island 
in 1849 and 1850. From 1859 to 18S4 he was uninterruptedly Republican 
U. S. Senator from Rhode Island, and was several times chosen president 



Dictionary of United States History. 29 

pro tempore of the Senate. His career there is among the longest on record. 
His valuable collection, the Harris Library, was left to Brown University. 

Anthony, Susan B., born in 1820, of New York, refonner, especially in 
matters connected with the civil status of women. In 1854 and 1855 she 
held conventions in every county of New York in favor of Woman Suffrage, 
and has done much to secure the passage of laws giving to women more 
control over their property than is pennitted by the common law. 

Antietam Creek, Md., one of the great battles of the war ; a two days' 
fight between the Federals and Confederates under McClellan and Lee, Sep- 
tember 16, 17, 1862. McClellan commanded 70,000 troops; Lee 40,000. 
The Confederates were stationed along the Antietam Creek, their flanks resting 
on the Potomac River, having placed strong guards at three of the four stone 
bridges which crossed the creek. Hooker's brigade was dispatched across 
the fourth and unguarded bridge to attack the Confederate flank, while the 
batteries of both sides kept up a continual fire. Scarcely more than a skirmish 
took place when darkness fell. At sunrise Hooker assaulted Jackson with 
some success, but reinforcements at that point forced him to give wa)-. The 
hottest of the fighting continued on this flank throughout the morning, con- 
stant reinforcements being sent to Jackson, and Franklin and Sumner coming 
up to assist Hooker. Burnside had early been ordered to capture the bridge 
in his front and cross to attack Lee's centre, but this he delated doing until 
he found it almost an impossibility. Finally, however, he succeeded, and 
crossing, he dislodged the Confederates, who were stationed upon the heights 
overlooking Sharpsburg. At this point Hill arrived with 2000 fresh Confed- 
erate troops, who, uniting with Lee, drove Burnside out and retook the heights. 
At night there was a mutual desistance, both sides having suffered severely. 
As Lee retreated, however, leaving 6000 prisoners and his unburied dead, 
McClellan is considered the victor. 

Anti-Federalists, a political party which first came into existence in 
opposing the ratification of the Constitution. Its leaders were George Clin- 
ton, Patrick Henry and others. Failing in this tliey were for a time utterly 
demoralized. During the First Congress this party showed itself but little, 
but in the first session of the Second Congress there were symptoms of an 
Anti-Federalist revival. They opposed Hamilton and his followers and 
gradually became champions of the strict construction of the Constitution 
and opponents to what they termed " monarchical " Federalism. After the 
rise of the " Republican " party under Jefferson the Anti-Federalists lost 
their identity in the advocacy of its principles (1793). 

Anti-Lecompton, the Congressional faction of the Democratic Party 
which opposed in 1858 the admission of Kansas to the Union under the pro- 
visions of the Lecompton slavery- constitution. Crittenden and Douglas led 
this faction in the Senate, Montgomer>' in the House. A vote was taken in 
the House April i, on the Crittenden-Montgomery resolution that the Lecomp- 
ton constitution should have the honest test of popular vote in Kansas before 
she should become a State. The Anti-Lecomptons won by a vote of 120 to 
112. 



30 Dictionary of United States History. 

Anti-Masonry. The Freemasons had in 1820 many prominent politi- 
cians among their members. In 1826 William Morgan, of Batavia, N. Y., 
threatened to reveal the secrets of the society. He was arrested and a judg- 
ment was obtained against him for debt. He was then carried to Niagara in 
a closed carriage and never again heard of. Accordingly, in the next town 
and county elections candidates refusing to resign from the Freemasons found 
a strong Anti-Mason vote polled against them. From being local, anti- 
masonry became widespread through New York, and finally affected national 
politics. In 1828 the National Republican Party of New York nominated 
State candidates who were not Freemasons, and an Anti-Masonic State Con- 
vention nominated candidates pledged against freemasonry. This party soon 
displaced the National Republicans as opponents of the Democrats in New 
York. Anti-masonry spread to other States and, notably in Pennsylvania and 
Vermont, strongly affected the elections. In New York, William H. Seward, 
Thurlow Weed and Millard Fillmore were Anti-Masonic leaders. John Quincy 
Adams had by this time lost control of the National Republicans and Clay 
was becoming popular. In their National Convention at Baltimore in 1831 
(the first of national nominating conventions) the Anti-Masons, hoping to 
force Clay, who was a Mason, out of the field, nominated Wirt and Ellmaker. 
But the National Republicans persisted in nominating Clay. Wirt and Ell- 
maker received the electoral vote of Vermont only. After this the Anti- 
Masons died out as a distinct national party, being absorbed by the Whigs. 
They continued to exercise some influence in a few States, however, for a 
time. 

Anti-Monopoly Party was formed May 14, 1884, at Chicago, demanding 
economical government, equitable laws, including an Interstate Commerce 
law, laws establishing labor bureaus and providing industrial arbitration, 
direct vote for senators, graduated income tax, payment of the national debt 
as it matures, and " fostering care " for agriculture, and denouncing the tariff 
and the granting of land to corporations. It joined later with the Green- 
back Labor Party under the name of the " People's Party." 

Anti-Nebraska Men, a name first given the Northern Whigs to dis- 
tinguish them from the Southern Whigs in respect to the Kansas-Nebraska 
bill. Their ranks were reinforced by Anti-Slavery Democrats, and though 
not a distinct party they gained control of the House in the Thirty-fourth 
Congress. They soon became the Republican Party. 

Antinomians, a sect originally founded by John Agricola, a disciple for 
a time of Martin Luther. He and his followers taught that the law was of 
no use or obligation under the dispensation of the Gospel. Antinomianism 
in the United States was preached by Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, an English 
woman, who came to Boston in September, 1634. She came for the sake 
of the spiritual comfort of the sermons of John Cotton and John WHieel- 
wright. These men she pronounced to be " under a covenant of grace," all 
other ministers "under a covenant of works." Mrs. Hutchinson and her 
disciples believed that good works availed nothing toward salvation. Wheel- 
wright, Vane, the young Governor of Massachusetts at the time, and others, 
upheld her. She was tried in 1637, and banished with W^heelwright and 



Dictionary of United States History. 31 

Aspinwall. A number of her followers were fined or otherwise punished, 
and the rule of the Puritan hierarchy was firmly established at the expense 
of freedom of thought and speech. 

Antioch College, Yellow Springs, O., was founded in 1852. Horace Maun 
was president of it. 

Anti-Relief Party, a political party in Kentucky opposing the relief of 
delinquent debtors and consequently the so-called Relief Party. This party 
was defeated by the Relief Party in the Gubernatorial contest of 1824, but 
regained control two years later. 

Anti-renters, a name given about 1840 to the tenants of the large estates 
in New York granted to patroons by the Dutch Company and James II. These 
tenants held deeds of the land, but paid rent annually, an arrangement which 
caused much dissatisfaction. In 1839, on the death of Stephen Van Rensse- 
laer, one of the principal landholders, his tenants refused to pay rent to his 
successor. Open revolt followed, sometimes attended by riot and bloodshed. 
Attempts to collect rents by military aid led to the Helderberg War. In 1847 
and 1848 the Anti-renters showed themselves as a political power in the State. 
The Court of Appeals in 1852 gave a decision in the main sustaining the 
tenants, and practically ended the anti-rent movement. 

Apaches, a nation of roving Indians belonging to the Athabascan family. 
They were early the terror of the Spanish, and since the annexation of their 
territory to the United States the tribe has given great trouble. Mangos 
Colorado for fifty years led large hostile bands, until finally killed in 1863. 
Later, attempts were made to remove the Apaches to a reservation in New 
Mexico. The plan was opposed by the whites on the frontiers, and led to 
the massacre of over 100 Apaches at Camp Grant, Arizona, April 30, 187 1. 

Appeals, Court of. (See Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture.) 

Appeals from Colonial Courts. (See Privy Council.) 

Appointing Power. In the Colonial period the Crown appointed the 
governors and councils, and the governors appointed most other officers. 
The new constitutions made at the time of the Revolution, because of fear 
of tyranny, usually lessened the appointing power of governors. The Con- 
tinental Congress appointed few officers. The Constitution of 1787 gives the 
President power to appoint all officers (subject to confirmation by the Senate), 
except such inferior officers as Congress may provide shall be appointed by 
the President alone, by the courts of law, or by the heads of departments. 
The participation by the Senate has led to much injurious collusion in 
appointments dictated by considerations of party politics, under the name of 
"the courtesy of the Senate." Presidents at first made appointments for 
fitness solely, and made no removals for political causes. But Jefferson first, 
and afterward, and more largely, Jackson, introduced that policy of partisan 
appointments and removals which is known as the " Spoils System." (See 
art. See also Tenure of Ofl[ice, Removals, and Civil Service Reform.) History 
by Miss Salmon. 

Appointment, Council of, a council of four members, instituted by the 
New York Constitution of 1777, whose function was to approve or disapprove 



32 Dictionary of United States History. 

of nominations to ofEce made by the Governor. They strengthened their 
powers in 1801, became an instrument of great abuse in the way of partisan 
appointments, and were abolished in 1S21. 

Appomattox, Va., the final battle, between the Confederates 35,000 
strong under Lee and the Federals numbering 100,000 under Grant, of the 
Richmond and Petersburg campaign of 1864—65. Lee's army was retreating 
as rapidly as its forlorn condition would permit, when, Crook and Sheridan 
having captured a Confederate provision train near Appomattox, Custer 
pushed on to that place and fought the wearied Confederates till dark. They 
were severely defeated and many prisoners were taken. This occurred April 
8, 1865. The following day, as Sheridan was preparing for a charge, the 
Confederates waved a white flag and Lee, after interchange of communica- 
tions, surrendered the army of Northern Virginia to Grant. The terms 
which Grant conceded were that both officers and men should be released on 
parole and should keep their horses, "because they would need them for the 
spring ploughing and farm work." 

Apportionment, the distribution of representation in the Federal House 
of Representatives and in the houses of the different State legislatures. It 
is sometimes used in a fiscal sense as applied to the allotment of direct taxes 
on the basis of population. As far back as William Penn's plan of general 
government for the colonies objection was made against equal representation 
of colonies. The Albany Plan of Union provided that each colony should be 
represented in the Grand Council by from two to seven delegates, according 
to the amount of taxes paid by each. In the Continental Congress the rule 
of equal representation prevailed, each State having one vote. This rule 
was retained in the Articles of Confederation, for long contentions over the 
matter showed that no other plan could win acceptance. In the Convention 
of 1787 there was long and bitter dispute over questions of representation. 
Finally it was settled that the Federal legislature should consist of two 
branches, that the States should be equally represented in the upper, or 
Senate, and that in the lower, or House of Representatives, each should 
have a number of members proportioned to the number of its free inhab- 
itants, plus three-fifths of the slaves. A provisional apportionment was 
inserted in the Constitution, and in 1790 a census was taken. Direct taxes 
were to be apportioned in the same manner as representation. The 
lower house should have no more than one representative for even,' 30,000 
inhabitants. This constitutional rule governed apportionments during 
seventy years, though the ratio was changed from time to time. Much 
debate arose over the question of fractional representation. In the Thirty- 
first Congress Vinton, of Ohio, moved to divide the representative popula- 
tion of the entire country- by 233 and that of each State by the quotient, 
assigning to each State representation for each full ratio and the remaining 
members necessary to make up 233 to the States having the largest fractions. 
This method has guided subsequent apportionments. Federal apportion- 
ments are made shortly after each decennial census, and the State apportion- 
ments are guided by the Federal. Methods of apportionment in diflferent 
States vary, however. (See Gerrymander.) 



Dictionary of United States History. 33 

Aquedneck, a settlement on Narragansett Bay, made in 1637, by a party 
of Antinomians under the leadership of William Coddington. It was made 
in anticipation of banishment from Massachusetts for upholding Mrs. Hutch- 
inson, the leader of the Antinomians. 

Arapahoes, a tribe of Indians residing at the headwaters of the Arkansas 
and Platte rivers. They have generally been friendly to the whites. 

Arbor Day, a day set apart by most of the States and Territories for 
planting trees. Arbor Day was inaugurated by the Nebraska State Board 
of Agriculture in 1874, the second Wednesday in April being the da_y set. 

Arbuthnot, Marriot (1711-1794), British admiral, was made vice-admiral 
and commander-in-chief on the American station in 1779 and co-operated 
with Clinton in the capture of Charleston in 1780. 

Archseological Institute of America. This society was founded at Boston 
in 1879, and has devoted the larger part of its interest to classical archaeology. 
Under the auspices of the institution, Mr. A. F. Bandelier was sent to New 
Mexico to study the Pueblos, and at the same time Ayme, American Consul 
at Merida, was commissioned to explore Yucatan. In 1885 the Ajnerican 
Journal of ArchcBology was started at Baltimore as the society's official organ. 

Archbishop. There have been in America no archbishops except those 
of the Catholic church. The first of these was John Carroll, bishop of Balti- 
more, made archbishop in 1808. 

Archdale, John, a Quaker, born in England, was, from 1694 for about 
two years. Governor of Carolina, into which he introduced the culture of rice. 

Archer, William S. (1789-1855), of Virginia, was a member of Congress 
from 1820 to 1835, and U. S. Senator from 1841 to 1847. 

Archive War. In 1842, after Texas had declared her independence of 
Mexico, the Texan seat of government was at Austin. During that year 
the Mexicans under Vasquez destroyed San Antonio and threatened Austin. 
The President fled to Houston and demanded that the government archives 
should be transferred to that city. This the citizens of Austin refused to 
allow. Vigilance and archive committees were appointed. In September 
the President sent Captain Smith and thirty-five men to take the archives 
by force. This was accomplished, but the citizens of Austin pursued the 
captors and recovered the archives, thus determining the permanence of the 
capital at Austin. 

Arctic Discoveries. Dr. Kane conducted the first American expedition 
in Arctic regions, sailing from New York in the "Advance," May 30, 1853. 
He penetrated Smith vStrait as far as Cape George Russell, and then returned 
to Van Rensselaer Harbor for the winter. Frequent excursions were made 
from this place, 125 miles of coast being traced to the North and East. 
Morton and another of Kane's company penetrated to Washington Land in 
latitude 82° 27', discovering an open channel which they named Kennedy. 
Kane returned in 1855, having been further North than any other explorer. 
He had to abandon his ship and go overland to the Danish settlements in the 
South, where he was met by a relief party. During i860 Dr. Isaac Hayes, 
3 



34 Dictionary of United States History. 

one of Kane's party, advanced as far as 8i° 35' north latitude, but was 
obliged to return, without having made any important discovery. Dr. 
Charles F. Hall, of Connecticut, led an expedition the same year in search 
of Sir John Franklin. He lost his boat and was obliged to return. He 
made, however, some important discoveries of Frobisher's expedition 300 ■ 
years before. Under Hall, the same year, another party found actual relics 
of Franklin's party, and learned from the natives that he had discovered a 
northwest passage before abandoning his ships. Hall spent five years among 
the Esquimaux. He then returned and organized a third party, which 
reached 82°, where Hall died. In 1881 Lieutenant Greely, of the U. S. 
Army, was sent to take charge of the American Signal Service Bureau at 
Lady Franklin Bay, it having been arranged that a relief expedition should 
be sent to him the following year. The first relief party, under Lieutenant 
Beebe, sailed in June, 1882, but could get no further than latitude 71° 20'. 
The second, under Lieutenant Garlington, 1883, was equally unsuccessful. 
In 1883 a third relief party was dispatched under Captain Winfield S. 
Schley, commanding the " Thetis " and the " Bear." The few survivors of 
the Greely party were found October 21, 1883, in an almost dying condition. 
Greely had reached in his explorations 83° 24' north latitude, the highest 
ever reached. In 1891 Lieutenant Peary conducted an expedition to Green- 
land under the auspices of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 
He reached latitude 82°, and showed the northern bounds of Greenland. 

Argall, Sir Samuel (1572-1639), came to Virginia in 1609, where his 
first public exploit was the abduction of Pocahontas in 1612. In 1613 he 
commanded an expedition which destroyed Port Royal, Acadia. He was 
deputy-governor of Virginia from 1617 to 1619, so distinguishing himself 
by tyranny and rapacity that he was recalled to England in the latter year. 

Argentina. The independence of Argentina was recognized by the United 
States in March, 1822, and by the Act of May 4, 1822, a mission to this gov- 
ernment was established. By the treaty of July 10, 1853, the navigation 
of the rivers Parana and Uruguay was secured to the United States under 
certain conditions. July 27, 1853, a favorable commercial treaty was con- 
cluded between the United States and Argentina. 

"Argus," an American war brig, Captain Allen. In cruising about the 
British Channel it destroyed twenty valuable merchantmen with cargoes 
valued at two million dollars. August 14, 1813, it was attacked by the 
" Pelican," eighteen guns. Captain Allen was mortally wounded. The 
American sailors, who were somewhat under the influence of captured wine, 
did not fight as well as usual, and after forty-five minutes' fighting, the vessel 
was surrendered. The "Argus " lost twenty-three men, the " Pelican " seven 
men. 

Arista, Mariano (1802-1855), Mexican general. In the war with the 
United States he commanded at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. He was 
elected president in 1850, but resigned in 1853. 

Arizona was organized as a territory in 1863, partly from territory' ceded 
by Mexico to the United States by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) 



Dictionary of United States History. 35 

and partly from the Gadsden purchase (1853). It was first visited by the 
Spaniards, Nizan in 1539, and Coronado in 1540. Jesuit missions were early 
established amon.i;^ the Indians. The population of Arizona in 1890 was 
59,620. (History by Bancroft.) 

" Ark," a vessel of 250 tons burden, which Lord Baltimore provided in 
1633 for his party of colonists for Maryland. The " Ark " sailed from Graves- 
end in October, 1633, accompanied by the "Dove," a small pinnace, and 
reached Point Comfort, Virginia, February 27, 1634. 

Arkansas was first settled by the French in 1685. It formed a part of 
the Louisiana cession and was included in the territory called Louisiana until 
1812 and then Missouri Territory imtil 1819, when it was organized as a 
separate territory, including the present Indian Territory. Arkansas became 
a State June 15, 1836, with its present boundaries. The State was steadily 
Democratic until the close of the Civil War. At first the opposition to seces- 
sion in 1 86 1 was very strong, but upon the call of President Lincoln for 
troops an ordinance of secession was passed May 6, 1861. The Federal 
troops captured Little Rock in 1863, and a loyal State government was 
organized. The State was re-admitted June 22, 1868. The Republicans 
controlled the State from this time until 1874. Two rival factions of that 
party caused an armed collision. Federal troops restored order and President 
Grant recognized Brooks, the Republican candidate, as Governor. A new 
Constitution was adopted in 1874, since which time the Democrats have con- 
trolled the State. The present Constitution dates from 1874. Arkansas had 
a population of 52,240 in 1S36 and 1,128,179 in 1890. 

" Arkansas Gazette," first newspaper published in Arkansas. The first 
edition, of less than one hundred copies, was issued at Arkansas Post, then 
the territorial capital, by William E. Woodruff, November 20, 1819. It is 
still continued. 

Arkansas Post, Arkansas, occupied during Grant's and Sherman's cam- 
paign along the Mississippi River by Churchill and 5000 Confederates. 
On the night of January 10, 1863, Sherman ordered McClernand to advance 
against this post with his Federal column, while Admiral Porter's gimboats 
shelled the Confederate rifle pits. January 11, an intensely cold day, the 
assault was successfully made. The fort was captured and 5000 prisoners 
taken. 

Arlington, Henry Bennet, Earl of (1618-1685). In 1673 Charles II 
granted to the Earl of Arlington and Thomas, Lord Culpepper, the entire 
territory of Virginia, for thirty-one years, at the yearly rent of thirty shillings. 
The patents entitled them to all rents and escheats and illegally authorized 
them to make conveyances in fee simple. Arlington was a member of the 
so-called " Cabal." 

Arlington, in Alexandria County, Virginia, the home of Mrs. Washington's 
grandson, G. W. P. Custis, and the birthplace of Mary R. Custis, afterward 
the wife of General Robert E. Lee. Through the marriage Lee came 
into possession of this estate. During the Civil War Arlington was confiscated 



36 Dictionary of United States History. 

by the national government, and has been since the close of that struggle 
erected into a national cemetery for Union soldiers. 

Armed Neutrality, an alliance formed in 1780-82, by nearly all the other 
maritime powers of Europe for protection against the continued British 
depredation on neutral commerce. The Armed Neutrality was suggested by 
the declarations of the Russian Empress in 1780, setting forth certain doc- 
trines of international law, familiarly summarized as " free ships, free goods." 
The United States agreed to conform to these articles October 8, 1780. 

Armistead, George (i 780-1818), of Virginia, soldier, distinguished himself 
at the capture of Fort George, Canada, in 1813, and by his successful defence 
of Baltimore in 181 4. 

Armstrong, John (i 758-1 843), was born at Carlisle, Pa., and died at Red 
Hook, N. Y. He served in the Revolutionary' War, and after its conclusion 
■wrote the first " Newburgh letters." Entering civil life he was Secretary- ol 
State in Pennsylvania and member of the Continental Congress, and was a 
U. S. Senator in 1800-2 and 1803-4. He was Minister to France from 
1804 to 1810. Appointed brigadier-general in 1812, in 1813 he entered the 
Cabinet as Secretary of War. His administration, despite some radical 
measures, was unsuccessful, and he was obliged to resign after the fall of 
Washington in 1814. 

Armstrong, Robert (1790— 1854), of Tennessee, soldier, was a captain of 
artillery under Jackson in the Creek War of 1813 and 1814, and distinguished 
himself at the battle of New Orleans. 

Armstrong, Samuel C. (1839-1893), was brevetted brigadier-general dur- 
ing the Civil War. He was eminently successful in the education and 
improvement of the negro and Indian races, being for many years head of 
the Hampton (Va.) Institute. 

Army. The army of the Revolution consisted of two elements, the Con- 
tinental army, organized by Congress, and the militia organized by the States. 
Though upon the average of the years from 1775 to 1781 the total amounted 
to about 60,000, there were often not more than half that number present 
with the colors. In 1783 this army was disbanded, and the United States 
maintained but a few hundred soldiers. Temporarily increased by the Indian 
wars of 1792 and by the troubles with France in 1798, it numbered only 
from 3000 to 5000 until the War of 1812. During a portion of that war the 
number of regular troops rose above 30,000, while the number of militia 
enlisted was 470,000. During the next thirty years the army averaged but 
gooo men. The regular troops enrolled during the Mexican War were about 
27,000, the volunteers 74,000. Then the regular army dropped again to 
10,000 men, later 12,000. During the first year of the Civil War the num- 
bers of the regular army rose to 32,000. But the number of militia and 
volunteers was vastly greater. Lincoln's first call of April 15, 1861, was for 
75,000 men for three months. Later enlistments were mostly for three years. 
At the beginning of 1862 the number of volunteers in the army was about 
550,000. During 1863, 1864 and 1865 it was about 900,000. At the close 
of the war the entire F'ederal army numbered a million men. The total 



Dictionary of United States History. 37 

number furnished first and last was 2,850,000. The commander-in-chief of 
tlie army at the beginning of the war was General Scott; from November, 
1861, to March, 1862, General McClellan; from July, 1862, to March, 1864, 
General Halleck; during the remainder of the war General Grant. The 
leading sub-divisions of the Union army were, in the East, the Army of the 
Potomac; in the West, those of the Mississippi, the Tennessee and the Ohio, 
all finally united under vSherman. The most important sub-divisions of the 
Confederate army were the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of 
Tennessee. Conscription was employed in the filling up of both Union and 
Confederate armies. The Confederate forces at the beginning of 1862 num- 
bered about 320,000; during 1863, 1864 and 1865 they averaged about 450,000 
men. Early in 1865 General Lee was appointed commander-in-chief of all 
the Confederate forces. In 1867 the "peace establishment" of the regular 
army was fixed at 54,641 men. It was then reduced by successive enact- 
ments till, in 1875, it was brought down to 27,000 men, at which figure, 
approximately, it has ever since remained. The army expenditures of the 
government in time of peace were, down to the Mexican War, from one to 
five or six millions per annum. Recently they have been from $35,000,000 
to $45,000,000. 

Arnold, Benedict (1615-1678), of Rhode Island, was elected to its presi- 
dency upon the retirement of Roger Williams in 1657, and under the royal 
charter of 1663 was its first Governor. (See art. Mill at Newport.) 

Arnold, Benedict (1741-1801), general and traitor, was born at Norwich, 
Conn. He was in business in early life, as a druggist, and in other lines. 
When the Revolutionary War broke out he was appointed colonel by the 
Massachusetts Congress. Served as a volunteer in the famous capture of 
Ticonderoga, and leaped into fame by his masterly conduct of the right wing 
in the attack on Canada in 1775. He led the columns amid extraordinary 
hardships and difficulties through the Maine woods, arrived in November and 
was wounded in the assault of Quebec on December 31. Having been made 
brigadier-general he was defeated by a British flotilla at Valcour Island in 
Lake Champlain in October, 1776, but effected a skillful retreat. His services 
were slighted by Congress, but he contributed to the repulse of Tryon in 
Connecticut. He was at last made a major-general and took a brilliant part 
in the Burgoyne campaign. He dispersed St. Leger's force at Fort Stanwix, 
and commanded the left wing at the first battle of Saratoga. Although 
Gates' jealousy caused him to be superseded, he fought gallantly without 
orders in the second battle and ended his military career in a blaze of glory. 
He next commanded in Philadelphia, was court-martialed on trivial charges 
and reprimanded by Washington. Obtaining the charge of West Point he 
intrigued with Clinton for the betrayal of that post to the British, but the 
capture of the negotiator, Andrd, frustrated the scheme, and to Arnold there 
fell only a brigadier-generalship in the British army, a sum of money, pred- 
atory attacks on Virginia and New London, and eternal infamy. The 
remainder of his life was passed in England. (Life by I. N. Arnold.) 

Arnold, Isaac N. (1815-1884), of Illinois, lawyer, was a Republican mem- 
ber of Congress from 1861 to 1865. He was intimate with Abraham Lincoln, 
of whom he published a biography, one of the best. 



38 Dictionary of United States History. 

Arnold, Samuel G. (1821-1880), of Rhode Island, was Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor of that State in 1852 and in 1861 and 1862, and U. S. Senator from 
December, 1862, to March, 1863. In i860 he published what is still the 
standard history' of Rhode Island. 

Aroostook Disturbances. In 1838 a band of lawless men, chiefly from 
New Brunswick, trespassed upon that territory which is watered by the 
Aroostook, and which was then claimed by both Great Britain and the 
United States. The Governor of Maine drafted troops and drove off the 
intruders. The President sent General Winfield Scott to the Aroostook 
country. He arranged that it should be occupied as before, each governmeut 
holding part, while the other denied its legal right. (See Ashburton Treaty.) 

Arsenals. At the beginning of the Revolution no arsenals existed in the 
United States, but in 1776 powder was manufactured in Virginia, and brass 
cannon were cast in Philadelphia. An arsenal was established at Carlisle, 
Pa., the same year, and a foundry- and laboraton,- at Springfield, Mass., on 
the recommendation of General Washington. This was the origin of the 
present national armor)'. The arsenal at Harper's Ferry was commenced in 
1795, and continued in use until the Civil War. In 1838 the Ordnance 
Department was placed in charge of arsenals and armories. At the begin- 
ning of the Civil War there were twenty-three arsenals and armories, and 
their number has since been greatly increased. 

Artaguette, of Louisiana, French soldier under Bienville, while leading 
an assault on the Chickasaw forts on the Mississippi River in June, 1736, 
was taken prisoner and burned at the stake. 

Arthur, Chester Alan (October 5, 1830-November 18, 1886), twenty-first 
President of the United States, was born at Fairfield, Vt. He was grad- 
uated at Union College in 1848, and taught school for some years. He 
then studied law and practiced in New York City, obtaining local reputation 
as a champion of the rights of colored people in the city. He had been 
active in the State militia, and at the outbreak of the Civil War he joined 
Governor Morgan's staflT. As engineer-in-chief, acting quartermaster-general 
and inspector-general, he performed notable services in the Rebellion. He 
was energetic in local politics, and was in 187 1 appointed Collector of the 
Port of New York, from which position he was removed by President 
Hayes in 1878. After the bitter contest for the RejDublican nomination in 
1880 had ended in the choice of Garfield, Mr. Arthur was selected for the 
second place on the ticket as a representative of the Stalwart faction. He 
became Vice-President in 1881, was suddenly called to the first position 
by the assassination of Garfield, and took the oath of ofl5ce on September 20, 
1881. The imfavorable apprehensions caused by his active interference in 
New York politics during his short term as Vice-President were happily 
allayed by his administration, which was on the whole dignified and con- 
servative. Among his acts was the emphasis placed by him on the strength- 
ening of naval defence, his veto of a Chinese immigration bill, and a veto 
of a portentously large river and harbor bill. He was in 1884 a candidate 
for the Republican nomination for President, but was defeated by Mr. 
Blaine. He retired from oflSce in 1885, and died in New York City. 



Dictionary of United States History. ■ 39 

Artillery. In the United States the present field artillery of the army 
consists of ten mounted batteries, two to each regiment of artillery. The 
other ten batteries of each regiment are armed and equipped as infantry and 
serve mostly in forts and garrisons along the seaboard. During the War of 
181 2 field batteries were created by mounting foot batteries from the artillery 
regiments. In 1836 Captain Ringgold organized a field battery, for the 
artillery branch had been neglected since the War of 1812. The systems of 
field and siege artillery were chiefly derived from France. In 1820 there 
were four regiments of artillery. In the Civil War three field batteries were 
attached to each division of the Army of the Potomac. The introduction 
of the Parrott gun in 1861 greatly strengthened the artillery. 

Asbury, Francis (i 745-1 81 6), missionary bishop of " the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in the United States," was consecrated in 1784, and became 
one of the most indefatigable and successful evangelists ever known. 

Ashburton, Lord, Alexander Baring (i 774-1848), English banker and 
diplomatist, became in 1810 the head of the banking house of Baring 
Brothers & Co. , the financial agent of the United States during the War of 
181 2. In 1842 as special Minister to the United States he negotiated with 
Daniel Webster the "Ashburton Treaty," which settled the Northeastern 
boundary between the British provinces and the United States. 

Ashburton Treaty, was a treaty negotiated between Great Britain and 
the United States by Lord Ashburton and Daniel Webster at Washington in 
1842. It adjusted the boundary between the United States and the British 
possessions on the Northeast, the United States securing about seven-twelfths 
of the disputed territor)'. The mutual extradition of criminals and arrange- 
ments for the suppression of the slave trade were stipulated. 

Ashe, John (1720-1781), of North Carolina, soldier, equipped a regiment 
at his own expense and joined Lincoln's army in 1778, was defeated at Brier 
Creek and captured at Wilmington in 1781. 

Ashland, Ky., was noted for many years as the home of Henry Clay. 

Ashmun, George (1804-1870), of Massachusetts, was a member of the 
General Court in 1833, 1835, 1836 and in 1841 was Speaker of the House, 
was U. S. Senator in 1838 and 1839 ^^^'^ ^ Representative from 1845 to 1851. 
In i860 he was president of the convention which nominated Lincoln. 

Asiento. Under one of the provisions of the treaty of Utrecht, 1713, the 
English South Sea Company had the contract (asiento) for the annual trans- 
portation to Spanish America of not less than 4800 negro slaves. This 
contract had formerly been accorded to a company of French merchants. 
Its possession by the English stimulated the English slave trade to the 
English colonies. 

Aspinwall, William H. (1807-1875), of New York, merchant. In 1850 he 
secured the contract for building the Panama Railroad, which was com- 
pleted in 1854, its eastern terminus being named Aspinwall. 

Assemblies, Colonial. (See Legislatures.) 



40 Dictionary of United States History. 

Assessments, a term used in a political sense to denote contributions 
levied upon office-holders and candidates of different political parties by 
Congressional, State and municipal committees to defray the expenses of 
canvasses and elections. The precise date of the introduction of this prac- 
tice into politics is not known, but it is now a general custom, and is in some 
States, as New York, thoroughly systematized. The first specific instance of 
this sort of assessment was found in the Swartwout investigation before the 
House Committee of the Twenty-fifth Congress. A deputy collector of New 
York testified to having been called upon to contribute under pain of being 
reported to the general committee of Tammany Hall. It is now the custom 
for political committees to send circulars to all public officers requesting a 
certain percentage of their salaries for election expenses. The Republican 
campaign of 1880 was largely aided in this way. The main motive for 
payment seems to be fear of losing office. There has been no radical remedy 
for this system proposed by Congress, though in 1881 a bill was introduced 
" to prevent extortion from persons in the public service, and bribery and 
coercion by such persons." 

Assiniboins, a tribe of Dakota Indians, in Montana and Manitoba. They 
separated from the Yankton Sioux after a bitter quarrel, about the beginning 
of the seventeenth century. 

Associated Loyalists, a Tory society formed in New York in 1780 at 
the instance of the British government and independent of the orders of the 
British commander. It was called the " Honorable Board of Associated 
Loyalists," and was in reality a band of licensed outlaws. They continually 
raided the shores of New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island in piratical 
expeditions, and were in league with the rebel freebooters, often exchanging 
prisoners with them. Dr. Franklin's son, the Tory Governor of New Jersey, 
was the leader of the society. 

Associated Press, an association organized in 1848-49 by a number of 
New York newspapers, for the purpose of conveniently and inexpensively 
collecting and transmitting news. Its organization was suggested subse- 
quently to the establishment of the first telegraph line between Washington 
and Wilmington, Del., and because of the delay in receiving dispatches, 
owing to the limited lines. The first members of the association were 
the New York Sicn^ the Herald^ the Tribtme, the /o2if-?ial of Conunerce, 
the Courier and Inquirer and the Express. Contracts for lower telegraph 
rates were arranged with the companies and other newspapers were admitted 
to the association. In 1880 355 newspapers were served by this association 
and a total number of 611,199,630 words were transmitted. 

Association, American, an association formed among the American 
colonists in 1774 to enforce their claim of rights against the British govern- 
ment. Fourteen articles were agreed to, pledging the associators to an entire 
commercial non-intercourse with Great Britain, Ireland and the West Indies, 
denouncing the slave trade and appointing committees to detect and publish 
the names of violators of the articles. The association was formed against 
such acts as the Sugar, Stamp, Tea and Quartering Acts and the Boston 
Port Bill. 



Dictionary of Uinited States History. 41 

Assumption. In 1790 Alexander Hamilton, then Secretary of the 
Treasury, in his plans for restoring the nation?! credit, proposed that the 
national government should assume the payment of the State debts con- 
tracted in the national cause during the Revolutionary War. Massachusetts, 
Connecticut and South Carolina enthusiastically favored the plan. The 
Middle States were divided, Pennsylvania holding off. New York and New 
Jersey favoring Hamilton. Virginia was the strongest opponent of the 
scheme, she having partially liquidated her debt by funding securities at a 
depreciated rate, and by selling Kentucky lands. Mar^dand, Georgia and 
New Hampshire also opposed it. The measure was near passage by Con- 
gress, when the North Carolina delegates took their seats and cast their votes 
against it. Later Hamilton secured its passage by effecting a combination 
with those who desired to have the Federal capital placed on the Potomac. 
August 4, 1790, an act passed by which State debts to the amount of $21,- 
500,000 were assumed by the Federal government. 

Astor, John Jacob (1763-1848), merchant, came from Germany to Amer- 
ica in 17S3. Founded the American fur trade in which he manifested 
far-reaching enterprise and acquired immense wealth. 

Astor, William B. (1792-1875), of New York, capitalist, as a partner 
with his father (John J.) acquired great wealth, with which he richly en- 
dowed the Astor Library and other public institutions. 

Astor Library, founded in New York City by John Jacob Astor, and 
opened in 1853. He bequeathed $400,000 to the library, and this has been 
increased by bequests of $200,000, and $450,000 by his son, William Black 
Astor, and his grandson, John Jacob Astor. 

Astoria, Ore., was founded by the Pacific Fur Company in 181 1, and was 
for a long time the chief fur-trading post of the West. In 1813 the British 
government took possession of the town and named it St. George. Astoria 
was restored to the United States after the conclusion of the War of 181 2. 

Atchison, David R. (1807-1886), of Missouri, U. S. Senator from 1843 'o 
I'^^SS) 'was a leader of the pro-slaver\- faction in the Kansas troubles of 
1856 and 1857. 

Atherton, Charles G. (i 804-1 853), of New Hampshire, a member of 
Congress from 1837 to 1843, ^^ which he introduced the rule known as " the 
Atherton gag" (see " Gag rule "). Senator from 1843 to 1849 and from 
1852 till his death. 

Atherton Company, a land company formed in 1659 by Humphrey 
Atherton, of Massachusetts. The company purchased lands from the Indians 
along the west side of Narragansett Bay. When the boundary line between 
Connecticut and Rhode Island was decided in 1662, their territor^• was, at 
their request, placed under the government of Connecticut. In 1665 the 
Royal Commission forced the company to return its lands to the Indians on 
repayment of their price. 

Atkinson, Edward, born in 1827, ^^ Massachusetts, economist, is author 
of many pamphlets on banking, the currency, foods, the tariff, and the 
labor and other social questions. 



42 Dictionary of United States History. 

Atlanta, capital of Georgia, was laid out in 1845 and incorporated in 
1847. During the Civil War the city was the centre of important military 
operations. It was the scene of a sanguinary engagement July 22, 1864, 
between Sherman's army of the Tennessee numbering three corps and 
Hood's corps of Johnston's army, 45,000 strong, in which the Confederates 
were defeated and driven back to their intrenchments within the town. 
Atlanta was afterward besieged by Sherman and captured upon Hood's 
abandoning it, September 2, 1864. In the battle of July 22, Hood began 
the attack by falling upon Hardee on Sherman's left. JVIcPherson gained a 
position upon a high hill, commanding the very heart of the town, and then 
the fight went on all along the line. Battery F, Second United States, was lost 
in a sharp skirmish on a country road and McPherson, riding to its assistance, 
was killed. The battle lasted over four hours. At four o'clock Hood 
plunged into the remnant of McPherson's line and drove it back 400 }ards, 
carrying two important batteries in the face of a murderous fire. Schofield's 
batteries were hurried up to maintain this desirable position and aid the 
Fifteenth Corps to regain its lost ground at any cost. This move was success- 
ful. Hood retreated to his intrenchments having lost all his guns except 
the two advance ones. Sherman lost 3722 men and Hood many more. 
Atlanta became the capital of Georgia in 1878. 

Atlantic Cable, was projected by Cyrus W. Field in 1854. In that year 
he obtained a charter from the Legislature of Newfoundland for a fifty 
years' exclusive right to the laying of a cable from Newfoundland to Great 
Britain and from the Continent of America to Newfoundland. The New 
York, Newfoundland and London Telegraph Company was occupied two 
years in completing the connection between America, at Cape Breton, and 
Newfoundland. In 1856 Field organized the Atlantic Telegraph Com- 
pany. The first two attempts at connecting the two continents, in 1857 and 
the first time in 1858, failed. The third attempt, late in 1858, was success- 
ful but lasted only a few months. Then the Civil War suspended operations. 
In 1865 the "Great Eastern" laid 1200 miles, when the cable snapped. In 
1866 two thousand miles were safely covered and the Atlantic Cable was 
established. 

Attainder. During the Revolution bills of attainder were frequently 
passed by State Legislatures, and were productive of much evil. Accord- 
ingly, the Constitution provided that neither Congress nor the State Legis- 
latures should thereafter pass any such acts. 

Attorney-General. Colonies and States had their Attome5S-General 
before 1789. The Judiciary Act of that year, organizing the Federal judiciary 
under the new Constitution, provided for an Attorney-General of the United 
States, to act as government counsel, with a salary of $1500. At first he 
had little to do, and could practice for himself; but he was always a member 
of the Cabinet. In 1858 he was provided with an assistant. In 1861 he 
was given charge of U. S. district attorneys and marshals. In 1870 the office 
was organized as the Department of Justice. (For a list of the Attorneys- 
General see Cabinets.) 



Dictionary of United States History. 43 

Attacks, Crispus, of Massachusetts, a mulatto, the first killed in the 
"Boston Massacre "of March 5, 1770. His funeral was conducted with 
great public ceremony. 

Auditors of the Treasury. The auditor was, from 1782, the third officer 
of that department. The first auditor dates from September 2, 1789; the 
second auditor from March 3, 1817; the third auditor from March 3, 1817 
(appointed in lieu of the Accountant of the War Department, created by Act 
of Congress, May 8, 1792); the fourth auditor and fifth auditor, March 3, 
1817; the sixth auditor, July 2, 1836. 

Audubon, John J. (i 780-1851), an American naturalist, born in Ivouis- 
iana, was devoted especially to ornithology. His magnificent work, the 
*' Birds of America," brought him great fame and admission to membership 
in many learned societies. 

Augur, Christopher C, born in 1821, soldier, served in the Mexican War 
as aid to General Caleb Cushing. In 1861 he was appointed major; as 
brigadier-general commanded a division at Cedar Mountain, where he was 
severely wounded. He was made major-general in 1862. Commanded the 
left wing of the army at Port Hudson. After the close of the war he was 
commandant of various military departments. Retired in 1884. 

Augusta, Me., was founded as " Cushnoc " shortly after 1629. ^^ was 
devastated in the second Indian War and was not again permanently settled 
nntil 1754. It was incorporated in 1787, and became the capital in 1832. 

Augusta, Fort. In 1720 a certain Dr. Noyes erected at his own expense 
a strong fort on the Kennebec River, in Maine, which he called Augusta. In 
1756-57 Colonel James Burd built a fort at Shamokin, in Georgia, and called 
it Augusta. It was for the protection of the colonists against the Indians, 
and was garrisoned by the king's troops. It was attacked by the Indians in 
1764, but without success. 

" Augusta Chronicle," the second newspaper established in Georgia. It 
was first issued by J. E. Smith, in 1785, at Augusta. It was afterward 
consolidated with the Constihilioitalist and called the Chronicle and Consti- 
lutionalist^ under which title it is still published daily, tri-weekly and weekly. 

Aurora, a Dutch communistic settlement on the Oregon and California 
rivers, twenty-nine miles south of Portland, Ore. It is also called Dutch- 
town, and was founded in 1855 by Dr. Keil, a Prussian, who had also estab- 
lished the Bethel community in Missouri in 1844. 

Austerfield, a small hamlet in the north of Yorkshire, England, whence 
■came a number of the Pilgrims, the most notable among them from this 
town being William Bradford, who was born at Austerfield in 1590. 

Austin, Benjamin (1752-1820), of Massachusetts, merchant, a political 
pamphleteer during the Revolution and writer of man\' fierce newspaper 
articles against the Federalist Party during the administration of John Adams. 

Austin, Stephen F. (about 1 790-1836), of Texas, pioneer. Obtaining from 
the Mexican government the confirmation of a grant to his father of land 



44 Dictionary of United States History. 

in Texas, he induced a large number of Americans to emigrate thither. 
In 1835 he became commander of the Texan Revolutionists and went to 
Washington to secure recognition from the Government of the United States. 
He died soon after his return. 

Austin, Tex., was chosen as the capital of the Republic of Te.xas in 
1839. For a brief period in 1842 this position was disputed with Hoxiston, 
but Austin retained it, and since the annexation of Texas in 1845 has been 
capital of the State. 

Austria- Hungary. A commercial treaty was concluded between the 
United States and Austria-Hungary in 1829. A convention relative to 
disposal of property was concluded in 1848, another relative to extradition 
in 1856, and a third concerning the rights, privileges and immunities of 
consuls, July 11, 1870. By a convention concluded September 20, 1870, the 
rights of naturalization were recognized of citizens of both countries after a 
residence of five years and legal naturalization. A convention relative to 
trade-marks was concluded November 25, 1871. 

Avalon, the name of a colony established in Newfoundland in 1623 ^Y 
George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore. He visited the colony himself in 1627, 
remaining there a few weeks. The colony was established under the royal 
charter and was so called after Avalon, in Somersetshire, England. Subse- 
quently Calvert, becoming dissatisfied with this colony, obtained the grant 
which resulted in the founding of Maryland. 

Averell, 'William 'W., born in 1832, of New York, cavalry officer, was 
ordered to frontier duty in 1857, where he saw much Indian fighting. In 
1861 as colonel he commanded the cavalr}' in the defence of Washington. 
In March, 1863, he began the series of cavalry raids in Virginia and West 
Virginia that have made him famous. He attained the rank of brevet 
major-general. 

Averysboro, N. C. Near this place on March 15, 1865, Slocum's divi- 
sion of Sherman's Federal army encountered 9000 Confederates under 
Hardee, who was marching to join Johnston. Hardee was posted in a 
swampy neck, and the Federals, after a severe conflict, succeeded in dislodg- 
ing him. Tliey, however, suflTered most in killed and wounded. Hardee 
retreated in the night toward Smithfield. 

Ayllon, Lucas Vasquez de (d. 1526), Spanish adventurer, was a member 
of the Superior Court of Santo Domingo. He sent an expedition to 
Florida in 1520 under Gordillo, who landed in latitude 33° 30'. In 1526 
he sailed himself, landed at Santee, proceeded northward and founded a set- 
tlement on the later site of Jamestown, which was soon abandoned. He 
died there. 

Ayres, Romeyn B. (1825-1888), of New York, soldier. In the Civil War 
he took part in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg, and in the final movement against Richmond. 

Azilia, Margraviate of, a grant secured by Sir Robert Montgomery in 
1717 from the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. It included the districts 
between the Altamaha and Savannah rivers. 



Dictionary of United States History. 45 



B. 

Babcock, James F. (1809-1874), of Connecticut, journalist, was a prom- 
inent Whig till 1854, when he joined the Republicans, whose war policy 
he ably supported in the Palladium^ but afterward joined the Democrats. 

Babcock, Orville E. (1835-1884), officer of engineers, was at the siege 
of Vicksburg in 1863, and was an aide to General Grant from 1864 till 1869. 
He superintended the construction of many public works in Washington. 

Bache, Alexander Dallas (1806-1867), of Philadelphia, scientist, is best 
known by his valuable work as superintendent of the Coast Survey, which 
office he held from 1843 till his death. 

Bache, Sarah (1744-1808), of Philadelphia, only daughter of Benjamin 
Franklin, was active in aid of the suffering soldiers in 1780, having more 
than 2000 women sewing for the army under her direction. 

Backus, Isaac (1724-1806), of Massachusetts, was pastor of a Baptist 
church in Middleborougli from 1756, and for thirty-four years a trustee of 
Rhode Island College, now Brown University, and an influential delegate to 
the Massachusetts Convention of 1788. He wrote a history of the New 
England Baptists. 

Bacon, Leonard (1802-1881), of Connecticut, was pastor of the First 
Congregational Church in New Haven fifty-seven years, and was one of the 
founders of the New Englander and The Indepeiidcnt. 

Bacon, Nathaniel (about 1630-1677), was born in England, and became 
a planter in Virginia and member of the Governor's council. The disaffection 
with Governor Berkeley's measures found a natural leader in Bacon, who had 
conducted in an efficient manner a threatening Indian war. Bacon, pro- 
claimed a rebel in May, 1676, was tried and acquitted, and was soon in 
command of an expedition against the Governor, in the course of which 
Jamestown was burned. The revolutionary party seemed to be in the 
ascendant, but the sudden death of Bacon was soon followed by its collapse. 

Bacon's Rebellion. In July, 1676, Governor Berkeley, of Virginia, had 
become exceedingly unpopular because of his inefficiency in protecting the 
settlers from Indian ravages, his tendency to restrict the franchise and 
institute high tax rates. The people therefore, led by Nathaniel Bacon, a 
popular lawyer, took up arms, ostensibly against the Indians, but in reality 
in order to resist the Governor and bring him to terms. Berkeley was 
compelled to make concessions, dismantle the forts, dissolve the old assembly 
and issue writs for a new election. But he did not keep faith with the 
insurgents. Consequently a desultory war broke out in the course of which 
Jamestown, then the capital of the colony, was burned. Berkeley was 
forced to take refuge on some English vessels. Bacon died in 1677 and the 
Rebellion ended for want of a leader. 

Badeau, Adam, born in 1831, soldier, was severely wounded at Port 
Hudson in 1863. He was military secretary to General Grant from 1864 to 



46 Dictionary of United States History. 

1869, and consul-general at London from 1870 to 1881. He published a 
book on Grant's military career. Died 1895. 

Baden. A convention for the extradition of criminals was concluded 
between the United States and Baden, January 30, 1857. By treaty in 1868 
a naturalization agreement was reached between the two countries. 

Badger, George E. (1795-1866), of North Carolina, was four years in the 
State Legislature and five years a Judge of one of its Superior Courts, — 
was Secretary of the Navy under President Harrison, 1841, and U. S. Senator 
from 1846 to 1855. He was a member of the Secession Convention of 1861, 
in which he spoke ably in defence of the Union. 

Bailey, Gamaliel (1S07-1859), of New Jersey, journalist, an active anti- 
slavery agitator. From 1836 to 1844 he, with James G. Birney, published 
the Cincinnati Philant/tropist, whose publication office was three times sacked 
by a mob, and, from 1847 till his death, the National Era at Washington, in 
which " Uncle Tom's Cabin " originally appeared. 

Bailey, Joseph (1827-1867), of Wisconsin, militar>' engineer, as lieutenant- 
colonel accompanied the anny under General Banks in the Red River 
Expedition, in which he distinguished himself by conceiving and executing 
in twelve days the celebrated dam by which he saved Admiral Porter's fleet 
and for which he received the thanks of Congress and the brevet rank of 
brisjadier-cjeneral. 

Bailey, Theodorus (i 805-1 877), naval officer, was active in the Mexican 
War on the Pacific Coast, and was second in command in Farragut's fleet 
which captured New Orleans in 1862. 

Bainbridge, William (1774-1833), commodore, began life as a sailor at 
the age of fifteen, and had several impromptu encounters with British vessels 
before he was appointed to the navy in the war with France, 1798. In the 
Tripolitan War in 1803 he commanded the " Philadelphia," which in 1804 
was wrecked. Bainbridge was held in captivity for over a year by the 
Tripolitans. His great exploit was in the War of 1812, when as com- 
mander of the famous " Constitution " he defeated and captured the British 
"Java," December 26, 1812. His later service was in the navy yards, in 
Mediterranean ports and as naval commissioner. 

Baird, Henry M., born in 1832, of New Jersey, was graduated at the 
Universit\' of the City of New York in 1850. Afterward studied in Greece. 
In 1859 became professor of Greek in Princeton College; subsequently a 
professor in the University of the City of New York. He has written 
valued histories of the Huguenots. 

Baird, Spencer F. (1823-1887), of Washington, D. C, naturalist, in 1S78 
he succeeded Professor Joseph Henry as secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution, and from 1871 was U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, 
for his work in connection with which he received several medals and deco- 
rations from foreign powers, and membership in many learned societies. 

Baker, Edward Dickenson (1811-1S61), attained distinction in Illinois 
as an eloquent orator, a lawyer, and Whig Congressman in 1843-49. He 



Dictionary of United States History. 47 

commanded a brigade in the Mexican War, and afterward settled in Cali- 
fornia. Removing to Oregon he was a Republican U. S. Senator in 1861. 
He was a colonel in the Civil War, and while commanding the Federal 
troops in the unfortunate battle of Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861, he was 
killed in front of his men. 

Baker, Lafayette C. (1826-186S), as Chief of the U. S. Secret Service 
during the Civil War, displayed great daring and energy, and frustrated many 
conspiracies against the government. 

Balboa, Vasco Nunez (1475-1517), a Spanish soldier. He discovered 
the Pacific Ocean on September 25, 1513. Four years later he was charged 
with contemplated revolt and was beheaded. 

Baldwin, Abraham (1754-1807), of Georgia, was chaplain in General 
Greene's army from 1777 till the close of the war. As a member of the 
Legislature of Georgia he was the originator of the University of Georgia 
and was its first president. Was in Congress from 1785 to 1799, a member 
of the Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787, and U. S. Senator from 
1799 till his death. 

Baldwin, Henry (i 780-1 844), represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. 
Congress as a Federalist from 181 7 to 1822. He was a Justice of the U. S. 
Supreme Court from 1830 to 1844. 

Baldwin, Roger S. (1793-1863), of Connecticut, jurist, in 1839, jointly 
with John Ouincy Adams, argued the " Amistad " case before the U. S. 
Supreme Court. He was Governor of Connecticut in 1844 and 1845. 

Ball, Thomas, born in 1819, of Massachusetts, sculptor, has executed 
statues of almost all the public men of the United States, the noblest being 
that of Webster in Central Park, New York City. 

Ballot. The first instance of the use of the ballot in American elections 
was in the choice of a pastor by the Salem Church on July 20, 1629. In 1634 
it began to be used in elections of the Governor of Massachusetts. In 1639 a 
ballot with some restrictions was instituted in the fundamental orders of 
Connecticut. In 1629 the ballot was used in some municipal and ecclesias- 
tical elections in the Netherlands, and seems not to have been used in 
England. It may, therefore, have been introduced by imitation of the 
Dutch, but this is not yet proved. Voting by ballot was made obligatory by 
the constitutions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina, adopted 
in 1776. Open voting long prevailed in some of the Southern vStates, 
but the ballot system has long been generally in vogue except in Kentucky, 
where the viva voce method prevailed till 1890 for local and State elections. 
Representatives in Congress are elected by ballot under the provisions 
of an Act of CongTess of 1875. In Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Ken- 
tucky, Louisiana, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and 
Texas, there is a constitutional provision requiring the Legislature to vote 
viva voce. In 1888 the Australian ballot system was adopted at Louisville, 
Ky., and in Massachusetts. With more or less variation in the form a large 
majority (37) of the vStates have now (1894) followed this plan of voting, the 
exceptions being the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Idaho. 



48 Dictionary of United States History. 

Ballou, Hosea (i 771-1852), of Massachusetts, clergyman, prominent in 
the Universalist denomination, and pastor of one of its churches in Boston 
for more than tliirty-five years. 

Ball's Bluff, Va. Here, October 22, 1861, Colonels Baker and Devens, 
with 1900 Federal soldiers of McClellan's army, fell in with a Confederate 
ambush and were utterly routed. Devens had been sent to- reconnoitre and 
capture, if possible, a supposed Confederate camp near Leesburg. The 
camp could not be found and Devens sent to Stone, his superior, for further 
orders. Baker was sent to join him, arriving in time to share the defeat. 
The Confederates fought from the shelter of the woods. The Federal troops 
were driven over the Bluff and many killed in a hand-to-hand fight, among 
them Colonel Baker, ex-Senator from Oregon. 

Balmaceda, Jose M. (1840-1891), was President of Chili from 1886 to 
1891. During the Chilian Revolution U. S. Minister Egan favored the gov- 
ernment of Balmaceda, and incurred the displeasure of the provisional 
government, or congressional opposition. 

Baltimore. (See Calvert.) 

Baltimore, Md., was founded in 1729-30. At the outbreak of the Revo- 
lution it had 6000 inhabitants. In 1777 a mob assailed a Tory editor (God- 
dard). In 181 2 there was a more serious outbreak against a Federal paper, 
Hanson's Federal Republican. In 1814 the British were repulsed from the 
city in the battle of North Point and the bombardment of Fort McHeniy-. 
On April 19, 1861, a body of Federal troops on their way to Washington were 
attacked in Baltimore by a mob and a number of citizens and soldiers were 
killed. On May 13 General Butler took militar>' possession of the city. He 
was succeeded by General Banks and later by General Dix. Population in 
i860, 212,418; in 1890, 434,151. 

Bancroft, Edward (i 744-1820), an American of literary- and scientific 
tastes residing in England, during the Revolutionary War, through friend- 
ship with Deane and Franklin obtained information which he sold to the 
British government. 

Bancroft, George (1800-1891), the most famous American historian, 
was born in Worcester, Mass., the son of a clergyman. He was gradu- 
ated from Harvard College and studied extensively in Germany. Return- 
ing, he taught, and became active as a Democratic politician. In 1834 he 
published the first volume of a history of the United States, which speedily 
attained enormous popularity. The volumes appeared successively from this 
time to 1882. Under Polk Bancroft was Secretar}' of the Navy, 1845-46, 
established the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and caused the seizure of 
California. F~rom 1846 to 1849 ^^^ '^'^s Minister to Great Britain; from 
1867 to 1874 to Germany. His history is still the most important history 
of the United States by a single author. The last portion was separately 
published as a History of the Formation and Adoption of the Constitution. 
His narrative is learned, picturesque and ardently patriotic. 

Bancroft, Hubert H., born in 1832, from youth a resident of California, 
has gathered an enormous library of material relating to the history of the 




COLONIAL GOVERNORS. 

James Oglethorpe. Peter Stuyvesant. 

Sir Henry Vane. Jos, ah Winslow. 

Williann Penn. 

Lord Baltimore. John Winthron. 

Marquis de Montcalm. Sir Walter Raleigh, Capt. John Smith. 



Dictionary of United States History. 49 

Pacific Coast, and published in thirty-nine volumes a comprehensive and 
valuable history of the same. 

Bandelier, Adolph F. A., born in Switzerland in 1840, has distinguished 
himself as a student of American archseology, as an explorer for the 
Archoeological Institute of America in New Mexico, Arizona, Mexico and 
Central America, and as a writer upon these subjects. 

Bank of North America, chartered by Congress at Philadelphia, Decem- 
ber 31, 1 781, upon the suggestion of Robert Morris. It also received a 
charter from Pennsylvania in 1783. Morris believed this national bank would 
relieve the financial situation. 

Bank of the United States vs. Halstead. This case came before the 
Supreme Court of the United States on a certificate of division from the Cir- 
cuit Court of Kentucky in 1825. Certain property, including real estate, 
was exposed to sale for debt, but, less than three-fourths of its appraised value 
being bid, it was not sold. The Supreme Court decided that it had jurisdic- 
tion in a case to which the Bank of the United States was a party, and that 
a law which forbade sales of land under execution for less than three-fourths 
of its appraised value did not apply to writs of execution issued by Federal 
courts. 

Bank of the United States vs. Planters' Bank of Georgia, an impor- 
tant Supreme Court case. This was a suit brought by the Bank of the 
United States for payment of a promissory note of which it was the endorsee 
for the Planters' Bank of Georgia. The State held stock in the latter bank. 
The case was tried in the Circuit Court where there was a division of opinion 
as to jurisdiction. The Supreme Court decided in 1824 that if a State 
became a party to a banking or commercial enterprise, the State could be 
sued in the course of the business; also that the Circuit Court had jurisdic- 
tion in such matters. 

Bankruptcy. The Constitution of the United States gives Congress power 
to establish uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcy throughout the United 
States. This power has been exercised but three times. On April 4, 1800, a 
bankrupt act was passed by Congress, which remained in force until repealed 
in December, 1803. Another was passed on August 19, 1841, and rejsealed 
in 1843. The third, called the Lowell Act, was passed on March 2, 1867, 
and repealed in 1878. During the remainder of our history all matters 
relating to bankruptcy have been under the control of State laws. 

Banks. Nearly all the colonies emitted paper money (bills of credit), and 
frequently these bills were issued under the forms of banking. The English 
government opposed these schemes. In 1781 the Continental Congress 
chartered the Bank of North America, but its power to do so was doubted, 
and the bank was chartered by Pennsylvania in 1783. Up to 1791 the only 
banks in the United States were this and two others, one in Boston and one 
in New York. In 1791, at the instance of Alexander Hamilton, vSecretary 
of the Treasury', Congress, against considerable opposition, incorporated the 
Bank of the United States, with a capital of f 10,000,000. The United 
States was to subscribe $2,000,000 of this. The charter was to run twenty 
4 



50 Dictionary of United States Histoky. 

years. The bills of the bank were to be receivable in payment of dues to 
the government, and it had the power to establish branch banks. The 
power of Congress to incorporate such a bank was denied by Jefferson and 
others. But Hamilton argued that such powers were implied in the very 
nature of a sovereign government, and were conferred by the clause in the 
Constitution giving Congress power to pass " all laws necessary and proper 
for carrying into execution" the enumerated powers. This view was upheld 
by the Supreme Court in the case of McCulloch vs. Maryland, which estab- 
lished the constitutionality of the Bank Act. The first bank of the United 
States led a prosperous and useful existence till 1811, when its charter 
expired. Congress refusing to recharter it. During the crisis of the War of 
1812 only State banks, mostly ill-regulated, existed. In 1816 the second 
Bank of the United States was chartered, with a charter running twenty 
years and a capital of $35,000,000, four-fifths of it in government stocks. 
The government was to have the appointment of five of the twenty-five 
directors, and the bank was to have the custody of the public funds. In 
1829 President Jackson, angered by the bank's refusing a political favor, 
began a series of attacks upon it. In 1832 Congress passed an act renewing 
its charter. Jackson vetoed it. In the election of 1832 Jackson was victor- 
ious over the Whigs and the bank, which he considered, and had indeed 
forced to be, dangerously implicated in politics. In September, 1833, by 
his orders, the Secretary of the Treasury caused the government deposits to 
be diverted from the bank, and lodged in State banks (called " pet banks "). 
(See art. Deposits.) The Senate's protests were unavailing. In 1836 the 
bank's charter expired. Tyler, in 1841, vetoed two bills to revive it, and in 
1846 the Independent Treasury system, already tried in 1840—41, was per- 
manently established. From 1836 to 1863 State banks alone existed. In 
the earlier part of this period they were often uncontrolled by the State 
governments and quite unsound, banks being established and bills issued by 
adventurers possessing no capital to sustain them. New York provided a 
system of State supervision, which was in part the genu of the national 
bank system of 1863. In that year, February 25, the National Bank Act 
was passed. It permits any five persons to establish a national bank and, 
on depositing United States bonds with the Comptroller of the Currency, to 
issue bank notes to an amount not exceeding ninety per cent, of the par 
value of those bonds. The notes so issued are guaranteed by the govern- 
ment, which inspects the banks from time to time, and are receivable in 
payment of taxes. On March 3, 1865, an act was passed imposing a tax of 
ten per cent, on the circulation of State banks. On September 30, 1892, 
there were 3773 national banks in the United States, and 3191 State banks. 

Banks, Nathaniel P., born in 1816, originally a machinist, was Repre- 
sentative from Massachusetts from 1853 to 1857. In 1855 he was chosen 
Speaker, after a contest lasting more than two months, on the 133d ballot. 
He was Governor of Massachusetts in 1858, 1859 and i860. As major-gen- 
eral in the Civil War he fought the indecisive battle of Cedar Mountain and 
took Port Hudson, but was unsuccessful in the Red River Expedition of 1864. 
Again a member of Congress from 1865 to 1873; from 1877 to 1879; and 
from 1889 to 1891. Died September r,* 1894. 



Dictionary of United States History. 51 

Banks, Savings. The first incorporated in the United States was the Bos- 
ton Provident Savings Institution, incorporated December 13, 1816. The 
Philadelphia Savings Fund Society went into operation the same year, and 
was incorporated in 1S19. In 1818 savings banks were incorporated in 
Baltimore and Salem, Mass., and in 1819 in New York, Hartford, Conn., and 
Newport and Providence, R. I. There are now more than a thousand, with 
deposits amounting to more than $450,000,000. 

Baptists. In most of the colonies the Baptists were persecuted. In Rhode 
Island they were especially numerous. They had much to do with that 
agitation for religious liberty which culminated in the passage of tlie first 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In 1762 there were 
fifty-six Baptist churches in the region now occupied by the United States; 
in 1792, 1000; in 1812, 2433; in 1832, 5322; in 1852, 9500; in 1872, 18,397. 
According to the census of 1890, there were in that year, of all varieties of 
Baptists, 41,629 church organizations, with 3,594,093 communicants. In 
1845 the Baptists split into a northern and a southern body, because of difier- 
ences arising out of the question of slavery. 

Baranoff, Alexander Andrevitch (i 746-1819), a Russian trader, founded 
a trading-post at Behring Strait in 1796, and was Governor of Russian 
America till his death. 

Barataria, pirates of, a band of Louisiana outlaws, who, under their 
chief Lafitte, rendered General Jackson material assistance in his Louisiana 
and New Orleans campaign in 1815. They had refused oflFers from the 
British. 

Barbary Powers. (See Algerine War, Tripoli, Tunis,) 

Barbour, James (1775-1842), Governor of Virginia from 1812 to 1815; 
Senator from that State from 1815 to 1825; Secretary of War from 1825 to 
1828; then for a year Minister to England. 

Barbour, Philip P. (1783-1841), brother of the preceding, was a Repre- 
sentative from Virginia from 1814 to 1825, and from 1827 to 1830. He was 
Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1821 to 1823, ^^'^ ^ Justice 
of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1836 to 1841. 

Barlow, Arthur (1550-1620), was sent out by Raleigh in 1584, in com- 
mand of an expedition of discovery preparatory to colonization. He explored 
Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, in company with Philip Amidas, and brought 
home favorable reports. 

Barlow, Francis C, general, born 1834, as colonel distinguished himself 
at Fair Oaks, as brigadier-general at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettys- 
burg, and commanded a division with great success at Spottsylvania 
Court House. Since the war has been Secretary and Attorney-General of 
New York. 

Barlow, Joel (1754-1812), born in Connecticut, was graduated at Yale 
College and, as one of the " Hartford Wits," distinguished himself in 
literature, especially by the publication of his epic poem, " The Vision of 
Columbus," in 1787. Going abroad as a land-agent in 1788, he engaged in 



52 Dictionary of United States History. 

Republican politics in England and France, negotiated the treaty with 
Algiers in 1795, and devoted himself for several years to literary and mercan- 
tile pursuits, residing at Paris. Other poems of his were " Hasty Pudding " 
and "The Columbiad." In 1805 he returned to America. Appointed in 
1811 minister to Napoleon, he died in Poland in 1812. Life by Todd. 

Barnard, Frederick A. P. (1809-1889), an eminent educator, president 
of the University of Mississippi from 1856 to 1861 and of Columbia College 
from 1864 to 1889, held also many governmental appointments of an educa- 
tional nature. 

Barnard, Henry, born 181 1, an eminent reformer of educational methods, 
was from 1867 to 1870 U. S. commissioner of education, having previously 
been school commissioner of Rhode Island and Connecticut. A prolific and 
influential writer on educational matters. 

Barnburners, a faction of the Democratic Part}' in New York State, 
so called from an alleged eagerness for radical measures, in allusion to the 
stor>- of the Dutchman who burned down his barn to clear it from rats. 
The election of Polk in 1844 resulted in a split of the party in New York 
into two factions, the " Barnburners," representing the Van Buren wing and 
opposing the extension of slavery in the territories, and the " Hunkers," 
representing the administration and its views. In 1848, in the Democratic 
National Convention there were contesting delegations from New York 
representing the two factions. Unable to secure complete recognition the 
Barnburners joined in the Free-Soil Convention, voted for Van Buren, and 
so helped to elect Taylor. The breach between Barnburners and Hunkers 
was healed in 1852, more or less perfectly. 

Barnes, Joseph K. (1817-1883), surgeon-general U. S. A. from 1863 to 
1882, founded the Army Medical Museum and the invaluable library of the 
surgeon-general's office. 

Barney, Joshua (1759-1818), a naval officer in the Revolutionary War, 
distinguished himself by gallantry and by various adventures, and in 1782 
commanded the " Hyder Ali " in its capture of the " General Monk." From 
1794 to iSoo he was in the naval service of the French Republic. In 18 14 
he was appointed to the command of the flotilla which was to defend Chesa- 
peake Bay, and was severely wounded at the battle of Bladensburg. 

Barre, Isaac (1726— 1802), a British colonel, member of Parliament from 
1761 to 1790, obtained great popularity in America by his opposition to 
the Stamp Act and to the American policy of Lord North's administration. 

Barren Hill, Pa., twelve miles from Philadelphia. In the Revolutionary 
War, the Americans, commanded by Lafayette, eluded an attempt of Howe 
to capture them at this point, May 20, 1778. 

Barron, James (i 769-1851), commodore in the U. S. Navy, commanded 
the " Chesapeake " when the " Leopard " attacked and captured her, in 1807. 
Barron was tried by court-martial, found guilty of negligence in preparation, 
and suspended for five years. In 1820 he killed Commodore Decatur in a 
duel arising out of this trial. 



Dictionary of United States History. 53 

Barrowists, the followers of Henry Barrow, or Barrowe, a church reformer 
of the latter part of the sixteenth century. They advocated church 
government by elders, and freedom of religious thought within certain limits. 
Their creed resembled somewhat that of the modern Congregationalists, and 
the Pilgrim Fathers and the Congregational Church of New England sprang 
from them. (See Browuists.) 

Barrundia, Jose M., Guatemalan revolutionist, sailed from Acapulco, 
Mexico, to San Jose, Guatemala, in an American merchant vessel (1890). At 
San Jose, the Guatemalan authorities, in an attempt to arrest him on board 
the steamer, killed him. U. S. Minister Mizner and Commander Reiter, 
U. S. Navy, refused to interfere, since international law conceded jurisdic- 
tion in such cases to the authorities of the countrj-. The Navy Department 
censured Reiter. 

Barry, John (1745-1803), born in Ireland, an active commander in the 
Revolutionary navy. In the " Lexington " he captured the " Edward," the 
first British war-vessel captured by a commissioned officer of the U. S. Navy. 
In 1781, in the " Alliance," he captured the " Atalanta " and the " Trepassy." 
On the revival of the navy in 1794 he was named senior officer, with the 
rank of commodore. 

Barry, William T. (1785-1835), born in Virginia, attained distinction in 
Kentucky politics, and was Postmaster-General to Jackson from 1829 to 
1835. He was the first Postmaster-General who was admitted as a member 
into the Cabinet. 

Bartholdi, Frederic, born 1834, French sculptor, executed, at the instance 
of the French-American Union, the colossal statue of " Liberty Enlightening 
the World," which has been placed on Bedloe's Island to adorn New York 
harbor. 

Bartlett, Josiah (i 729-1 795), a physician of New Hampshire, was a 
meuiber of the Continental Congress, and signed the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. Afterward he was Chief Justice of his State, and from 1790 to 
1794 was its President or Governor. 

Bartlett, ^A^illiam Francis (1840-1876), a Massachusetts officer in the 
Civil War, especially conspicuous for gallantry in action, left his class at 
Harvard to enter the army as a private in 1861, and rose before the end of 
the war to be a brevet major-general. He was wounded at Yorktown and 
Port Hudson, and taken prisoner at Petersbvirg. 

Barton, Clara, born in Massachusetts in 1830, bore an important part 
in caring for the wounded on the battle-fields of the Civil War, and again 
in the Franco-German War. In 1881 she became president of the American 
Red-Cross Society, and in 1884 represented the government at the red-cross 
conference at Geneva. 

Basques. An ancient race dwelliug in the Pyrenees. Basques are said to 
have visited the American coasts before Columbus, in the pursuit of whales 
or of the fish of the banks of Newfoundland. It is not improbable, but 
cannot be said to have been proved to general satisfaction. 



54 Dictionary of United States History. 

Bassett, Richard (d. 1815), was a member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1787, and a signer of the Constitution. From 1789 to 1793 he was 
a Senator from Delaware, and from 1798 to 1801 governor of that State. 

Bates, Edward (i 793-1869), born in Virginia, became a prominent 
lawyer in Missouri. Having warmly opposed the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise, he was a somewhat prominent candidate for the Republican 
nomination to the presidency in the Chicago Convention of i860. He was 
attorney-general under Lincoln from 1861 to 1863. 

Bates, Joshua (1788-1864), born in Massachusetts, engaged in business 
in London and became senior member of the firm of Baring Brothers &; Co. 
When the Boston Public Library was started he gave it about $100,000. 

" Battle of the Kegs," a celebrated humorous poem of the Revolutionary- 
War, written by Francis Hopkinson. Its theme was an unsuccessful attempt 
of the Americans, in January, 1778, to destroy the British shipping at Phila- 
delphia by floating down combustibles from above. 

Baton Rouge, La., capital of the State since 1849, was taken by a part 
of Farragut's fleet, in May, 1862, immediately after his capture of New 
Orleans. On August 5 General Williams was attacked there by the Confed- 
erate General Breckenridge, but the attack was repulsed, the ram "Arkansas" 
failing to support it. General Williams was killed. 

Batture Cases. Some fifteen years before the cession of Louisiana to the 
United States, one Gravier had purchased a plantation along the Mississippi 
adjoining New Orleans. Portions of it had been cut up into lots and formed 
the village of St. Mary. Meantime an alluvial deposit or river beach had 
begun to form along the levee of the Gravier plantation and was used as a 
boat landing by the citizens of St. Mary, though the batture, imder the law, 
still formed a part of the Gravier estate. This estate was purchased in 1808 
by Edward Livingston, of New York, who immediately began improvements 
on the batture for his own private ends. The people raised a great outcry, 
but Livingston obtained a favorable verdict and proceeded with his improve- 
ments. Finally, however, the territorial court, in 1809, decided to appeal to 
President Jeiferson, on the ground that the batture was public property under 
a French law which gave alluvions to the government. By Jefferson's orders, 
he having a private grudge against Livingston, the latter was dispossessed 
of the batture. Livingston immediately brought suit against Jefferson and 
the United States Marshal. The suit against the President was not allowed, 
but the Supreme Court decided that the batture be restored to Livingston. 

Baum, Friedrich, lieutenant-colonel of the Bnmswick dragoons, German 
mercenaries in Burgoyne's expedition, was. attacked by Colonel Stark at 
Bennington, Vt., August 16, 1777, completely defeated and mortally wounded. 

Bavaria. A convention for the abolition of the droit d^atibaine was con- 
cluded with Bavaria in 1845; a convention for the extradition of criminals 
in 1853, and a naturalization treaty in 1868. 

Bay Psalm Book, the first book (except an almanac) printed in the 
English-speaking parts of America, was printed at Cambridge in 1640. 



Dictionary of United States History. 55 

Bay State, a name given to Massachusetts, the early title of which was 
" The Province of Massachusetts Bay." 

Bayard, James A. (1767-1815), born in Philadelphia, settled in Dela- 
ware as a lawyer. He represented Delaware in the House of Representatives 
from 1797 to 1803, and in the Senate from 1805 to 1813. He was one of the 
chief leaders of the Federalists in Congress, and in 1801 had a principal part 
in persuading the other Federalist Congressmen to vote for Jefferson rather 
than Burr when the election of a President fell to them. He was one of the 
five American negotiators who concluded in 181 4 the treaty of Ghent. His 
sons and grandson represented Delaware in the Senate from 1836 to 1845, 
and from 1851 to 1885. 

Bayard, Nicholas (i 644-1 707), born in Holland, but brought to New 
Amsterdam in infancy, became secretary of the province in 1672; Mayor 
of New York and a member of the Council in 1685. He was imprisoned 
by Ivcisler and later sentenced to death on accusation, but was finally released. 

Bayard, Thomas F. (grandson of James A.), born in Delaware in 1828, 
practiced law in Philadelphia and Wilmington from 1851 to 1869. From 
1869 to 1885 he was Senator from Delaware, and was one of the most able 
and prominent of the Democratic Senators. In 1877 he was a member of 
the Electoral Commission which decided the disputed Hayes-Tilden election. 
In 1881 he was president pro te77ipore of the Senate. In 1880 and again in 

1884 he had many votes in convention as a candidate for the Presidency. In 

1885 President Cleveland appointed him Secretary of State, in which office 
he served with credit till 1889, pursuing constantly a pacific policy toward 
foreign nations. In 1893, when the grade of ambassador was for the first 
time established in the American diplomatic service, he was appointed our 
representative in England with that title, and was the first to bear it. 

Bayard vs. Singleton, North Carolina. This was a suit for the recovery 
of certain property, tried before the Court of Appeals of North Carolina in 
1787. The property in question had been confiscated and sold to the 
defendant under an act of the legislature passed during the Revolution, 
authorizing the confiscation of property belonging to an alien. Counsel for 
the defendant moved the suit be dismissed in accordance with an act of the 
legislature of 1785 which " required the courts, in all cases where the 
defendant makes affidavit that he holds the disputed property under a sale 
from a commissioner of forfeited estates, to dismiss the case on motion." 
This the court refused emphatically and Judge Ashe boldly pronounced that 
act of legislature " unconstitutional and void." Judgment was, however, 
found for the defendant on the groimd that aliens cannot hold land, and if 
they purchase, the land is forfeited to the sovereign. This is one of the 
earliest instances of a court's pronouncing upon the constitutionality of an 
act of the legislature. Ashe's decision is therefore important. 

Bayonne Decree, a decree issued on April 17, 1808, by the Emperor 
Napoleon, in the course of his attempts to reduce England to terms by 
destroying the commerce of neutral powers like the United States. On 
pretext of falling in with the embargo policy of the American government, 
he ordered that all American vessels which should enter the ports of France, 



56 Dictionary of United States History. 

Italy and the Hanse Towns should be seized, " because no vessels of the 
United States can now navigate the seas without violating the law of the 
said States." 

Bayou Teche Expedition, an expedition sent up the Bayou Teche by 
General Banks in April, 1863. It completed the conquest of all Louisiana 
west of New Orleans and south of the Red River. 

Bean's Station, Tenn. On December 14, 1863, after Longstreet had 
raised the siege of Knoxville, 4000 Union cavalry under Shackelford here 
fought Longstreet's cavalry under Gracie. 

Bear Flag War, an insurrection against the Mexican government in 
California, raised in June, 1846, by a small body of settlers from the United 
States. The insurrection is supposed to have been fomented by Captain John 
C. Fremont, then in California with a small force of United States troops. 
A dozen Americans seized some government horses, and then, reinforced by 
others, seized Sonoma, and raised a flag bearing a figure of a bear. A 
republic was proclaimed. A force of the Califomian government was 
defeated. Captain Fremont joined the revolutionary forces with his troops. 
In July, the Mexican War having begun, Sloat raised the American flag at 
Monterey, and the Bear Flag War became merged in the American 
operations for the conquest of California. 

Beaufort, N. C, was captured by Burnside's troops on April 26, 1862. 

Beaufort, S. C, was occupied by the Federal forces on December 6, 1861, 
having been abandoned by the Confederates after the naval fight at Hilton 
Head. 

Beaumarchais, Pierre A. C. de (1732-1799), the brilliant author of the 
" Barbier de Seville " and the " Mariage de Figaro," rendered highly val- 
uable services to the American cause in the Revolutionar\' War, persuading 
the French government to send the Americans large amounts of money, 
arms and ammunition, and extensively using his own credit in their behalf. 
The debt of the American government to him was never discharged. 

Beauregard, P. Gustave T. (1818-1893), born in Louisiana, was grad- 
uated at West Point in 1838. He was employed in the engineer service of 
the United States until 1861, when he resigned, and entered that of the 
seceded States. Placed in command of the defences of Charleston, he opened 
fire on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. With General J. E.Johnston he won 
the victory of Bull Run on July 21. In the spring of 1862 he was ordered to 
Tennessee. When General A. S. Johnston was killed at Shiloh Beauregard 
succeeded him in the command, but was forced to retire, and subsequently 
to evacuate Corinth. From September, 1862, to April, 1864, he defended 
Charleston against General Gillmore and Admirals Dupont and Dahlgren. In 
May, 1864, he aided Lee at Petersburg; in the autumn he aided in the vain 
attempt of the Confederates to stop Sherman's march through Georgia. He 
surrendered with Johnston in April, 1865. He was afterward manager of the 
Louisiana State lottery. 

Beaver Creek, Md., scene of a skirmish on July 10, 1863, when, on General 
Lee's retreat from Gettysburg, Sedgwick's corps came upon his rear-guard. 



Dictionary of United States History. 57 

Beaver Dam, Upper Canada. At the end of Dearborn's campaign, Colonel 
Boerstler, with a force of 540, sent out from Niagara to Beaver Dam, was 
defeated and forced to surrender by a British and Indian force of 260, June 
24, 1813. 

Beaver Dam Creek, Va. In the "seven days' " fighting after Fair Oaks, 
General A. P. Hill's corps, while waiting for the arrival of Jackson, attacked 
McCall's division of McClellan's army in a strong position at Beaver Dam 
Creek, June 26, 1862, and were repulsed with heavy loss. 

Bedford, Gunning, Jr. (1747-1812), a Delaware law\'er, represented Del- 
aware in the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1786. He was a member 
of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and signed the Constitution. 

Beecher, Henry ^A(^a^d (1813-1887), son of the eminent Rev. Dr. Lyman 
Beecher, and from 1847 to his death pastor of a great congregation in Brook- 
lyn, had always an active part in public affairs. In 1S63 he made many 
speeches in England, endeavoring to influence English public opinion in 
favor of the Northern cause in the Civil War. 

Behaim, Martin (1459-1506), a Nuremberg cosmographer, resided in 
Lisbon and Fayal from 1480 to 1490, was a friend of Columbus, and shared 
his views as to the possibility of reaching land by sailing westward. A globe 
wliich he constructed after returning to Nuremberg is a famous and valuable 
record of geographical knowledge. 

Behring. (See Bering.) 

Behring Sea Question. Soon after the acquisition of Alaska by the 
United States the Pribylov Islands, which are the breeding-grounds of the 
fur seal, were leased to the Alaska Commercial Compan\-, who were to have 
a monopoly of seal-killing, under stringent regulations designed to prevent 
the extermination of the seals. In spite of the vigilance of the government 
in guarding the islands, depredations increased, American and Canadian 
vessels pursuing the seals upon the open sea. In 1886 the American gov- 
ernment set up the claim that Behring Sea was mare claiisitm and asserted 
its jurisdiction over the eastern half of it. Russia had purported to grant 
such rights of jurisdiction when ceding Alaska in 1867, yet in 1822 the 
United States had protested against Russia's claim to have rights of sover- 
eignty over the sea, outside the usual three-mile limit of territorial jurisdic- 
tion. In consequence of the new doctrine, many seizures of Canadian and 
American sealers were made by a government vessel. Great Britain claimed 
damages. After much negotiation, mainly between Secretary Blaine and 
Sir Julian Pauncefote, it was agreed to submit to arbitration the questions 
of the rights of the United vStates in Behring Sea and of the regulations 
necessary for the protection of the seals if it were decided that the United 
States had not exclusive jurisdiction over the matter. Two arbitrators were 
to be appointed by the United States, two by Great Britain, and one each by 
the President of the French Republic, the King of Italy and the King of 
Sweden and Norway. The arbitrators appointed by these respectivelv were: 
Justice John M. Harlan of the Supreme Court, Senator John T. Morgan, 
Lord Hannen, Sir John S. D. Thompson, Baron de Courcel, the Marquis 



58 Dictionary of United States History. 

Emilio Visconti-Venosta, and Gregers W. W. Gram. The tribunal began its 
sessions at Paris on March 23, 1893, and rendered its decision on August 15. 
It decided against the American claim to exclusive jurisdiction of any sort 
over the waters of Behring Sea outside the three-mile territorial limit, estab- 
lished a close season for seals in those waters from May i to July 31, and 
forbade pelagic sealing within sixty miles of the Pribylov Islands, sealing in 
steam vessels or with fire-arms. These regulations were to be carried out by 
the British and American governments concurrently. 

Belcher, Jonathan (1681-1757), of Massachusetts, was Governor of Massa- 
chusetts from 1730 to 1741, when he was removed. In 1747 he was 
appointed Governor of New Jersey, which he ruled judiciously until his 
death. 

Belgium. Commercial regulations were effected by the United States with 
Belgium by the treaty of 1845, the convention of 1858 and that of 1863, 
the treaty of July 20, 1863, the treaty of 1875, and the convention of 1884. 
Naturalization rights were recognized by the convention of November 16, 
1S68, and consular rights by the conventions of December 5, 1868, and of 
March 9, 1880. The extradition of criminals was regulated by the conven- 
tions of 1874 and 1882. 

Belknap, Jeremy (i 744-1 798), of Massachusetts, clergyman and historian, 
was for twenty )ears pastor of a church in Dover, N. H., and, from 1787 till 
his death, of the Federal Street Church, Boston. He wrote an excellent 
history of New Hampshire in three volumes, and in 1791 founded the Massa- 
chusetts Historical Society. 

Belknap, William W. (i 829-1 890), of Iowa, became major-general in 
the Civil War. From 1869 to 1876 he was Secretary of War in President 
Grant's Cabinet. He was impeached in 1876 for receiving bribes, but 
resigned a few hours before the resolution for impeachment passed the House. 
He then claimed not to be impeachable, and enough Senators took this view 
to prevent his conviction. 

Bell, Alexander Graham, born in Scotland in 1847, physicist, came to the 
United States in 1872. Inventor of the telephone, which he first exhibited 
publicly at Philadelphia in 1876. 

Bell, John (i 797-1 869), was born at Nashville, and graduated at the 
university of that city. He had been a lawyer and State Senator before he 
entered the House of Representatives as member from Tennessee in 1827. 
He served there until 1841, being Speaker in 1835-37. ^^ was one of the 
founders of the Whig party. In 1841 he was Secretary of War, and in 1847- 

59 he was U. S. Senator from Tennessee. When the conservatives, under 
the name of the Constitutional Union party, decided to make a campaign 
for the Presidency in i860. Bell was their candidate, and the Bell and Everett 
ticket received the electoral votes of three States. 

Bellamy, Edward, born in 1850, of Massachusetts, for several years was 
assistant editor of the Springfield Union. Is a contributor to various 
magazines, and the author of " Looking Backward," which has made him 
famous. 



DjCTIONARY OF UNITED STATES HiSTORY. 59 

Bellamy, Joseph (1719-1790), of Connecticut, theologian, was pastor of the 
Congregational Church in Bethlehem, Conn., from 1740 till his death, 
where he established a divinity school, in which he trained many of the most 
eminent ministers of New England. 

" Belleview Palladium," the first newspaper issued in Nebraska. It was 
published at Belleview in 1854, and continues at the present time under 
that title. 

Belligerent Rights were accorded to the Confederacy by a proclamation 

issued by the Queen of Great Britain recognizing the existence of war between 
the United States and the so-called Confederate States, and the right of each to 
the exercise of belligerent powers on the ocean, but not recognizing the 
national independence of the latter, and enjoining neutrality on her own 
subjects. Similar recognitions of belligerent rights were made by France 
and the other chief commercial powers of Europe, and by Brazil. 

Bellingham, Richard (1592-1672), colonial Governor of Massachusetts, 
came to America in 1634. In 1635 was made deputy-governor, and Gov- 
ernor in 1 64 1 by a majority of only six votes over Winthrop. In all he 
served thirteen years as deputy-governor and ten as Governor; was opposed 
to innovations in religion, and fespecially severe toward the Quakers. 

Bellomont, Earl of (Richard Coote) (1636-1701), was an English poli- 
tician, appointed by William III. Governor of New York and Massachusetts 
in 1695. He arrived in 1698, and addressed himself to the suppression of 
piracy and illegal trade, both rife in the colonies. The capture of the noto- 
rious pirate Captain Kidd fell during his administration. 

Bellows, Henry W. (1814-1882), of New York, clergv'man, became pastor 
of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church of New York City in 1839. 
In the Civil War he was president of the U. S. Sanitary Commission. 

Belmont, August (1816-1890), of New York, financier, came to the United 
States in 1837. Was appointed Minister to Holland in 1854. Was a liberal 
patron of the fine arts. 

Belmont, Mo., a small town occupied by a detachment of Confederates 
from General Polk's army. It was destroyed, and the Confederates driven to 
the Mississippi River by General Grant, November 7, 1861. 

Beltrami, Giacomo C. (1779-1855), explorer, was exiled from Italy, and 
came to the United States in 1821. He ascended the Mississippi River and 
discovered one of its principal sources. 

Bemis Heights. (See Saratoga.) 

Benjamin, Judah P. (1811-1884), was born at St. Croix, in the West 
Indies, of English Hebrew descent. He was educated at Yale, and as a law- 
3'er became the head of the Louisiana bar. He was Whig U. S. Senator 
from that State, 1853-61. He sided with the Confederates, and entered 
President Davis' Cabinet, serving in turn as Attorney-General, Secretary of 
War, and Secretary of State. On the collapse of the Confederacy he made 
his escape ti-p England, and was soon equally famous for his grasp of English 
law. He became a Queen's Counsel, and died in Paris. 



6o Dictionary of United States History. 

Benjamin, Park (1809-1864), of New York, was editor or co-editor of the 
New England Magazine^ the American Monthly Magazine^ Horace Greeley's 
New Yorker^ and other journals, and a contributor to many others. 

Benjamin, Samuel G. W., born in Greece in 1837, author, was U. S. 
Minister to Persia from 1883 to 1885. His contributions to periodicals have 

been very numerous. 

Bennet, or Bennett, Richard, was sent by the Commonwealth in 1651 
as Commissioner to Virginia, of which he was soon after elected Governor, 
retiring in 1655. 

Bennett, James Gordon (1795— 1872), of New York, journalist, came to 
America in 1819; established the Herald in 1835. He first introduced the 
" Money Article," the employment of regular European correspondents, and 
the systematic sale by newsboys. During the Civil War he employed sixty- 
three war correspondents. The Herald sometimes yielded him an income of 
$100,000 a year. 

Bennington, Battle of, August 16, 1777. As he marched southward from 
Canada, General Burgoyne sent 500 Germans imder Colonel Baum to seize 
the American stores at Bennington. Not daring to take the offensive, Baum 
awaited attack on the bank of a stream. The Americans under Stark out- 
numbered the British two to one, but were inferior in drill and equipment. 
Half their force, whom Baum took to be Tories, got to a position in his rear. 
Being attacked both in front and in rear, the Gennans were routed com- 
pletely. Just at that moment 500 Gennan reinforcements came, but this 
was offset by the appearance of 500 fresh men under Colonel Warner. Only 
sixty or seventy Germans reached camp. Out of their thousand 207 were 
killed and 700 captured. The American loss was fourteen killed and forty- 
two wounded. 

Benton, Thomas Hart (17S2-185S), was boni in North Carolina, and 
settled early in Tennessee. He became a lawyer and a member of the Legis- 
lature and acquired the title of colonel in the War of 1812. Though an 
ardent supporter of Jackson in later times, he had a personal encounter with 
him in Nashville in 1813. He now became a journalist in Missouri, and 
served that State iminterruptedly as U. S. Senator from 1821 to 1851. Dur- 
ing this long period he was second in prominence only to the famous trio, 
Cla}-, Calhoun and Webster. He played a distinguished part in securing 
favorable land laws, in opening the West and in furthering post-roads. His 
conser\-atism in finance earned for him the title of " Old Bullion." He 
championed Jackson during the latter's Presidency, and was active in procur- 
ing the passage of the Expunging Resolutions (which see). Later he was a 
vigorous opponent of Calhoun. He was in 1853-55 a member of the House 
of Representatives, but was defeated as candidate for Governor of Missouri in 
1856. He published in 1854-56 his " Thirty Years' View," or historical 
memoirs; his " Abridgment of the Debates of Congress " was published in 
fifteen volumes. (Life by Roosevelt.) 

Bentonville, N. C. Here, during his march from Savannah through the 
Carolinas, Sherman, at the head of 65,000 National troops, encountered 



Dictionary of United States History. 6i 

24,000 Confederates under Johnston. A battle took place March 18, 1S65, 
Johnston having come up in great haste from Smithfield, intending to sur- 
prise Sherman. The latter, however, was ready for him and Johnston was 
thrown on the defensive near Mill Creek. Johnston was partially defeated 
and retreated in alarm to Smithfield. 

Bering, or Behring, Vitus (1680-1741), Danish navigator in the Russian 
service. In 1728 Peter the Great sent him on an expedition in the course 
of which he discovered the strait which bears his name. 

Berkeley, George (1684-1753), the celebrated philosopher, was dean of 
Deny in Ireland. In his advocacy of education in the Bermudas, he sailed 
thither, and reached Newport en route in 1729. His plans miscarried, 
but he remained in Newport until 1731, returning then to Great Britain, 
where he became bishop of Cloyne. His interest in American matters was 
evinced by his famous lines, "Westward the course of empire," etc., and 
more practically by the gift to Yale of his farm near Newport, as well as by 
gifts of books to Yale and Harvard. 

Berkeley, Sir William (about 1610-1677), was an English courtier, who 
in 1642 was appointed Governor of Virginia. He continued in this office, 
with the exception of an intermission during the Cromwelliau regime, until 
1677. His gloating remark over the colony's backward condition in educa- 
tion and a free press is well known, and his oppression evoked a caustic 
comment even from Charles II. His inefficiency in conducting the relations 
with the Indians led to an armed uprising in 1676 under Nathaniel Bacon. 
This was suppressed after Bacon's death, but Berkeley was soon recalled. 

Berlin Arbitration. (See San Juan question.) 

Berlin Decree, The, was issued by Napoleon November 21, 1806, and 
declared the British Islands in a state of blockade. It forbade connnerce 
with them and trade in their merchandise and declared all merchandise 
belonging to Englishmen or transported from England lawful prize. Its 
effect was to inflict great injury on the American carrying trade. 

Bermuda Hundred, Va., a position selected by Butler, who, in 1864, 
commanded the army of the James, numbering about 25,000 Federals, where 
he might intrench himself and await Grant's arrival. In the vicinity of this 
position there was constant fighting between Butler's troops and those of the 
Confederate Beauregard, whose forces were 20,000 strong. The fighting 
continued from May 16 to 30. On the sixteenth Heckman's brigade was 
destroyed by the Confederates, who were then pushing on to Bermuda 
Hundred, when Ames and Gillmore came up and Beauregard's plans mis- 
carried. On the nineteenth the Confederates assaulted the Federal rifle pits 
under Ames and Terry, but without success. " Skirmishing continued until 
the thirtieth, when the Confederates desisted. Bermuda Hundred was a 
valuable position, singe it was very near both Richmond and Petersburg. 

Bernard, Sir Francis (1714-1779), royal Governor of Massachusetts, was 
appointed in 1760 and removed in 1769 because of his incessant conflicts 
with the assembly. In 1 768 he caused British troops to be quartered in Boston. 



62 Dictionary of United States History. 

Bernard, Simon (i 779-1836), French soldier and chief engineer in the U. S. 
Army, came to the United States with Lafayette in 1824. His principal 
work was the planning and construction of Fortress Monroe. 

Berrien, John McPherson (1781-1856), of Georgia, statesman, was Judge 
of the Eastern District of Georgia from 1810 to 1821, U. S. Senator from 
1825 to 1829 and from 1840 to 1852. Was Attorney-General under Jackson 
from 1829 to 1831, when he resigned. 

Berry, Nathaniel S., (1796-1894), was elected Governor of New Hamp- 
shire as a Republican in 1861 and held office till 1863. Was earnest in 
support of the war. 

Bethel, a communistic settlement, composed chiefly of Germans, in 
Missouri. It was founded in 1844 by Dr. Keil, a Prussian, and a number 
of the settlers were seceders from Rapp's colony of Harmonists at Economy. 
These colonists purchased 4000 acres of land and immediately established 
communistic industries, manufactories, tanneries, distilleries, etc. Keil after- 
ward went to Oregon, where he founded, in 1855, the Dutch communistic 
colony of Aurora, carrying with him about 400 of the 600 settlers at Bethel. 
The colony is governed by trustees who also plan the work of the com- 
munity. 

Bethlehem, Pa., was founded in 1741 by the Moravians. Lehigh Uni- 
versity was founded in South Bethlehem in 1865. 

Beverly, Robert (1675-1716), of Virginia, historian, was clerk of the 
council under Governor Sir Edmund Andros. Several editions of his " His- 
tory of Virginia " have been published. 

Beverly's Ford, Va., scene of a sharp cavaln' fight during the Civil 
War, between Buford, Pleasonton and Gregg, commanding 9000 Federals, and 
Stuart leading 12,000 Confederates. Hooker had sent Pleaspnton to find 
Stuart, who was said to be near Beverly's Ford. Pleasonton planned to sur- 
prise the Confederates, but his plans miscarried. Stuart was fully prepared 
for him. Pleasonton was badly beaten, though Stuart sufiered severe losses 
also. 

Bibb, George M. (1772— 1859), of Kentucky, was three times chosen Chief 
Justice of the State. Was a member of the U. S. Senate from 181 1 to 1814 
and from 1829 to 1835. He was Secretary of the Treasur}- under Presi- 
dent Tyler. 

Bible Revision. On the invitation of the British committee for the revision 
of the Bible, a committee of United States scholars and divines was organized 
in 1871 and began active work in October, 1872. This committee was com- 
posed of twenty-seven members, who met each month in the Bible House, New 
York. Their intention was to adapt King James' version to the present state 
of the language. The revised New Testament was published in 1887. The 
revised Old Testament appeared in 1885. 

Bible Societies. The first Bible Society of this country was founded at 
Philadelphia in 1808. It was quickly followed by others at Hartford, 



Dictionary of United States History. 63 

Boston, New York and Princeton. May 11, 1 816, the American Bible Society 
was organized at New York by a convention of representatives from thirty- 
five smaller societies, which felt the need of united and centralized effort. 
Nearly every denomination, except the Roman Catholic, was represented. 
Sectarian jealonsy and party prejudice were laid aside in order to insure com- 
bined endeavors in promoting " a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures 
without note or comment." The American Foreign Bible Society was estab- 
lished in 1836 by the Baptist denomination, which withdrew from the 
American Society because of some disagreement. The total issues of the 
American Bible Society from 1816 to 1892 have been 55,531,908. 

Biddle, Clement (1740-1814), of Pennsylvania, "Quaker Soldier," was an 
officer in the Continental army from 1776 to 1780 and U. S. Marshal during 
the Whisky Rebellion. 

Biddle, James (1783-1848), naval officer, in the War of 1812, in command 
of the " Hornet," captured the " Penguin." In 1817 he took possession of 
Oregon for the United States. 

Biddle, Nicholas (1750-1778), of Philadelphia, naval officer, one of the 
first captains appointed by Congress in 1775. In 177S, while engaging the 
"Yarmouth," British, 64, his ship, the "Randolph," 32, blew up. 

Biddle, Nicholas (i 786-1 844), after leaving Princeton entered the diplo- 
matic service, and afterward edited the magazine, the Portfolio. He was 
a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and became a government director 
of the United States Bank and its president. In this latter position he was 
a central figure in the fierce struggle which Jackson waged with the bank. 
He resigned the presidency in 1839. 

Bienville, Sieur de (Jean Baptiste le Moyne) (1680-1765), was a mem- 
ber of a noted French family of colonizers. He accompanied his brother 
Iberville to the Mississippi region, and in 1701 assumed the direction of the 
colony of Louisiana. In 1713 he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the 
colony, and in 171 8 Governor, and in the same year he founded New Orleans. 
He was removed in 1720, but was re-appointed in 1733, returning to France 
in 1743. 

Bierstadt, Albert, born in Germany in 1830, painter, was brought to the 
United States in 1831. Made extended tours in Colorado and California, 
obtaining there materials for his most celebrated pictures. 

Big Bethel, Va. Here an unsuccessful attempt, directed by General Butler, 
was made by General Pierce, with four regiments, to dislodge outposts of 
Magruder's Confederate encampment at Yorktown, June 10, 1861. The 
Federal regiments, under Townsend and Bendix, en route for the Big Bethel 
camp, mistook each other for the enemy, and fired. This created great con- 
fusion. Pierce arrived and pushed on to the Confederate earthwork on Back 
River, destroying the camp at Little Bethel. The Federal troops crossed 
Back River and charged the earthwork, but were repulsed with considerable 
loss, Major Theodore Winthrop losing his life. 

Big Black River, Miss. In this battle, which took place May 17, 1863, 
during Grant's pursuit of Pemberton toward Vicksburg, the Confederates 



64 Dictionary of United States History. 

were defeated, and lost heavily both in killed and captured. McClernand, 
swiftly following the retreating Confederates, came upon them drawn up on 
both sides of the Big Black River. McClernand led 10,000 Federals, Pem- 
berton 8000 Confederates, his main command having gone on toward Vicks- 
biirg. McClernand began the fight. He was for a time unsuccessful, but 
Lawler, discovering a weak spot in the Confederate line, immediately took 
advantage of it and charged impetuously. The Confederates were routed. 

Bigelow, John, born in 1817, of New York, in 1849 became, with 
William Cullen Bryant, joint owner of the Eve7iiiig Post, and was managing 
editor till 1861, when he went to Paris as U. S. Consul, and was Minister to 
France from 1865 to 1867, when he became Secretary of State of New York. 
He is trustee under the will of Samuel J. Tilden and his literary executor. 
His chief literary work was the editing of the full text of Franklin's Auto- 
biography. 

" Biglow Papers," two series of extraordinarily brilliant political satires 
written by James Russell Lowell. The first, satirizing the Mexican War 
and contemporary politics, from the point of view of the New England 
Abolitionists, appeared (i 846-1 848) in the Boston Courier ai\A the Natio7ial 
Anti-Slavery Standard.. The second, satirizing the South and contemporary 
politics during the period of Civil War and reconstruction, appeared (1S61— 
1866) in the Atlantic Monthly. The papers are attributed to Hosea Biglow, 
a typical young Yankee farmer, Rev. Homer Wilbur, a typical old-school 
New England clergyman, and Birdofredum Sawin, a character intended to 
represent the non-Puritan element in the New England democracy. 

Billeting Act, an act passed by Parliament in 1765 directing Colonial 
legislatures to make specific contributions toward the support of an army. 
Bernard, Governor of Massachusetts, caused it to be printed in the colony 
laws. It was resisted in New York and in South Carolina. 

Bills of Credit. This was the term employed in the eighteenth century 
to indicate paper money issued by any government, and made a legal tender 
for debts. The Constitution of 1787 forbids any State to issue bills of credit, 
or to make anything but gold and silver a legal tender. This was done 
because of the discreditable and disastrous over-issues by the States during 
the twelve years preceding. A similar prohibition upon the Federal govern- 
ment was discussed but not incorporated in the Constitution. Hence, in 
1862, the Federal government issued " greenbacks " which were to be a legal 
tender. (See " Legal Tender Cases.") 

Bills of Rights. The first in America was the Declaration of Rights 
which accompanied the Virginia Constitution of 1776. It was the work of 
Colonel George Mason, and was largely based on the English Bill of Rights of 
16S8. Its phraseology was extensively followed in the constitutions of other 
States, most of which contained bills of rights, defining the rights of the 
individual citizen as over against his government. The Constitution of 1787 
was strongly criticised for not including such a set of statements, and their 
absence made its ratification difficult. Accordingly the Federalists, in the 
Fir.st Congress, as they had promised, carried through amendments of this 
nature, and these now stand as the first ten amendments to the Constitution. 



Dictionary of United States History. 65 

Biloxi, Miss, first settlement made in what is now Mississippi by white 
men, was founded in 1699 by Pierre Lemoyne d'Iberville. 

Bingham, John A., born in 1815, of Ohio, lawyer, was a Republican 
member of Congress from 1855 to 1863 and from 1865 to 1873, and sat as 
judge-advocate at the trial of President Lincoln's assassins. 

Binney, Horace (i 780-1875), of Philadelphia, and an acknowledged leader 
of its bar. Such of his arguments as are in print are the admiration of the 
legal profession not only in this country, but in Great Britain, notably that in 
the case of Bidal vs. Girard's executors. He powerfully supported President 
Lincoln by his pamphlets on the right to suspend the writ of habeas corpus. 

Birney, David B. (i 825-1 864), of Pennsylvania, soldier in the Civil War, 
became major-general and commanded the Third Corps at Gettysburg after 
General Sickles was wounded. 

Birney, James Gillespie (1792-1857), was a graduate of Princeton, and 
a lawyer and politician in Kentucky. He became enthusiastically devoted 
to the Abolitionist cause, and was editor of the Philanthropist. He became 
secretary of the National Anti-Slavery Society, and when in 1840 and 1844 
the Abolitionists, as the Liberty party, put a ticket in the field, he was their 
candidate for President. 

Bishop Hill, in Henry County, 111., a Swedish communistic settlement 
of seekers after religious freedom. The colonists left Sweden under the 
leadership of Eric Janson in 1846. Janson was murdered in 1850. The 
settlement did not prove a success and slowly decayed through financial mis- 
management. It ceased to be a " community " in 1862. 

Bishops. Few things more exasperated the colonists than the scheme of 
appointing and sending out a bishop from England. It is said that there 
was a project of making Dean Swift bishop of the American colonies. In 
1771, at the instance of the clergy of New York and New Jerse)', the plan 
was again urged. The clergy of Virginia generally assented. But throughout 
America the dissenters and the Episcopal laity opposed. After the Revolution 
the case was altered. The first Episcopal bishop, Samuel vSeabun,-, of Con- 
necticut, was consecrated by Scotch non-juring bishops in 1784. The 
Methodists began to use the term bishop in 1787. The first Catholic bishop, 
John Carroll, of Baltimore, was consecrated in 1790. 

Bismarck, capital of North Dakota, dates its beginning from 1872. 

Bissell, Wilson S., born in 1847, of New York, lawyer, in 1873 became 
a member of the law firm of Bass, Cleveland & Bissell in Buffalo, and was 
appointed Postmaster-General by President Cleveland in 1893. 

Black, James (1823-1893), of Pennsylvania, reformer, was a leader in the 
organization of the Templars, was the first to propose a distinct Temper- 
ance party and in 1872 was its candidate for the Presidency. 

Black, Jeremiah S. (1810-1883), of Pennsylvania, jurist, was ^^^ of the 
Judges of its Supreme Court from 1851 to 1857, became Attorney-General 
5 



66 Dictionary of United States History. 

lender Buchanan, serv'ing as such till December, i860, when he became 
his Secretary- of State and exerted himself to save the government from 
falling into the hands of the secessionists. In 1861 and 1862 he was 
reporter of the U. S. Supreme Court. 

Black Cockade, a badge worn first by the American soldiers during the 
Revolution, and later, during the hostility toward France occasioned by the 
X. Y. Z. dispatches, adopted by the Federalists as a patriotic emblem and as 
a rejoinder to the tri-colored cockade worn by the. Republicans as a mark of 
affection toward France. 

" Black Friday," Friday, September 19, 1873, on which, with a great 
financial crash in Wall street, including the failure of Jay Cooke & Co., the 
leading American bankers, the panic of 1873 began. Also, Sept. 24, 1869. 

Black Hawk (1767-1838), a noted Chief of the Sac and Fox Indians. 
He joined the British in the War of 1812. By the treaty of 1830 the tribes 
ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi, but their removal west was 
opposed by him and the so-called Black Hawk War ensued. On being 
completely defeated August, 1832, Black Hawk surrendered. 

Black Hawk War. Under the provisions of the treat)' with the chiefs of 
the Sac and Fox Indians at Prairie du Chien, July 15, 1830, their land east 
of the Mississippi was ceded to the whites. Black Hawk, a prominent 
chief, refused to submit to the treaty. In 1831 he made an attack upon 
some Illinois villages, but was driven off by a force of militia under General 
Gaines in June of that year. The next spring he returned with a strong 
force and began to massacre the whites. General Scott marched some 
United States troops against him. Black Hawk was defeated at the Wis- 
consin River July 21, 1832, by General Dodge and again, August 2, by 
General i\tkinson at Bad Axe River. This ended the war. 

Black Rock (near Niagara), was, in the War of 1812, bombarded by the 
British November 17, 1812. The barracks were fired, valuable property 
destro3-ed and a magazine exploded. No lives, however, were lost. Next year 
Lieutenant Colonel Bisshopp, with 400 men, crossed the Niagara Jul)' 11, 
1 81 3, to capture the stores and ship)-ard at this place. The attack at first 
was successful, but the Americans rallied and with the aid of friendly Indians 
drove the British back to their boats in confusion, with the loss of their com- 
mander. The total British loss was seventy; the Americans lost eight men 
and a large quantity of military stores. Later, General Riall, with 1000 
British regulars and Indians, crossed the Niagara, December 30, 1813, and 
attacked the Americans, 2000 strong, at Black Rock and Buffalo. The 
American militia behaved in a cowardly manner and were forced back to 
Buffalo, which, however, was at once abandoned. The village was then 
plundered and burned, together with four war vessels. This ended the 
measures of retaliation for the burning of Newark. 

" Black Warrior," an American merchant vessel, seized and confiscated 
by Cuban customs officers in May, 1854. This seizure was used as an excuse 
for proposed filibustering expeditions against Cuba. Spain, however, made 
compensation for the seizure. 



Dictionary of United States History. 67 

Blackburn, Joseph C. S., born in 1S3S, of Kentucky, served in the Con- 
federate army through the war, and was a member of Congress from 1875 to 
1S85, since which he has been in the U. S. Senate. 

Blackfeet Indians received their name after their separation from the 
Kena Indians and migration to the Missouri. Those in the United States are in 
Montana, and liave been constantly at war. 

Black's Reports, law reports of cases from the Supreme Court of the 
United States from 1861 to 1862, by Jeremiah S. Black. There are two 
volumes of these reports. 

Blackstock Hill, Battle of, November 20, 1780. In the fall of 1780 the 
patriots of South Carolina became more active. At Blackstock Hill, General 
Sumter defeated Tarleton's cavalry, after a sharp encounter. The disgrace of 
Fishing Creek was thus wiped out. 

Blackstone, William, died in 1675, a clergyman of the Church of England, 
and pioneer, was the first settler in Boston (1625). His land became the 
famous " Common;" he was afterward the first white settler of Rhode Island. 

Bladensburg, Md., near Washington, laid out in 1742, is celebrated as 
the site, not only of the battle, but of the duelling-ground where many 
famous duels growing out of quarrels in Washington were fought, c. (^.^ that 
in which Barron killed Decatur in 1820. Toward the latter part of the War 
of 1 81 2 General Ross and Admiral Cockburn with about 5000 men appeared 
in Chesapeake Bay to attack Washington. The American forces fell back 
to Bladensburg (four miles from Washington) and awaited the British. The 
Americans numbered about 7000 men, but were scattered and untrained. 
August 24, 1814, the British advanced to the attack. The American artillery 
held them in check for a time, but the troops rallied and pushed forward. 
The Americans fled in wild disorder; the confusion spread and soon General 
Winder, the American commander, gave orders for a general retreat. By 
this battle Washington was exposed to capture. The American loss was 
seventy-six men; the British more than 500 killed and wounded. 

Blaine, James Gillespie (January 31, 1830— January 27, 1893), was born 
at West Brownsville, Pa. He was graduated at Washington College in 
Pennsylvania in 1847, and became a teacher. In 1854 he settled in Augusta, 
Me., and assumed the editorship of the Kennebec Journal. He was soon a 
power in State journalism and politics, was elected to the Legislature in 
1858, and was chairman of the Republican State Committee. He entered 
Congress as a Representative from Maine in 1863, and acquired a brilliant 
reputation as an able and versatile debater and an aggressive party leader. 
These qualities with his knowledge of parliamentary law made him Speaker 
of the House for three terms, 1869-1875. In 1876-1881 he was United States 
Senator. This prominence and his " magnetic " character brought him to 
men's minds as a candidate for the Presidency. In 1876 he was one of the 
two leaders for the Republican prize; in 1880, while beaten himself by the 
persistency of the Grant advocates, he dictated the nomination of Garfield, 
and entered the latter's Cabinet in March, 1881, as Secretary of State. His 
interference in the Chilian-Peruvian imbroglio is a matter of history. He 



68 Dictionary of United States History. 

resigued office in December, 1881, soon after President Arthur's accession. 
In 1 884 he was on the fourth ballot nominated to the Presidency, and between 
his advocates and those of Mr. Cleveland there ensued one of the most 
extraordinary and exciting personal campaigns on record. His reputation 
had been assailed before, particularly from his alleged connection with the 
Little Rock Railroad matter, and a formidable section of the Republican 
party bolted his candidacy. So much the more vigorous was the support 
of the many friends of the "Plumed Knight." The defection of the Mug- 
wumps and the singular alliterative utterance of Mr. Burchard (see Burchard) 
are variously assigned as the cause of his loss of New York State by a small 
majority, and consequent loss of the election in the country' at large. In 
1889 he became Secretarj' of State in President Harrison's Cabinet. He 
will probably be best remembered in this office for his furtherance of the 
Pan-American conference and advocacy of reciprocity. He suddenly re- 
. signed in June, 1892, and was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican 
nomination. He died at Washington. His political reminiscences and 
comments are given in his " Twenty Years in Congress " (published 1884- 
1886). 

Blair, Francis Preston (1791-1876), was a prominent politician for half 
a century. As the editor of the ll'asking/on Globe he wielded a great influ- 
ence in the Jacksonian wing of the Democratic party. After the political 
disintegration caused by slavery, he became one of the founders of the 
Republican party but avoided advocating a radical policy. Toward the 
close of his life he acted again with the Democrats. 

Blair, Francis Preston (1821-1875), was the son of Francis P. Blair. 
He served in the Mexican War, after which he practised law and was a mem- 
ber of the Missouri Legislature. He was a Republican Congressman from 
Missouri in 1857-59 and 1861-63. He took an important part in saving 
Missouri for the Union at the opening of the war, and was afterward dis- 
tinguished as a division and corps commander in the Vicksburg campaign 
and in Sherman's march through Georgia to the sea. Joining the Democratic 
party he was on its ticket with Seymour as vinsuccessful candidate for 
Vice-President in 1868. His last important office was that of United States 
Senator from Missouri in 1871-73. 

Blair, Henry W., born in 1834, of New Hampshire, Senator. In the 
Civil War he became lieutenant-colonel, and was twice severely wounded at 
Port Hudson. He was a Representative in Congress from 1875 to 1879 and 
U. S. Senator from 1879 to 1891. He introduced the so-called " Blair School 
Bill " which twice passed the Senate but failed in the House. 

Blair, John (1732-1800), of Virginia, jurist, became a Judge of the Court 
of Appeals in 1777 and afterward Chief Justice ; in 1780 Judge of the High 
Court of Chancery. He was a delegate to the Federal Constitutional Con- 
vention and a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1789 
to 1796. 

Blair, Montgomery (1813-1883), of Marj'land, statesman, served in the 
Seminole War. Was Mayor of St. Louis in 1842 and Judge of the Court of 



Dictionary of United States History. 69 

Common Pleas of Missouri from 1843 to 1849, but removed to Marj-land in 
1852. In 1861 he was appointed Postmaster-General by President Lincoln. 
His resignation was accepted in 1864, after which he acted with the Demo- 
cratic party. 

Blair Bill, a bill which passed the Senate in 1884 and 1886, for giving 
Federal money to States for purposes of education, in sums proportioned to 
their number of illiterates. It was introduced by Senator H. W. Blair, of 
New Hampshire. It failed in the House. 

Blakeley, Johnston (1781-1814), of North Carolina, naval officer, was 
made master-commander in 1813 and appointed to the new sloop "Wasp," 
with which, in 1814, he captured the "Reindeer," after a severe action of 
nineteen minutes, for which Congress voted him a gold medal. After cap- 
turing several more vessels, the " Wasp" foundered at sea with all on board. 

Bland, Richard (1710-1776), of Virginia, called the "Antiquary," was a 
member of the House of Burgesses from 1745 till the Revolution, and a very 
active patriot, and in 1774 a delegate to Congress. 

Bland, Richard P., born in 1835, was a lawyer and business man and 
came into prominence as a Democratic Congressman from Missouri. Since 
1873 he has been steadily a member of the Lower House, generally a leading 
member, and several times chairman of the important committee on coinage. 
He is one of the best-known advocates of the free and unlimited coinage of 
silver. He was a chief promoter of the Bland Act in 1875, and has cham- 
pioned the white metal persistently with or against the trend of his party or 
of the country. 

" Bland Dollar," so called after Congressman Bland, of Missouri, author 
of the Bland Act of 1875, under the provisions of which the Secretary of the 
Treasury was to purchase each month sufficient bullion to coin 2,000,000 
of silver dollars of 4i2}4 grains each, to be considered a legal tender. Coin- 
age began in 1878. 

Blatchford, Samuel (i 820-1 893), of New York, jurist, was appointed 
Judge of the U. S. District Court for the Southern district of New York in 
1867, and in 1882 an Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. 

Blennerhassett, Harman (1764 or 1 765-1 831), was born in England. Be- 
coming imbued with republican ideas, he disposed of his estates and came 
to the United States in 1797 and purchased an island in the Ohio River, upon 
which he erected a fine mansion. He became interested in the schemes of 
Aaron Burr, to which he contributed large sums and for complicity in which 
he was arrested on a charge of treason, but discharged. The proceedings 
ruined him. 

"Blessing of the Bay," the first seaworthy vessel built in the United 
States. She was built at Mistick, Mass., for John Winthrop, and was 
launched July 4, 1631. She was used for a number of years in trade with 
the Connecticut colonies and the Dutch settlers of New York. 

Block, or Blok, Adriaen, Dutch navigator, visited Manhattan (now New 
York) about 1613 and again in 1614 in the " Tiger," which being accidentally 



■JO ' Dictionary of United States History. 

burned lie built the "Unrest," a sixteen-ton yacht, in which he coasted as 
far north as Nahant, discovering the Housatonic and the Connecticut and 
the island which bears his name. 

Blockade. iVt the outbreak of the Civil War the Federal government, in 
lieu of a competent navy, only twelve serviceable vessels being at home, 
fitted out a miscellaneous fleet of merchant craft for blockading the Con- 
federate ports. The Confederate government had passed a law requiring 
every English vessel that entered its ports to bring arms and supplies as part 
of its cargo, and thus munitions were never lacking. Albemarle Sound 
and the ports of New Bern and Plymouth were the favorite entrances for 
blockade runners, many of whom were successful. The first naval expedition 
was against these places. West-bound blockade runners commonly went 
first to the British port of Nassau, in the Bahamas, and thence to Charleston 
or North Carolina ports. Charleston was blockaded in 1863, and blockade 
running became exceedingly hazardous thenceforth. United States cruisers 
exercised the right of stopping and searching neutral vessels in the manner 
usual in international war. Vessels captured because of attempts to break 
the blockade or to carry contraband goods, or as property of the enemy, 
were taken into port and submitted to the adjudication of the prize courts, 
as prizes of war. Congress passed no new laws establishing any new 
principles respecting condemnation; and the prize courts proceeded entirely 
upon the rules of international law. The capture of the brig ' 'Amy Warwick " 
on the high seas, bound from Rio Janeiro to Richmond with a cargo of tobacco, 
first distinctly raised the question of the right of the United States to 
exercise war powers in suppressing the insurrection. The brig was captured 
as " enemy's property," since she belonged to persons at Richmond. 

Blommaert, Samuel (about 1590-about 1670), Colonial patroon. In 1629 
he, with Samuel Godyn, purchased of the natives most of what is now 
Delaware and planted a colony called Swaanendael which was soon utterly 
destroyed by the Indians. 

Bloody Bill, sometimes called the Force Bill, passed by Congress INIarch 
2, 1833. Its aim was to enforce the tariff of 1832, which the Legislature of 
South Carolina had declared null and void. 

Bloody Brook, Mass. (See Deerfield.) 

Bloody Shirt. To wave the blood)' shirt meant, in Congress or other 
places, to revive the memories of the Civil War by impassioned allusions. 
The term was mostly used in the times about 1880. 

Blount, James H., born in 1837, of Georgia, was elected a Democratic 
Representative in Congress from 1873 to 1893. In March, 1893, he was 
appointed Special Commissioner to investigate affairs in Hawaii and the 
conduct of American officials there in connection with the then recent 
revolution in that government. In May he was appointed minister to the 
Hawaiian Islands, but returned in the autumn. 

"Blue Laws." At the second stated meeting of the newly-formed 
General Court of New Haven, held in that town in April, 1644, it was 
ordered that "the judicial laws of God, as they were delivered by Moses," 



Dictionary of United States History. 71 

should be considered binding on all offenders and should be a rule to all the 
courts of the jurisdiction, " till they be branched out into particulars here- 
after." These provisions have developed the current notions of New Haven's 
Criminal Code, and these notions have been greatly aided by the absurd code 
of " Blue Laws," published in a history of Connecticut by the Rev. Samuel 
Peters, an ingenious and highly unreliable writer. Here are specimens of the 
Blue Laws sometimes quoted: 

" No one shall run on the Sabbath day, or walk in his garden, or else- 
where, except reverently to and from meeting." 

" No woman shall kiss her child on the Sabbath or fasting day." 
" No one shall read Common-prayer, keep Christmas or saints' days, make 
minced pies, dance, play cards, or play on any instrument of music except 
the drum, trumpet and jews-harp." 

Blue Lights. During the second war with England, Decatur made several 
attempts on dark nights to escape from the blockaded port of New London 
{1813). He declared that his failure was due to signals of blue lights flashed 
from the shore to warn the British. This led to the opponents of the war 
being stigmatized as " Blue-light Federalists." 

Blue Lodges, a secret pro-slavery order in Western Missouri, formed 
about 1S54 to aid the Southern mission work of establishing slavery in 
Kansas. In March, 1855, they crossed the Missouri and forcibly deposited 
their ballots for the pro-slavery candidates. 

Blunt, James G. (1826-1881), of Kansas, soldier, major-general in the 
Civil War, served in Arkansas and Missouri, which, after several engage- 
ments, he relieved of the Confederate invasion under Price. 

Board of Admiralty, organized by the Continental Congress, October 
28, 1779, from the earlier and more numerous Marine Committee. It con- 
sisted of two members of Congress and five others and had charge of all 
naval and marine affairs. It was abolished February 7, 1781, upon the crea- 
tion of the Secretary of Marine. 

Board of Trade and Plantations. Oliver Cromwell made some attempts 
to establish a board which should supervise and regulate the commerce of 
the colonies in America. No definite results were reached, however, until 
1660, when Charles II. established two separate councils, one for trade and 
the other for foreign plantations. These were from 1672 to 1675 united. The 
" Board of Trade and Plantations " was established in 1695, and was the 
governing body having charge of the English colonies in America from that 
time to 1768, when the "Secretary of State for America" was called into 
existence. In 1782 the board was abolished. 

Board of \A/ar. On June 12, 1776, the Continental Congress, urged by 
an appeal from Washington, established a Board of War and Ordnance, based 
upon the contemporary' English Oixlnance Department. It consisted of five 
members of the Congress, and John Adams was made chairman. October 
17, 1777, it was resolved to create a Board of War, to consist of three mem- 
bers (later five), not delegates. The board had charge of all matters per- 
taining to war, including records, supplies, the raising of troops and money. 



72 Dictionary of United States History. 

The original Board of War and Ordnance, however, continued to exist. In 
1781 a Secretary of War was instituted, who in 1782 took the place of the 
board. 

Body of Liberties, a code of 100 fundamental laws established by the 
General Court of Massachusetts in December, 1641. Hitherto there had been 
no written law in the colony, justice having been administered wholly upon 
principles of equity. The Body of Liberties was drafted by Nathaniel Ward, 
pastor of the church at Ipswich. It laid down the fundamental principles 
of the sacredness of life, liberty, property and reputation, and prescribed 
general rules for judicial proceedings. 

Bohemia Manor, a grant of 5000 acres of land along the Elk River made 
by Lord Baltimore, in 1666, to Augustine Herman, a Bohemian surveyor, 
who promised therefor to make a map of Maryland. Herman obtained 
papers of denization and was naturalized with his family under the first act 
of that kind passed in the province. 

Boise City, Idaho, was first settled as a trading post of the Hudson Bay 
Company. The town was laid out in 1863 and became the capital of the 
State (then territory) in 1864. 

Boker, George H. (1823-1890), of Philadelphia, author, wrote several 
successful pla}'s and many patriotic lyrics. He was U. S. Minister to Turkey 
from 1871 to 1875 and to Russia from 1875 to 1879. 

Bolivar, Simon (1783-1830), liberator, was the most prominent figure in 
the struggle of the Spanish South American provinces for independence, 
being at times absolute dictator. He had the warm sympathy of American 
public men. 

Bolivia. A treaty of peace, friendship, commerce and navigation was 
concluded between the United States and Bolivia May 13, 1858. The rights 
of neutrals in this treaty were carefully explained. 

Bollman's Case. Bollman was brought before the Supreme Court of the 
United States in 1807 on a writ of habeas corpus ad siibjicioidum^ charged 
with being implicated in a treasonable attempt to levy war upon the United 
States. (See Burr, Aaron.) The argument of the counsel for the defendant 
turned upon the authority of the Supreme Court to issue writs of habeas 
corpus ad subjicicndinti, also upon the nature of a treasonable act. It was 
decided that the court could issue writs of habeas corpus ad subjiciendum^ 
but judgment was found for the plaintiff for lack of precision in evidence, to 
prove the place of commission of the treasonable act. Also it was decided 
that a mere conspiracv to subvert the government by force is not treason; 
an actual levying of war is necessary. 

Bonaparte, Charles J., born in Baltimore in 1851, lawyer, the only sur- 
viving grandson of Madame (Patterson) Bonaparte, has been prominent in 
the movement for civil service refonn. 

Bonaparte, Charles Lucien Jules Laurent (1803-1857), ornithologist, 
eldest son of Lucien Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother, came to Philadelphia 



Dictionary of United States History. 73 

and published several valuable works on his favorite science. In 1848 was 
a republican leader in Rome and vice-president of the constituent assembly. 

Bonaparte, Elizabeth (Patterson) (1785-1879), wife of Jerome Bonaparte 
(youngest brother of Napoleon), to whom she was married in 1803 by Arch- 
bishop Carroll with all requisite legal formalities. She sailed for Europe in 
1805, but the opposition of Napoleon prevented her landing and she was 
obliged to take refuge in England. The marriage was annulled by a decree 
of the Council of State, and she returned to America. Jerome married the 
Princess Caroline of Wiirtemberg. 

Bonaparte, Jerome (1784— 1860), King of Westphalia, youngest brother 
of Napoleon. His marriage with Miss Patterson, of Baltimore, in 1803 was 
declared null by Napoleon, who made him, in 1807, King of Westphalia. 
He commanded a division at Waterloo. From his exile at Trieste he returned 
to France and was made Field IMarshal in 1850. 

Bonaparte, Joseph (1768-1844), King of Spain, elder brother of Napoleon, 
was made King of Spain by Napoleon in 1808, but left it after his defeat by 
Wellington at Vittoria. He came to the United States after Waterloo and, 
except for a brief period, lived till 1841 in Bordentown. N. J., where he was 
very popular. 

Bonaparte, Louis Napoleon. (See Napoleon IH.) 

Bonaparte, Napoleon. (See Napoleon I.) 

" Bonhomme Richard," an old East Indiaman fitted up as a man-of-war 
by the French at L'Orient in 1779, and commanded by Paul Jones. She 
sailed from ly'Orient under American colors, but with French instructions 
and accompanied by two French vessels, the " Alliance " and the " Pallas." 
Jones attempted to enter the harbor of Eeith, Scotland, but was prevented 
by storms. On September 23 the vessels encountered a British merchant 
fleet, guarded by two British warships, the " Serapis " and the " Countess of 
Scarborough." The " Pallas " quickly captured the " Scarborough," a small 
twenty-gun vessel. Jones unhesitatingly attacked the " Serapis," though his 
vessel was far inferior at every point. He lashed the " Serapis' " bowsprit 
to the " Richard's " mizzenmast and raked the former's deck with musketry. 
The " Serapis " poured broadside after broadside into the " Richard." Finally 
a bucket of hand grenades, thrown down the " Serapis' " hatchways, com- 
pelled her commander to surrender. Jones transferred his crew to the 
" Serapis," and the " Richard " sank in a few hours. 

Bonus Bill, a bill submitted by Calhoun, December 23, 1816, appropriating 
$1,500,000 " for constructing roads and canals and improving the navigation 
of watercourses." The bill was passed, being strongly supported by New 
York and the South. It was supposed the money would immediate! ^• be 
applied to the construction of a canal between Albany and the lakes. Presi- 
dent Madison vetoed the bill during the last days of his administration, insist- 
ing that internal improvement measures needed a constitutional amendment. 
Accordingly New York State undertook the construction of the Erie Canal, 



74 Dictionary of United States History. 

Bonvouloir, M. de, French diplomatist. His reports to Vergennes of his 
conferences with Franklin at Philadelphia in 1775 did much to bring about 
the French alliance. 

Boone, Daniel (1735-1820), was born in Pennsylvania and died in Mis- 
souri. He was a daring and skillful hunter in North Carolina and in 1769 
started for the region which is now Kentucky, thus becoming the pioneer 
in the settlement of that State. He founded Boonesborough on the Ken- 
tucky River and was for many years the chief hero among the many rude 
and picturesque figures of the frontier. He excelled especially in Indian 
warfare, the most striking episode of which was perhaps the battle of the 
Blue lyicks in 1782. Countless stories are related of his adventures and 
hair-breadth escapes. His last years were passed in poverty, though a grant 
of lauds was finally bestowed upon him by Congress. 

Boonville, or Booneville, Mo. Here, June 17, 1861, Captain Nathaniel 
L5'on, commanding about 2000 Federal troops, defeated Price, the Confed- 
erate general, whose army numbered several thousand poorly armed and 
unorganized volunteers. This battle was the outcome of numerous seces- 
sionist plots fomented by Governor Jackson, of Missouri, and General Price. 
Lyon captured twenty prisoners, two six-pounder guns and the supplies of 
the Confederate camp. 

Booth, Edwin (1833-1893), actor, first appeared as such at the Boston 
Museum in 1849. He was brilliantly successful, not only in the United 
States, but in England and Germany, in Macbeth, King Lear, Othello, lago, 
Richard III., Shylock and other parts, and especially in Hamlet, with which 
his name is inseparably connected. 

Booth, John Wilkes (1839-1865), actor, during the Civil War was a violent 
secessionist. On the night of April 14, 1865, he shot President Lincoln at 
Ford's Theatre, Washington. He was concealed for a time by friends in 
Maryland, but fled to Virginia, where he was shot in a barn by his pursuers, 
April 26. 

Booth, Junius Brutus (1796-1852), actor, after establishing his reputation 
in England came to the United States in 1821, where, and in occasional 
visits to England, he greatly extended his fame. 

Border Ruffians, a name applied to the pro-slavery men of Missouri who, 
in 1855 and after, during the struggle in Kansas, were accustomed to cross 
over into that State to earn.- elections and harass the anti-slavery settlers. 
The name was sometimes used by these men themselves and not always 
regarded as a term of reproach. 

Border States, a name applied to the Slave States of Delaware, IMar^'land, 
Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, as lying next to the Free States, and some- 
times including North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas. These States 
were particularly anxious both before and during the Civil War for an 
amicable settlement of all difficulties. They originated the Peace Conference 
of 1 86 1. Of the Border States only Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and 
Arkansas seceded. 



Dictionary of United Statks History. 75 

Borie, Adolph E. (1809-1890), of Philadelphia, merchant, acquired a large 
fortune and gave large sums to aid soldiers in the Civil War. From March 
to June, 1869, he was Secretary of the Navy. 

Borneo. A commercial treaty was concluded between the United States 
and Borneo in 1850. 

Boroughs. William Penn's charter of the territory west of the Delaware 
River authorized him, in 1681, to erect the country, among other divisions, 
into boroughs similar to those of England. This system of boroughs con- 
tinues in Pennsylvania to the present time, and exists also in New Jersey, 
Minnesota and Connecticut. In New Jersey boroughs were established in the 
early part of the last century; in Connecticut in the early part of the present 
century. Their growth was gradual. Beginning with 1619 Virginia had 
eleven boroughs. These were later reduced to two. Lord Baltimore's 
charter entitled him to create boroughs in Maryland. Gorges also established 
boroughs in ]\Iaine under his charter of 1639. 

Boscawen, Edward (1711-1761), British admiral, distinguished himself 
at Porto Bello and Carthagena and in 1758 in conjunction with Lord Amherst 
reduced Louisbourg and Cape Breton. 

Boston, capital of Massachusetts, was founded by John Winthrop and his 
company in 1630. The settlement grew in prosperity until the French and 
Indian War, when it suffered heavy exactions. Opposition to the measures 
of the British ministry began here. The Stamp Act and Tea Act aroused 
indignation. Troops were quartered in the town. On December 16, 1773, 
a party disguised as Mohawk Indians emptied three cargoes of tea into the 
harbor. The port was closed by the British Parliament June i, 1774. The 
British army, besieged in Boston by the Americans from June, 1775, evacu- 
ated the town in March, 1776. The Constitution of the State was here 
adopted in 1780. In 1822 Boston became a city. From 1830 to i860 it 
was regarded as the headquarters of the anti-slavery and other refonu move- 
ments. The city was visited by a disastrous fire in 1872, which burned on 
two days, November 9 and 10, involving a loss of over $80,000,000. The 
population of Boston in 1708 was 12,000; 1719, 18,000; 1780, 23,000; 1800, 
25,000; 1850, 139,000; 1875, 360,000; 1890, 448,477- 

Boston Athenaeum, a library supported by subscription and founded, with 
a governing board of trustees, April 7, 1807. When John Ouincy Adams 
went as Minister to Russia he deposited his library in the Athenaeum, nearly 
doubling its collection. A valuable collection of coins, antiques and curiosities 
is also contained in the Athenseum. It now possesses over 105,000 volumes. 

"Boston" Case (1837). A Georgia fugitive slave escaped on the ship 
" Boston " bound for Maine and reached Canada. The Governor of Georgia 
charged the captain with slave-stealing and demanded his return as a fugitive 
from justice. The Governor of Maine refused, whereupon the Legislature of 
Georgia called upon Congress to so amend the laws as to compel the Maine 
Governor to comply. No action was taken. 

" Boston Gazette," the second newspaper issued in the American colonies. 
It was begun December 14, 17 19, by William Brooker, who succeeded John 



76 Dictionary of United States History. 

Campbell as the postmaster of Boston. Campbell had founded the Boston 
News Letter^ which now encountered its first opposition in the rival Boston 
Gazette. The latter journal was owned and conducted by five successive 
postmasters until 1739, when it was merged with the New England Weekly 
Journal^ a paper started in 1727. This paper proved a sore trial to Camp- 
bell, the owner of the Boston News Letter, which had had a clear field for 
fifteen years. 

Boston Massacre. During 1769 and the early months of 1770 continual 
quarrels and misunderstandings occurred between the Boston populace and 
the British soldiers stationed in the town, over the persistent non-observance 
of the navigation acts. In February, 1770, a press gang from the British 
frigate " Rose " boarded a ship belonging to Hooper, of Marblehead, and a 
riot followed. On the night of March 5, the ringing of fire bells brought 
together a large crowd and the usual collision with the soldiers took place. 
The soldiers fired. Three persons were killed and several others severely 
wounded. The news of the Boston Massacre spread rapidly, strengthening 
the revolutionary spirit. The soldiers were acquitted. 

" Boston News Letter," the first genuine newspaper published in the 
United States. The first issue appeared at Boston April 24, 1704. The 
paper was a weekly, was edited and published by John Campbell, then post- 
master at Boston, and was printed by Bartholomew Green. It was issued 
every Monday and appears to have been the outgrowth of a series of news 
letters from London, which Campbell, as controlling the news centre, in his 
capacity of postmaster, received from time to time and sent to the Governors 
of the several New England colonies. These letters were a digest of the 
happenings, political and social, in England and on the Continent, with here 
and there a suggestion as to the politics and government of the American 
colonies. The Boston Neivs Lettej' consisted at first of two pages, eight by 
twelve inches. Its publication was suspended in 1776. 

Boston Port Act, an act proposed in Parliament by Lord North and passed 
]\Iarch 31, 1774, in retaliation for the destruction of cargoes of tea in Boston 
harbor. The act provided for the discontinuation of " landing and discharging, 
lading or shipping of goods, wares and merchandise at the town and within 
the harbor of Boston." Commerce was transferred to Salem and Marblehead. 
General Gage arrived to enforce this measure on June i. Much indignation 
and sympathy were felt for the Bostonians throughout the colonies, and 
material aid in gifts was rendered them. Broadsides were forthwith issued 
in Boston and Worcester against the use of British goods. 

Boston Public Library, authorized by an act of the Massachusetts State 
Legislature April 3, 1S48, and fonnally opened in Mason street near its 
present site March 20, 1854. The second building was begun September 17, 
1855, and was completed in 1858. Gifts of books and money have been 
made by a number of prominent New Englanders. The Library with eleven 
branches contains nearly 600,000 volumes. The new building is now (1894) 
nearly completed. 

Boston, Siege of. Immediately after Lexington and Concord, Boston was 
invested by 16,000 Americans under General Ward. The first attempt to 



Dictionary of United States History. 77 

narrow the lines resulted in the defeat of the Americans at Bunker Hill (q. 
v.). On July 3 Washington succeeded Ward. Through the fall and winter 
he drilled his men and drew his siege lines closer. He waited only for am- 
munition and siege guns to begin more active operations. Having secured 
these in the early spring of 1776 from Ticonderoga (q. v.), he seized Dor- 
chester Heights on the night of March 4, 1776. Here he commanded the 
city and the fleet, and on March 1 7 Howe, who had succeeded Gage, was 
obliged to evacuate Boston. 

Boston University was chartered by the Methodists in 1869. Its school 
of Theology was founded in 1847, its Law School in 1872, its Medical School 
in 1873. 

" Boston Weekly Post," an older paper under a new name. In 1735 
Thomas Fleet became possessed of the Boston Weekly Rehearsal^ which he 
continued under the name of the Boston Weekly Post. He declared himself 
of no party and invited contribution from all parties and upon all subjects. 
This paper was issued with considerable success until 1775, when it was 
suspended. 

" Boston Weekly Post-boy," a newspaper founded at Boston in 1734 by 
Ellis Hushe, appointed postmaster that year. It was published in opposition 
to the Boston Gazette and continued until 1755, when it was suspended. 

Botetourt, Norborne Berkeley, Baron (1717-1770), became colonial Gov- 
ernor of Virginia in 1768, and as such exerted himself to effect reconciliation 
between the colonists and the mother country. He was highly popular. 

Botts, John Minor (1802-1869), of Virginia, statesman, was first elected 
to Congress in 1839. When President Tyler seceded from the Whig party 
Mr. Botts violently denounced him and thereafter supported Mr. Clay. 
During the Civil War he was a strong Unionist. 

Boudinot, Ellas (1740-1821), of New Jersey, was Delegate to Congress 
most of the time from 1777 to 1784, was its president in 1782 and as such 
signed the Treaty of Peace with England. He was a member of Congress 
from 1789 to 1795, Director of the Mint from 1795 to 1805, and was much 
interested in the education of the Indians and in missionary enterprises. 

Boundaries. Colonial boundaries were often disputed, grants having been 
made by kings ignorant or careless of American geography. For these the 
tribunal was most commonly the Privy Council of the King of Great Britain. 
After the Revolution Congress took jurisdiction over them. The Articles 
of Confederation in 1781 provided an elaborate mode, modelled on English 
procedure under the Grenville Act of 1770, for selecting a court which 
sliould ixy such disputes between States. Since 1789 such cases have been 
within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, like other cases between 
States. (For the boundaries of the United States and their histor)', see 
Versailles, Treaty of. Annexations, Northeast Boundary and Northwest 
Boundary.) 

Bounty Lands. On September 16, 1776, Congress passed a resolution, 
promising both commissioned and non-commissioned officers who would 



78 Dictionary of United States History. 

enlist in the cause of the Revolution certain " bounty lands," to be taken 
from the " Crown lands," or Northwest Territory, which was then claimed 
in portions by several States. Maryland protested vigorously against this 
resolution on the ground that she had no extra lands, and would therefore 
be unfairly taxed. 

Boutwell, George S., born in 1818, cabinet officer, was a lawyer and 
Democratic member of the Massachusetts lycgislature. By a coalition of 
the Free-soilers and Democrats he was elected Governor of Massachusetts 
in 1851 and 1852. He was a delegate to the Peace Conference, and was in 
1862-1863 the first commissioner of internal revenue. He next served as 
Republican Congressman 1 863-1 869, and was one of the managers of the 
impeachment of President Johnson. In Grant's first administration Bout- 
well was Secretary of the Treasury 1869-73, and then became U. S. Senator, 
serving until 1877. 

Bowditch, Nathaniel (1773-1838), of Massachusetts, mathematician. His 
greatest work was a translation of Laplace's " M^canique Celeste," but his 
best known is the " American Navigator." 

Bowdoin, James (1727-1790), of Massachusetts, statesman. In 1756 he 
became an executive councillor, in which capacity he oi^posed the encroach- 
ments of the governors. In 1775 he was president of the council; in 1779 
presided over the State Constitutional Convention. In 1785 and 1786 he 
was chosen Governor, in which position he put down Shays' Rebellion. 

Bowdoin College, (Congregational), was chartered in 1794 and opened in 
1802 at Brunswick, Me. It was named in honor of Governor James Bowdoin, 
of Massachusetts. The Medical School of Maine, founded in 1820, is con- 
nected with this college. 

Bowie, James (1790-1836), of Texas, soldier. A weapon which he used 
in a melee was the model of the celebrated " Bowie knife." He went to 
Texas about 1830 and was killed at the Alamo. 

Bowles, Samuel (1826-1878), entered the office of the Spriiigfield Repub- 
lican at an early age, and in 1851 succeeded his father in the management 
of the journal. He made his paper one of the foremost organs of public 
opinion in New England, and acquired a national reputation as a journalist. 
He visited Europe and the Pacific slope on several occasions, and wrote 
accounts of his travels, including the work " Our Great West." He was a 
Republican in politics down to his support of Greeley's candidacy in 1872. 

Bowyer, Fort (Mobile Bay), attacked September 14, 1814, by a combined 
land and naval force of British and Indians. They were repulsed with the 
loss of one vessel and 232 men. The Americans lost eight men. 

" Boxer," brig. (See " Enterprise.") 

Boyd, Linn (i 800-1 859), of Kentucky, was first elected to Congress in 
1835, was re-elected from 1839 to 1855, and was Speaker of the House from 
1 85 1 to 1855. He was afterward Lieutenant-Governor for one year. 



Dictionary of United States History. 79 

Boydton Road, Va., a charge upon the Confederates by Ord's two divi- 
sions of Grant's anny, then operating about Richmond and Petersburg, 
April I, 1865. This was one of the closing battles of that famous campaign. 
The charge took place at dawn and was directed along the Boydton Road 
toward Hatcher's Run against the rear of the Confederate intrenchments. 
The lines were forced and several thousand prisoners captured. 

Braddock, Edward (about 1 695-1 755), was an English general of the old 
school, who was sent by the government as generalissimo in America soon 
after the opening of the French and Indian War. He confidently expected 
to reduce the French posts, and marched from Virginia on Fort Duquesne, 
taking few precautions, and disregarding the advice of Washington and 
others. On July 9, 1755, his army was entrapped on the banks of the Mon- 
ongahela near the fort by an inferior Franco-Indian force. Braddock had 
five horses shot under him and was mortally wounded in a contest in which 
he showed little generalship, but much bravery. He died four days later. 

Braddock's Field (July 9, 1755). On May 10, 1755, General Braddock 
took command of 2200 men at Fort Cumberland to advance upon Fort 
Duquesne. The army moved slowly, clearing a way, and on July 7 was 
about eight miles from the fort. The fort was strongly situated and well 
garrisoned ; but the commandant determined to strike a blow on the advanc- 
ing English. On the morning of the ninth an ambuscading party of 
900 left the fort. The British had passed the ford of the Monongaliela, 
and were advancing through thick woods when they were assailed from all 
sides. They stood bravely, but could see no foe. Being huddled together 
they were fairly mowed down. Their courage at length forsook them — they 
broke and fled. The mortality was terrible. Of eight^^-six officers sixty-three 
were killed and disabled. Of 1373 troops only 459 came ofl^ unharmed. The 
French loss was trifling. Colonel Washington distinguished himself by his 
bravery. Braddock was mortally wounded. Dunbar, next in command, 
insisted on retreat, and left the frontier unguarded. 

Bradford, William (1588-1657), was born at Austerfield, in England, and 
was prominent in the company of Separatists, who, in 1607-08, left England 
for Holland. He was among the leaders of the Mayfloivcr Pilgrims, and on 
the death of Carver, in April, 162 1, was chosen Governor of the struggling 
Plymouth Colony. This post he retained, with a few intermissions, until 
his death. Governor Bradford was the author of a very valuable " History 
of the Plymouth Plantation " down to the year 1647. This volume, which 
had remained in manuscript, and had been frequently quoted, disappeared 
from Boston during the confusion of the Revolution, and was singularly dis- 
covered in England in the Fulham library in 1855, and printed the next year. 

Bradford, William (i 755-1 795), of Philadelphia, jurist, in 1780 was 
appointed Attorney-General of Pennsylvania, in 1791 a judge of its Supreme 
Court, and from 1794 until his death, was Attorney-General of the United 
States. 

Bradley, Joseph P. (1813-1892), jurist, was appointed an Associate Justice 
of the Supreme Court of the United States by President Grant in 1870, 



8o Dictionary of United States History. 

which office he held until his death. He was a member of the celebrated 
" Electoral Commission " of 1877, and is generally regarded as having given 
the casting votes which decided the contest in favor of Hayes. 

Bradstreet, Anne (1612-1672), of Massachusetts, poetess, married Governor 
Bradstreet in 1628. Some of her poems were published, and received great 
praise from her contemporaries. They are interesting as the work of the 
first poetess of New England. 

Bradstreet, John (1711-1774), soldier, served in Pepperell's regiment in 
the expedition against Louisbourg in 1745. In 1758 he captured Fort 
Fronteuac, served with Amherst against Ticonderoga in 1759, and negotiated 
a treaty of peace with Pontiac in 1764. He was made major-general in 1772. 

Bradstreet, Simon (1603-1697), colonial Governor of Massachusetts, to 
to which he came in 1630, in 1660 was sent to England to congratulate 
Charles II. on his accession, was Governor from 1679 to 1686, and again after 
Andros' recall till 1692. He was in the service of Massachusetts sixty-two 
years. He opposed the witchcraft delusion. 

Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876), was graduated at West Point in 1837. In 
the Mexican War he was distinguished at the battle of Buena Vista. He 
resigned from the arm)', and on the outbreak of the Civil War joined the 
Confederates. He served at Shiloh and succeeded Beauregard in command 
in the West. In the summer of 1862 he invaded Kentucky, and was defeated 
at Perr>'ville. He was defeated again at Murfreesboro', but in 1863 won the 
battle of Chickamauga. Grant defeated his army at the battles around 
Chattanooga, and General Bragg was removed from command. He served 
against Sherman toward the close of the war. 

Bragg, Edward S., born in 1827, of W^isconsin, soldier. In the Civil War 
he rose to the rank of brigadier-general and was a prominent member of the 
Forty-fifth, Fortj^-sixth, Fort}--seventh and Forty-ninth Congresses. 

Branch, John (1782-1863), was Governor of North Carolina from 1817 to 
1820. He was a Democratic U. S. Senator from 1823 to 1829, and was Sec- 
retary of the Navy in Jackson's Cabinet from 1829 ^° 1831. 

Brandon or Brendon, Saint (fifth centurj'), is related to have visited a 
Western land in which he traveled as far as a great river. In the early maps 
his country is represented west of the Cape Verde Islands and south of the 
Island of Antilia. 

Brandywine, Battle of, September 11, 1777. On Howe's advance upon 
Philadelphia from the head of Chesapeake Bay, Washington took up a strong 
position at Brandywine Creek, though he had but 11,000 to oppose to Howe's 
18,000. While Knyphausen engaged the centre, Cornwallis attempted a 
flank movement upon the American right. He met with obstinate resistance 
from Sullivan's division, which had formed a new front, but he forced it to 
retire. The American centre was now obliged to fall back; this movement 
was directed in a masterly way by General Greene. The right, attacked by 
Knyphausen in front and Cornwallis on the flank, also accomplished its 
retreat in good order. The British were thus masters of the field. It was a 



Dictionary of United States History. 8i 

battle in which the flank movement was warranted, but it was met with a 
promptness and sagacity which saved the Americans from defeat. About 
looo Americans fell. The British losses slightly exceeded that number. 

Brant, Joseph (1742-1807), chief of the Mohawk Indians, served in the 
British army during the Revolutionary War. He was active in the massacre 
at Cherry Valley and at Minisink in 1779. He led a tribe in St. Leger's 
expedition against Fort Stanwix in 1779. After the war he aided the U. S. 
Government in negotiating Indian treaties. 

Brashear City, La., a battle of the Civil War, occurring during Banks' 
command of the Federal army in Louisiana, June 23, 1863. Banks had 
several times engaged Dick Taylor during this campaign and his outposts 
were stationed in Brashear, while Banks himself was in pursuit of the Con- 
federates. Taylor, aware of the weakness of the Federal force, 2000 in all, 
eluded Banks, and joining Green and Mouton, together they hurried down 
to the town with 15,000 men. The Federals were easily defeated and the 
town captured, together with 1000 prisoners and large quantities of valuable 
stores. Five thousand refugee negroes were seized and returned to slavery. 

Brattleboro, Vt., was first settled as a military post (Fort Dummer) in 
1724. 

Braxton, Carter (i 736-1 797), was a member of the Virginia Legislature 
from 1761 to 1771. He was one of the Virginia Committee of Safety, a 
delegate to the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776, and signed the 
Declaration of Independence. He was a memljer of the Executive Council 
of Virginia from 1786 to 1791, and from 1793 to 1797. 

Brazil. A commercial treaty was concluded between the United States 
and Brazil December 12, 1828. By the convention of January 27, 1849, 
Brazil agreed to pay 500,000 milreis to settle claims of American citizens. 
An agreement regarding trade-marks was made in 1878. A reciprocity 
treaty was concluded January 31, 1891. 

Bread Riots. In 1837, during the period of general financial panic, prices 
rose enormously. Rents were exorbitant and flour was twelve dollars per 
barrel. During February and March the poor of New York held frequent 
riotous meetings, which culminated in violent assaults upon flour warehouses. 
In several instances storehouses were broken open and the mob helped them- 
selves. The militia was called out to quell the disturbance. 

Brearley, David (i 745-1 790), was an ardent patriot during the pre-Revo- 
lutionary movements. He served in the Continental army from 1775 to 
1779. He was Chief Justice of New Jersey from 1779 to 1789 (see Holmes 
vs. Walton), when he became a U. S. District Judge. When a member of 
the Federal Convention of 1787, he zealously opposed the unequal represen- 
tation of States. He signed the Constitution. 

Breckenridge, John (1760— 1806), was a member of the Kentucky Legisla- 
ture from 1797 to 1800. In 1798, with Jefferson and Nicholas, he draughted 
the famous " Kentucky Resolutions " and introduced them in the Legisla- 
ture. He was a Democratic leader in the U. S. Senate from 1801 to 1805, 
6 



82 Dictionary of United States History. 

and was prominent in the legislation concerning the annexation of Louisiana. 
He was Attorney-General in Jefferson's Cabinet from 1805 to 1806. 

Breckenridge, John Cabell (1821-1875), Vice-President of the United 
States, was a grandson of John Breckenridge. He fought in the Mexican 
War, and was a Democratic Congressman from Kentucky, 1851-55. He was 
elected Vice-President in 1856 on the ticket with Buchanan, and served from 
1857 to 1 86 1, and was the youngest man ever elected to the office. In i860 
he was the unsuccessful candidate for President of the ultra slavery wing of 
the Democratic party, and received seventy-two electoral votes. He was U. S. 
Senator in 1861, but joined the Confederates and was expelled from the Sen- 
ate. He was at the battle of Shiloh in 1862, and commanded at the defence 
of Baton Rouge the same year. He led the right wing at Murfreesboro', was 
at Chickamauga and Chattanooga, gained the battle of Newmarket in 1864, 
and served at Cold Harbor, in the Shenandoah Valley, in Eastern Tennessee, 
and at Nashville. For a short time before the end of the Rebellion he was 
Confederate Secretary of War. 

Breckenridge, William C. P., born in 1837, attained the rank of brigadier- 
general of cavalry in the Confederate service. He has represented Ken- 
tucky in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat since 1884. His present term 
expires in 1895. 

Breda, Treaty of, was a treaty concluded between England, France, 
Holland and Denmark at Breda in 1667. Among its provisions, those relat- 
ing to America were the restoration of Acadia (Nova Scotia) to France by 
England, while England secured her claims in the West Indies and retained 
New Netherlands (New York) from Holland. 

Bremen. An extradition convention was concluded in 1853 between the 
United States and Bremen. 

Brentwood, Tenn., a minor battle of the Civil War, occurring March 
25, 1863, in which Wheeler, Forrest and Wharton, commanding 5000 Con- 
federates, defeated 800 Federals under Bloodgood and G. C. Smith. 

Brevard, Ephraim (1750-1783), was a prominent and influential patriot 
of North Carolina. He was secretar>' of the Mecklenburg Convention of 
1775, and is said to have been the author of the famous (alleged) declaration 
which anticipated by over a year the Declaration of Independence of Con- 
gress. He served in the Continental army, and was taken prisoner at 
Charleston in 1780. 

Brewster, Benjamin H. (1816-1888), was Attorney-General of Pennsyl- 
vania from 1867 to 1869. He was Attorney-General in Arthur's Cabinet 
from 1 88 1 to 1S85. He distinguished himself in the prosecution of the 
Star Route trials. 

Brewster, William, "Elder" (1560-1644), led a band of "Separatists" 
from England to Holland in 1608. He obtained a grant of land in North 
America from the Virginia Company and brought over the first company of 
Pilgrims to what is now Plymouth, Mass., in 1620. He was pastor of the 
Plymouth colony till 1629. 



Dictionary of United States History. 83 

Brier's Creek, Battle of, March 3, 1779. General Lincoln detailed Ashe 
with 1500 men to narrow the lines about the British in Savannah. The 
British turned his position at Brier's Creek, and of Ashe's force only 500 
again reached the American camp. 

Briggs, George N. (1796-1861), represented Massachusetts in the U. S. 
Congress as a Whig from 1831 to 1843, and was prominent as an eloquent 
debater. He was Governor of Massachusetts from 1S43 to 1851. He was a 
Judge of the Massachusetts Court of Common Pleas from 1851 to 1856, and 
a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1853. 

Briggs Case. In his address on the occasion of his installation into the 
Edward Robinson professorship of Biblical Theology in the Union Theo- 
logical Seminary, of New York, January 20, 1891, Professor Charles A. 
Briggs asserted that reason is a fountain of divine authority no less savingly 
enlightening than the Bible and the church. His views were deemed not 
in accordance with the Presbj'terian Confession of Faith. Charges were 
brought against Dr. Briggs before the Presbyterian General Assembly. He 
was supported by his colleagues in the seminary. In 1892 Briggs was tried 
and acquitted by the New York Synod, the several charges not having been 
sustained. 

Bright, Jesse D. (1812-1875), was Lieutenant-Governor of Indiana in 
1841. He represented Indiana in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 1845 
to 1S62, when he was expelled for having, in a letter to Jefferson Davis, 
recognized him as president of the Confederate States. He was a member 
of the Kentucky Legislature in 1S66. 

Brinton, Daniel G., born in 1837, has made valuable contributions to the 
study of American archaeology, ethnology and linguistics. He wrote " Ameri- 
can Hero-IMyths," " The American Race," and edited a " Library of Aboriginal 
American Literature." 

Briscoe vs. Bank of Kentucky. The Bank of Kentucky brought suit 
against Briscoe and others as holders of a promissory note for which the notes 
of the bank had been given, as a loan, to the drawers of the note. The defend- 
ants claimed that their note was void since those given in return by the bank 
were nothing else than " bills of credit " and repugnant to the clause of the 
Constitution which prohibited States from issuing such bills. The Circuit 
Court and the Court of Appeals of Kentucky gave judgment for the bank on 
the ground that the act incorporating tlie Bank of Kentucky was constitu- 
tional and that the notes issued were not " bills of credit " within the 
meaning of the National Constitution. In 1834 the Supreme Court came 
near deciding adversely; but in 1837, when the case was finally decided, it 
was decided in favor of the bank, the bills not being deemed " bills of credit " 
in spite of the close relations of bank and State. 

Bristoe, or Bristow Station, Va. Here, August 27, 1862, while Jackson 
was awaiting Lee's arrival with reinforcements from Longstreet's division, 
40,000 troops under McDowell were sent against him by General Pope. A 
brief engagement ensued, Jackson retiring slowly toward Manassas Junction 



84 Dictionary of United States History. 

with the main body and leaving his rear-guard to cope with McDowell. 
October 14, 1863, during Lee's operations in Northern Virginia, Warren, 
commanding a large force of Meade's Union Army, encountered here and 
defeated A. P. Hill, leading a strong body of Confederates. Warren lost 
200 killed and wounded. The Confederate loss was greater. 

Bristol, R. I., was not settled by white people until the termination of 
King Philip's War in 1679. Until 1747 it was a part of Massachusetts. 
It was the ancient residence of King Philip who was killed here in 1676. 
During the Revolutionary War it was bombarded by the British, and much 
of the town destroyed by fire. In the French and Revolutionary wars and 
the War of 1812 it was noted for its privateers. 

Bristow, Benjamin, born in 1832, attained distinction as a lawyer, serv^ed 
in the Civil War and afterward in the Kentucky State Senate and as District 
Attorney. In 1870-72 he filled the office of Solicitor-General. His national 
importance rests on his conduct of the treasury department under Grant in 
1873-76. His reputation for reform led to his candidacy for the Republican 
nomination for President in 1876. In this contest, however, Blaine and 
Bristow, the two leading candidates, were set aside, and Hayes received the 
nomination. Died 1896. 

Broad River, Battle of, November 12, 1780. Cornwallis, having learned 
the size and position of Sumter's force above Camden, sent Major Wemyss 
against him with mounted infantiy. He charged the picket but his force 
was repelled and himself wounded and taken prisoner. 

Broad Seal War, a controversy arising from disputed election returns in 
Middlesex County, N. J. In the congressional elections of 1838 the clerk 
of this county had thrown out the vote of South Ambo}' for the Demo- 
cratic nominees on the ground of defects in the returns. The Democrats 
protested, but the Whig representatives were declared elected and given 
certificates under the broad seal of the State. When Congress met, Decem- 
ber 2, 1839, the House contained 119 Democrats and 118 Whigs outside of 
New Jersey. The clerk refused to recognize the five New Jersey Whigs and 
the greatest confusion followed imtil on December 5, John Quincy Adams 
was elected speaker pro tempore. On December 17 the House after much 
wrangling chose R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, permanent speaker. The 
Democratic contestants were finally seated. 

Brock, Sir Isaac (i 769-181 2), came to Canada from England in 1802 in 
the British army. In 1810 he took command of the troops in upper Canada 
and i^repared the country for defence. In 181 2 he received the surrender of 
General Hull's anny at Detroit with all the stores, arms and cannon. He 
was killed at the battle of Oueenstown. 

Brodhead, John Romeyn (1814-1873), was Secretary of Legation in Hol- 
land from 1841 to 1844 and in England from 1846 to 1849. He collected 
the valuable records and documents relating to the history of New York, 
published as "N. Y. Colonial Documents," and wrote a valuable colonial 
"History of New York." 



Dictionary of United States History. 85 

Broke, Sir Philip B. V. (1776-1841), commanded the British ship " Shan- 
non," which in 1813 captured the American ship " Chesapeake," Captain 
Lawrence, oflf Boston harbor after an engagement of fifteen minutes. 

Brook Farm, a communistic industrial and literary establishment founded 
in Massachusetts, in 1841, by George Ripley and other persons of socialistic 
tendencies. It was suggested by the schemes of Robert Owen and the 
writings of Fourier. The farm was bought and stock assigned on a commu- 
nistic basis, and labor, manual or mental, received compensation on a time 
basis. The establishment failed in 1846, one of the largest buildings being 
destroyed that year by fire. Nathaniel Hawthorne and Horace Greeley were 
among those interested in the scheme. 

Brooke, Robert Greville, Lord (1608-1643), a Puritan lord, became one of 
the patentees of the Connecticut colony with Lord Say and Sele and others 
in 1632. Saybrook, Conn., was named for Lord Say and Lord Brooke. 

Brooklyn, N. Y., was settled in 1636 by a few Walloon colonists. 
English and Dutch settlers followed and in 1667 a charter was granted the 
town. In 1776 the site of the present town was the scene of the battle of 
Long Island. In 1834 Brooklyn became a chartered city. The population 
of Brooklyn was in 1800, 3298; 1830, 15,292; 1850, 96,850; i860, 266,661; 
1876, 500,000; 1890, 806,343. 

Brooklyn Heights. (See Long Island, Battle of) 

Brooks, James (1810-1873), established the New York Express in 1836. 
He represented New York in the U. S. Congress as a Whig from 1849 ^'^ 
1853 and as a Democrat from 1865 to 1873. He was associated with the 
" Credit Mobilier," and was censured by the House. 

Brooks, John (i 752-1 825), commanded a regiment at Saratoga and was 
adjutant-general at Monmouth. He was Governor of Massachusetts from 
1816 to 1823. 

Brooks, Phillips (1835-1893), was rector of Trinity Church, Boston, from 
1869 to 1 89 1. He was Protestant Episcopal Bishop of Massachusetts from 
1891 to 1893. He was regarded in England and the United States as the 
greatest preacher of his church. 

Brooks, Preston S. (1819-1857), served during the Mexican War. He 
represented South Carolina in the U. S. Congress as a States-rights Demo- 
crat from 1853 to 1859. In 1856 he savagely assaulted Senator Sumner 
with a cane in the Senate chamber for certain expressions in a speech " on 
the crime against Kansas." The resolution for his expulsion from the House 
was not carried. 

Brough, John (1811-1865), was prominent in Western journalism. He 
was a member of the Ohio Senate from 1835 to 1838, and was active in 
politics. He was Governor of Ohio from 1864 to 1865. 

Brown, Aaron V. (i 795-1 859), represented Tennessee in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1839 to 1845. He was Governor of Tennessee 



86 Dictionary of United States History. 

from 1845 to 1847, and Postmaster-General in Buchanan's Cabinet from 1857 
to 1859. 

Brown, Benjamin Gratz (1826-1885), was a member of the Missouri 
Legislature from 1852 to 185S. He edited the Missouri Demoaat from 
1854 to 1859. He commanded a brigade during the Civil War. He repre- 
sented Missouri in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1863 to 1867, was 
Governor of Missouri in 1871, and having an important part in the Liberal 
Republican movement, was the Liberal Republican and Democratic candi- 
date for Vice-President on the ticket with Horace Greeley in 1872. 

Brown, Charles Brockden (1771-1810), was the first American to adopt 
literature as a profession. He wrote upon topics of the times, and published 
six successful novels which were unsurpassed in America until the appear- 
ance of Cooper's works. 

Brown, Fort, scene of the two opening engagements of the Mexican War. 
Captain Thornton, of General Taylor's dragoons, was captured after some 
fighting on April 25, 1846, by Torrejon, the Mexican general. On May 3 of 
the same year Arista, commander-in-chief of the Mexican forces, opened fire 
upon the fort with the batteries of ]\Iatamoras. The fort is now so called 
because connnanded by Major Brown, who withstood a bombardment of 168 
hours, and died on May 8. It was originally Fort Texas. 

Brown, Henry B., born in 1836, of Michigan, jurist, was appointed Judge 
of the U. S. District Court for the eastern district of IMichigan in 1875, and 
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1890. 

Brown, Jacob (1775-1828), had been a militia general in New York when 
the War of 1812 called out his abilities. He gained a victory at Sackett's 
Harbor in 1813, was made a major-general in the regular army, and in 1814 
won the victories of Chippewa and Luudy's Lane. In 1821 he succeeded to 
the command of the anuy as general-in-chief. 

Brown, John (1736-1803), of Providence, R. I., a rich merchant, led the 
party which destroyed the " Gaspee " in 1772. He was a delegate from 
Rhode Island to Congress from 1799 to 1801. 

Brown, John (1744-1780), of Massachusetts, aided in the capture of 
Ticonderoga and took Fort Chambly in 1775. He served under Montgomery 
at Quebec. In 1777 he captured Ticonderoga together with large supplies. 

Brown, John [of Ossawatomie] (1800-1859), was born at Torrington, 
Conn., and early removed his home to Ohio. He was engaged in the wool 
business and farming, and developed into an ardent and uncompromising 
abolitionist. On the outbreak of the Kansas troubles he settled near Ossa- 
"watomie in 1855, and took an active part in the desultory warfare in that 
region, including the "Pottawatomie Massacre" of 1856. He had many 
sympathizers in the Northern States, and by 1859 ^'^'^ plans to liberate the 
slaves were matured. Having collected a small force, well armed, he sud- 
denlv on October 16, 1859, seized the arsenal at Harper's Ferry in Virginia. 
He was immediately blockaded, captured after a desperate resistance, tried by 
a Virginia court, and executed at Charlestown, Va., December 2, 1859. The 



Dictionary of United States History. 87 

effect of this abortive undertaking was immeasurable. It helped to " clear 
the air " both in the North and South and was an important link in the 
chain of events leading up to the war. Brown became a hero in the songs 
of the Northern armies. His life is written by F. B. Sanborn. 

Brown, Joseph Emerson, born in 1821, had risen to prominence as a 
lawyer when he became Governor of Georgia. His service in this position 
lasted from 1857 to 1865, including the Civil War period. In this struggle 
he took an active part, seizing Forts Pulaski and Jackson at the beginning 
of 1861, and advocating earnest resistance, though he was several times 
opposed to President Davis. He was Chief Justice of the State Supreme 
Court and U. S. Senator 1881-91. Died 1894. 

Brown, Nicholas (1769-1S41), of Providence, R. I., a successful merchant, 
was a liberal benefactor of Rhode Island College, which in 1804 changed its 
name to Brown University in his honor. 

Brown University was founded in 1764, by a union of Baptists with other 
sects, at Warren, R. I. In 1770 it was removed to Providence. It received 
its present name in 1804. Francis Wayland was its president from 1827 to 
1855. From 181 1 to 182S it had a medical school. 

Browning, Orville H. (1810-1881), represented Illinois in the U. S. Senate 
as a Republican from 1861 to 1863. He advocated the abolition of slavery. 
He was Secretary of the Interior in Johnson's Cabinet from 1866 to 1869. 

Brownists, the nickname applied to the religious Separatists of England 
during the latter part of the sixteenth century. Robert Brown, who intro- 
duced the Separatist doctrines, was a Church of England clergyman of 
Norwich until 1580, when he began declaiming against the discipline and 
ceremony of the church. The Puritans were largely influenced by the 
Separatist doctrines. The Pilgrim Fathers were Brownists. 

Brownlow, William Gannaway (1805— 1877), was in early life a Methodist 
preacher, and for many years edited the Knoxville JVhig. He strongly 
opposed secession and became known as the "Fighting Parson." During 
the war he was a centre of the Unionist feeling in Eastern Tennessee, and 
was at one time imprisoned. He was Governor of the State in 1865-69, and 
U. S. Senator 1869-75. 

Brown's Ferry, Tenn. , a skirmish of the Civil War during the manoeuvres 
around Chattanooga. At this place, October 27, 28, 1863, portions of Long- 
street's Confederate troops were surprised and routed by the Federals imder 
Hooker and Smith. Tlie latter general secured an advantageous position 
upon a height overlooking the ferry. Howard with a small force cut off the 
pickets on one side while Geary did the same on the other. The Confederate 
pickets had therefore to surrender. 

Brownson, Orestes A. (1803-1876), a versatile writer and theologian, was 
prominent in social and political reforms. He was active in the formation 
of the Workingmen's and Loco-foco parties in New York. 

Brownstown, Mich. Major Van Home with 200 men was herest defeated 
August 5, 1812, by a body of Indians in ambush; seventeen men were killed 



88 Dictionary of United States History. 

and mail containing important information as to the needs at Detroit was 
captured. 

Brownsville, Texas, captured November 5, 1863, during Banks' expe- 
dition to the Rio Grande, by Dana with a small Jparty of Federal soldiers. 
Bee, the Confederate general, was encamped at this place with a small force. 
He was easily defeated and driven out. 

Bruce, Blanche K., bom in 1841, was a slave in early life. He repre- 
sented Mississippi in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1875 to 1881. 
He became Register of the Treasury in 1881. 

Brunswick. Brunswick concluded with the United States in 1854 a con- 
vention respecting property. 

Brussels Conference, an international monetary conference, held at 
Brussels in the autumn of 1892 at the suggestion of the United States 
Government. The debate was chiefly upon the initial thesis of the Ameri- 
can programme suggested in the invitation to the convention, i. e., that it 
was desirable to find some means of increasing the use of silver in the 
currency systems of the nations. No definite step was taken at this conference. 

Bryan, \Villiam J., lawyer; born i860, vSalem, 111. In Congress 1891-92. 
Nominated for President, July 10, 1896, Democratic National Convention at 
Chicago. Defeated Nov. 3, 1896. Electoral vote, Bryan 176, McKinley, 271. 

Bryant, William CuUen (i 794-1 878), poet, first won distinction by his 
poem "The Embargo" in 1807. He was editor-in-chief of the A^cw York 
Evening Post from 1828 to 1878. The paper was noted for its democratic 
spirit and strongly supported the Government during the Civil War. He 
aided in forming the Republican party and entered zealously into all public 
questions. His most famous poem was " Thanatopsis." 

Bryn Mawr College, near Philadelphia, was founded in 1884 bv Jas. W. 
Taylor, AI. D. 

Buchanan, James (April 23, i79i-Jime i, 1868), the fifteenth President of 
the United States, was born near Mercersburg, Pa. He graduated at Dickin- 
son College in 1809, studied law, and soon entered the Pennsylvania Legis- 
lature. In 1821-31 he was Congressman and serv-ed as chairman of the 
Judiciary Committee. President Jackson sent him as Minister to Russia in 
1832; he returned the next year and in 1834 entered the U. S. .Senate. In 
that body he continued until 1845 when he entered President Polk's Cabinet 
as Secretary of State. While secretary he was called on to conduct the 
delicate questions arising from the Oregon dispute, the acquisition of Texas, 
and the Mexican War. He had been in 1844 mentioned for the Presidency 
and was a candidate in 1S52. During 1853-56 he was U. S. Minister to 
England. As the Democratic candidate for President in 1856 he was elected 
over Fremont the Republican and Fillmore the Know-Nothing, and served 
for the term 1857-61. His foreign policy was generally successful. As his 
term went on, the absorbing slavery question overshadowed all other issues. 
After the election of Lincoln and the beginning of secession it was Presi- 
dent Buchanan's misfortune to have the conduct of aSairs for three or four 



Dictionary of United States History. 89 

months of extreme excitement. His so-called " temporizing policy " during 
this period met with severe criticisms. After the close of his term he lived 
in retirement, and died at Lancaster, Pa. His life has been written by G. 
T. Curtis. 

Buckingham, Joseph T. (1779-1861), published the New England Galaxy 
from 1817 to 1828, and the Boston Courier from 1824 to 1848. He was a 
member of the Massachusetts Senate from 1847 to 1850. 

Buckingham, William A. (1804-1875), one of the "War Governors," was 
Governor of Connecticut from 1858 to 1866. He actively supported the 
Civil War. He represented Connecticut in the U. S. Senate as a Republican 
from 1869 to 1875. 

Buckner, Simon B., born in 1823, fought with distinction at Contreras, 
Churubusco and Molino del Rey. He fought at Fort Henry, and com- 
manded a brigade at Fort Donelson, which he surrendered to General Grant 
when left in command. He led a brigade in General Bragg's army in 
Tennessee, and commanded a division at Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. 
He was Governor of Kentucky from 1887 to 1891. 

Buckshot War. The control of the Pennsylvania House of Representa- 
tives in 1838, on which depended the choice of a United States Senator, 
turned upon the election in Philadelphia (October 9) where the Democratic 
candidates for the Legislature were elected by small majorities; but their 
Congressional candidate was defeated. Thereupon the Democratic return 
judges cast out 5000 Whig votes, claiming fraud. The Whig judges then 
issued certificates of election to both their Congressional and Legislative can- 
didates, and these returns were accepted by the Whig Secretary of State. 
At the opening of the Legislature, at Harrisburg, December 4, 1838, armed 
partisans were present. The Whig Senate adjourned because of the mob, 
and in the House two warring bodies assembled. The Whig Governor 
called on the militia, and tried, without effect, to obtain Federal aid. The 
Democratic House was finally recognized December 25. 

Bucktails, a name first given to the Tammany Society of New York City, 
from the circumstance of the members of the organization wearing a buck's 
tail in the hat as a badge. The Bucktails, from 181 2 to 1828, were anti- 
Clintonian New York Democrats. They were the most vigorous opponents 
of the Clinton canal policy from its inception (1817), and the name was 
finally applied to all who protested against this policy throughout the State. 
Under Martin Van Buren the Bucktails obtained control of the State tem- 
porarily. After Governor Clinton's death, in 1828, they became the Demo- 
cratic party of the State. 

Buell, Don Carlos, born in 1818, graduated at West Point in 1841, and 
served in the Mexican War. In the Civil War he was appointed in 1861 
to the Department of the Cumberland, and occupied the strategic point of 
Bowling Green. Part of his army arrived on the battle-field of Shiloh in 
time to render important aid in retrieving the fortunes of that contest. In 
the same year, 1862, he skillfully manoeuvred against Bragg's army of 



90 Dictionary of United States History. 

invasion, and defeated it at Perryville October 8. He was soon after super- 
seded by General Rosecrans. 

Buena Vista, Mexico, a celebrated battle between the American army 
under General Taylor, and the Mexicans under General vSanta Anna. It is 
sometimes called Angostura after the plateau upon which Taylor drew up 
his army. This battle lasted two days, September 22, 23, 1847, was hard 
fought, attended with considerable loss on both sides, and remained undecided 
until late in the second da}', when Taylor, by concentrating his batteries 
against the enemy's centre, and ordering his riflemen to cover his right 
flank, gained a complete victory. The first day's fighting had been confined 
to unsuccessful attempts by the Mexicans to drive Taylor from his position 
on Angostura heiglits. Hostilities were suspended during the night, the two 
armies suffering from the intense cold. The battle was nearlj' lost to the 
Americans at one time. Lane and O'Brien in charge of three guns and the 
second Indiana volunteers were driven from their position along the southern 
ridge of the heights, and were obliged to retreat to Buena Vista. Taylor 
arrived in time to cover their retreat with the second dragoons and the 
Mississippi riflemen. Santa Anna's poor generalship alone prevented defeat. 
Number engaged, Americans 4769, Mexicans 17,000. 

Buenos Ayres. (See Argentina.) 

Buffalo, N. Y., was founded in 1801, and became a military post in 1813, 
when it was burned by the British. It was rebuilt after the war and in 1832 
attained the rank of a city. After the opening of the Erie Canal in 1B25 
its growth was rapid. 

Bull Run, Va., the scene of two important battles of the Civil War. The 
first, the first great battle of the war, took place July 21, 1861, between Mc- 
Dowell commanding 28,000 Union soldiers, and Johnston and Beauregard 
leading 31,000 Confederates. Six Confederate brigades lay posted along the 
stream, and upon these McDowell resolved to begin his attack. Tyler 
was sent across the stone bridge to threaten the Confederate front. Hunter 
and Heintzelman were dispatched to make a detour and attack the enemy's 
flank and rear. But Johnston had also decided to hasten the attack in order, 
to anticipate Patterson's arrival with reinforcements for McDowell. How- 
ever, the latter moved first, so Johnston acted on the defensive. Tyler and 
Hunter were slow in their movements; still by midday McDowell had turned 
the Confederate left and uncovered the stone bridge. But now, instead of 
following his advantage and taking up his position at Manassas depot, he 
pursued the fleeing Confederates to the forest and was there repulsed by 
Jackson, who here gained his sobriquet of " Stonewall. " Johnston rallied 
the right, Beauregard the left, and the tide of battle began to turn in the 
Confederates' favor. Suddenly 17,000 fresh Confederate troops rushed across 
the field from Manassas, and Kirby Smith, having escaped Patterson in the 
valley, charged the already weakening Unionists. McDowell was instantly 
driven from the plateau which he occupied and a complete rout followed. 
McDowell in vain tried to cover his retreat with 800 regulars. There was a 
panic which spread almost to Washington. — Bull Run the second, or the 
battle of Manassas, occurred August 29, 30, 1862. General Pope, commanding 



Dictionary of United States History. 91 

a Union army of 40,000 men, advanced to attack Jackson, who was 
awaiting reinforcements from Lee at Bristoe station. McDowell had been 
dispatched to intercept L,ee's conjunction with Jackson, but he was 
immediately recalled and ordered to join Pope at Manassas Jnnction. Jackson, 
finding the way open, immediately retired toward Manassas Junction and 
took a strong position near Gainsville behind an old railroad grading. 
Pope ordered Sigel to attack him at daylight August 29. All the morning 
a duel of batteries continued and Pope, arriving about noon from Centreville, 
found both armies badly cut up. Pope expected McDowell and Porter to 
join him. The former arrived in the afternoon, but the latter never came. 
The battle continued until sunset, Jackson seeming several times on the point 
of retreating before such heavy odds. But Longstreet came up and the 
fighting ceased for the night. It began again the next day, but Pope's troops 
were so wearied out that he was early compelled to retire. 

Bulloch, Archibald (i730?-i777), was president of the Georgia provincial 
congress in 1775 and 1776. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress 
in 1776, and president of Georgia from 1776 to 1777. 

Bullock, Rufus B., born in 1834, was Governor of Georgia from 1869 to 
1870, when he resigned because of the opposition to negro representatives in 
the Legislature, whose rights he supported. 

Bulwer, Sir William Henry L. E. (1801-1S72), was British Minister to 
the United States from 1849 to 1852. He negotiated with Senator John M. 
Clayton the Clayton-Bulwer treaty whicli related to the establishment of a 
communication between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by canal at the Isth- 
mus of Panama, each party guaranteeing neutrality of communication. 

Buncombe, effusive rhetoric irrelevant to the business in hand. It is said 
that, many years ago, a member of Congress from Buncombe County, N. C, 
replied, on being taxed with the irrelevancy of his speech, " I am speaking 
not for you, but for Buncombe." 

Bunker Hill, Battle of (June 17, 1775). After the investment of Boston 
by the Continental troops it became evident that Boston was untenable unless 
the surrounding heights were secured. This General Gage intended to do. 
The committee of safety anticipated him and sent 1200 men under Colonel 
Prescott to seize and fortify Bunker Hill, on the night of the sixteenth. 
Breed's Hill, a more advanced though less protected position, was fortified 
instead. Dawn disclosed the American works to the British and a lively 
cannonade was directed upon the works. About three p. m., 3000 British 
veterans under Howe and Pigott charged up the hill, but a deadly volley 
awaited both. They gave way and retreated. In the meantime the village 
of Charlestown had been fired by shells from the fleet. Again the British 
charged. The Americans reserved fire until tliey were within thirty yards. 
Again the British ranks gave way before the fatal fire. Owing to confusion 
at headquarters neither reinforcements nor ammunition were promptly 
despatched to the American troops. About five o'clock the British charged 
again. They were at first shaken by the American fire, but the latter's 
cartridges were soon spent and after a stubborn hand-to-hand fight they left 



92 Dictionary of United States History. 

the field. The most lamented among the slain was the gallant General War- 
ren, who had fought as a volunteer in the ranks. 1054 of the British or over 
one-third of their whole number perished, of the Americans about a quarter 
or 449. Bunker Hill is thus one of the bloodiest battles of modern times. 
The immediate result was the possession of a strategic point by the English; 
upon the Americans its moral effect was to encourage their spirits and to 
inspire general respect for their soldierly ability. 

Bunker Hill Monument. The corner-stone was laid June 17, 1825, ^V 
Lafayette, before an enormous and enthusiastic crowd, among them many 
aged survivors of the battle fought fifty years before, who had gathered from 
far and near. After the singing of "Old Hundred," Daniel Webster delivered 
his famous address. The monument was completed June 17, 1843, and again 
Webster delivered the address before a tumultuously appreciative audience, 
among them President Tyler and some of his Cabinet. 

Burchard, Samuel D. (1812-1891), lecturer and preacher in New York. 
During the political campaign of 1884 he made a speech at a "ministers' 
meeting " called by the Republican party managers, during which he stig- 
matized the Democrats by the words " Rum, Romanism and Rebellion." 
This helped to lose the Republicans the election, by alienating the Roman 
Catholic vote. 

Bureau of American Republics. A bureau established under the recom- 
mendation of the Pan-American Conference of October, 1889, for the prompt 
collection and distribution of commercial information concerning the Ameri- 
can Republics. 

Bureaus of Labor Statistics. The first such government oflSce estab- 
lished was that of Massachusetts, created by Act of June 23, 1869. Penn- 
sylvania established one in 1872. Connecticut had one from 1873 to 1875, 
and re-established it in 1885. That of Ohio was established in 1877, that of 
New Jersey in 1878, those of Indiana, Missouri and Illinois in 1879, those 
of California, Wisconsin, New York and Michigan in 1883, those of Mary- 
land and Iowa in 1884. The U. S. Bureau of Labor was established by Act 
of June 27, 1884; an Act of June 13, 1888, substituted the Department of 
Labor. Since then thirteen other States have organized such bureaus. 

Burgesses, House of, the lower branch of the Colonial Legislature of Vir- 
ginia. The first House of Burgesses was summoned in 1619. The House 
met at Jamestown in the seventeenth century, at Williamsburg in the eigh- 
teenth. It consisted of two burgesses from each county, and one from each 
of three towns and William and Mary College. The printed journals begin 
with the year 1732. The forms of procedure were those of the House of 
Commons. The last session of the burgesses occurred in 1774. 

Burgoyne, John (1723-1792), one of the chief British commanders in the 
Revolutionary War, was a member of the House of Commons, and an army 
officer; he reached the grade of lieutenant-general, served in Canada in the 
early stages of the war, and was in 1777 intrusted with the command of a 
large force which was to pierce the American centre. He ascended Lake 
Champlain and captured the forts without great difficulty. But his march 



Dictionary of United States History. 93 

from the head of the lake to Fort Edward was delayed by Schuyler's obstruc- 
tions, while the auxiliary force under St. Leger came to grief, and Bautn's 
diversion into Vermont was defeated at Bennington. He fought the first 
indecisive battle of Stillwater with Gates' army September 19, 1777; in the 
second battle on October 7 he was defeated, and was obliged to surrender 
with nearly 6000 men at Saratoga October 17. He returned to England the 
next year and published in 1780 his " State of the Expedition." He was an 
author of some note, composing a number of poems and comedies. 

Burke, Edmund (1729-1797), the English orator and statesman, was bom 
in Ireland, educated in Trinity College, Dublin, and gained attention in 
literature, especially as the author of a treatise on " The Sublime and Beau- 
tiful." After some years spent as private secretary he was returned to the 
House of Commons in 1766. In the exciting debates attendant on the 
American Revolution he took a leading part. He favored constitutional order, 
freedom, championed the colonies,, and held the first rank as an orator and 
political thinker. In 1774 he delivered a great speech on American tax- 
ation, and the next year favored strongly a policy of conciliation. In 1782, 
and again in 1783, he held the office of paymaster of the forces, and draughted 
Fox's East India Bill. Burke led the attack on Warren Hastings in the 
House of Commons in 1786-S7, and in 1788 was one of the managers in 
that statesman's impeachment, and made a celebrated speech. Soon after 
the outbreak of the French Revolution Burke, as a lover of order and con- 
ser\'atism, broke with his friend Fox, denounced the Revolution, and pub- 
lished his " Reflections " on that event. The best biographies are by Prior 
and Morley. 

Burkesville, Va. Here Sheridan, pursuing the Confederates, defeated and 
fleeing from the battlefield of Five Forks, overtook, April 3, 1865, a body 
of their cavalry. They endeavored to make a stand and receive the Federal 
assault, but in vain. Sheridan easily dispersed them, taking many prisoners. 
This battle is to be remembered in connection with the close of the campaign 
around Richmond and Petersburg. 

Burlingame, Anson (1820-1870), rose to prominence in Massachusetts as 
a lawyer and politician. In 1855-61 he was Republican Congressman, and 
in 1861 he was sent as U. S. Minister to China. His diplomatic services 
there were so important that in 1868 he was appointed by the Chinese 
Government a special envoy to the United States and Europe. He negotia- 
ted at Washington in 1868 the Burlingame Treaty with China, and effected 
treaties with England, Prussia, Holland and other European countries. 

Burlington, N. J., was founded in 1677 by Friends. 

Burnet, David G. (1789-1870), was active in securing the independence 
of Texas. He was chosen provisional president of the republic in 1836 and 
afterward served as vice-president. 

Burnett, Frances Hodgson, born in 1849, came to America from England 
in 1865. She wrote "Through One Administration," "Little Lord Faunt- 
leroy," " That Lass o' Lowrie's," and other popular works of fiction. 



94 Dictionary of United States History. 

Burns Case (1854), the last great fugitive slave case in Boston. Burns 
was an escaped slave of a Virginia planter and was arrested in Boston on 
the charge of theft. He was then claimed as a fugitive. This aroused the 
people to fever-excitement and large meetings, addressed by Wendell Phillips 
and Theodore Parker, were held in Faneuil and Meionaon Halls on the even- 
ing of May 26. The audience, refusing to wait until morning, armed 
themselves with clubs and axes and broke into the jail, but were driven away 
by a pistol shot. Burns was tried and the order for his rendition issued. He 
was conveyed to the cutter " Morris," surrounded by a large military force. The 
streets were thronged and many of the houses were draped in black. Indict- 
ments for riot brought against Phillips, Parker and others were quashed on 
technical grounds. 

Burns, John (1793-1872), soldier, fought at Plattsburg, Oueenstown and 
Lundy's Lane. He distinguished himself by his patriotic zeal during the 
Civil War, particularly at the battle of Gettysburg. 

Burnside, Ambrose Everett (1824-1881), commander of the Army of 
the Potomac, graduated at West Point in 1847. He invented a breech-load- 
ing rifle, retired from the army and engaged in business. In the Civil War 
he led a brigade at the first battle of Bull Run and was in 1862 placed in 
command of an expedition to North Carolina; this force captured Roanoke 
Island on February 8, and Newbern March 14. He was now made a corps 
commander in the Army of the Potomac, and rendered important services at 
the battle of South Mountain and at Antietam where he held the stone bridge 
against repeated attacks. In November, 1862, he succeeded McClellan in 
command of the army. On December 13 was fought the fatal and ill-advised 
battle of Fredericksburg, and in January, 1863, General Burnside was super- 
seded by Hooker. Having been appointed to the command of the Depart- 
ment of the Ohio he kept down treason, and was later in 1863 besieged in 
Knoxville by Longstreet. He acted as corps commander in the Army of 
the Potomac at the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, etc. In 1866-68 
he was Republican Governor of Rhode Island, and in 1S75-81 U. S. Senator 
from the same State. 

Burr, Aaron (February 6, 1756-September 14, 1836), was born at 
Newark, N. J., and was the grandson of Jonathan Edwards. He graduated 
at Princeton in 1772, and joined the army at the outbreak of the Revolution. 
He served in Arnold's famous expedition through Maine to Canada, and 
afterward rose to the rank of colonel. Studying law, he rose soon to a 
position among the leaders of the New York bar, and was a member of the 
Legislature, and Attorney-General of the State. Of fascinating manners and 
unscrupulous principles he rapidly became a political power in the State and 
the nation. He was Republican U. S. Senator from New York in 1791-97, 
and later was a member of the New York Assembly. His prominence and 
power in the Republican party caused him fo be a formidable aspirant for 
the Presidency. In the exciting contest of 1800-01 Colonel Burr and Jeffer- 
son each received seventy-three electoral votes for President, and the matter 
was left to the House of Representatives, which finally' chose Jefferson for the 
first and Burr for the second place. Burr was accordingly Vice-President 



Dictionary of United States History. 95 

in 1801-05. A bitter personal and political rivalry with Hamilton led to a 
duel between the two at Weehawken, July 11, 1804, in which Hamilton was 
mortally wounded. On his retirement from the Vice-Presidency Burr 
engaged in mysterious and wide-reaching schemes, the purpose of which was 
apparently the formation of an independent State in the Southwest. These 
schemes were arrested by a proclamation of President Jefferson in October, 
1806, and in the following year Burr was tried for treason at Richmond, but 
was acquitted. After some years of wandering in Europe he returned to 
New York to the practice of law, but died in obscurity and poverty at 
Staten Island. There are lives by Parton, Davis, etc. 

Burrites, in New York politics, the followers of Aaron Burr, a faction, 
chiefly of Democrats, organized by him through his connection with the 
Tammany Society. In 1807 they coalesced with the Lewisites, adherents of 
Morgan Lewis, to form the body called " Martling men," later Bucktails. 

Burritt, Elihu (i 810-1879), while pursuing the trade of a blacksmith, 
acquired proficiency in many languages. He established the Christian 
Citizen in 1842 in the interests of international peace, and the abolition of 
slaver\'. He was an ardent advocate of the compensated emancipation of 
slaves. He was U. S. Consul at Birmingham from 1865 to 1870. He wrote 
" Handbook of the Nations " and " Walks in the Black Country." 

Burrows, Julius C. , born in 1837, has represented Michigan in the U. S. 
Congress as a Republican since 1885. He was twice elected Speaker /ro 
tempore during the Fifty-first Congress. His present term expires in 1899. 

Burrows, ^A^illiam (i 785-1813), was acting lieutenant in Preble's 
squadron during the Tripolitan War. He commanded the " Enterprise," 
which captured the " Boxer " in 1813, but was killed during the engagement. 

Bushnell, Horace (1802-1876), Congregational pastor in Hartford, Con- 
necticut, from 1833 to 1859, was prominent for the originality and boldness 
of his thought on religious topics. 

Bussey, Cyrus, born in 1833, commanded a brigade at Pea Ridge. He 
was chief of cavalr>- at Vicksburg, and defeated General Jackson at Canton 
in 1863. In 1864 he commanded and organized the Department of Kansas. 

Butler, Benjamin F. (1795-1858), was a New York district attorney from 
1821 to 1825. He was appointed one of the three commissioners to revise the 
statutes of New York in 1825. He was Attorney-General of the United 
States in the Cabinets of Jackson and Van Buren from 1833 to 1838. He 
was also acting Secretary.' of War from 1836 to 1837, and was a prominent 
member of the " Albany Regency." 

Butler, Benjamin Franklin (November 5, 1818-January 11, 1893), was 
graduated at Waterville College in Maine in 1838. He became a successful 
lawyer at Lowell and was elected to the Massachusetts House of RepresL-nta- 
tives and Senate. In i860 he was delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention at Charleston and withdrew from the adjourned convention 
which met at Baltimore. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was made a 



96 Dictionary of United States History. 

brigadier-general and took possession of Baltimore. Becoming a major- 
general, he commanded in Eastern Virginia, where he lost the battle of Big 
Bethel in Jnne, 1861, and issued the famous order referring to the negroes as 
contraband of war. Later in the year he captured Forts Hatteras and Clark. 
In April, 1862, he co-operated with Farragut in the capture of New Orleans 
and was appointed commandant in that city. It was here that he attracted 
wide attention by his stern measures for the preservation of order, and roused 
considerable criticism as well as earned the undying hatred of many of 
the Southerners. In 1864, as commander of the Army of the James, he 
co-operated with Grant in the advance on Richmond. His military career 
closed with an unsuccessful attack upon Fort Fisher in December, 1864. 
He was a Republican Congressman from Massachusetts, 1867-75 and 1877-79. 
He failed in his attempts to secure the Republican nomination for Governor 
of Massachusetts in 1S71 and 1872, and in 1878 and 1879 he was defeated 
as the Greenback candidate. He was, however, elected in 1882 by the 
Democrats as one of the " tidal wave " Governors and aroused considerable 
excitement in 1883 by his administration. He failed of a re-election and in 
18S4 ran for President as the Greenback and Anti-Monopoly candidate. 
Besides his reputation as politician and general he was widely known as a 
skillful lawyer. He wrote an autobiography entitled " Butler's Book." 

Butler, John, died in 1794. He commanded the Indians in Sir William 
Johnson's Niagara campaign in 1759 and in the Montreal expedition of 
1760. He joined the British at the outbreak of the Revolution and con- 
ducted predatory warfare in New York. He conducted the famous " Wyoming 
massacre" in 1778. He engaged in Johnson's raid on the Schoharie and 
Mohawk regions in 1780. 

Butler, Matthew C, born in 1836, became a major-general in the Con- 
federate service. He has represented South Carolina in the U. S. Senate as 
a Democrat since 1877. His present term expires in 1S95. 

Butler, Pierce (1744-1822), came to America from Ireland as a British 
soldier. He was a delegate from South Carolina to the Old Congress in 
1787, was a member of the convention that framed the Federal Constitution, 
and signed the Constitution. He represented South Carolina in the U. S. 
Senate from 1789 to 1796 and from 1802 to 1804. 

Butler, William Orlando (1791-1880), was an officer in the War of 1812. 
In 1839-43 he was a Democratic Congressman from Kentucky, and ran 
unsuccessfully in 1844 for Governor of that State. He was a major-general 
in the Mexican War, and was distinguished at the taking of Monterey in 
1846. He was in 1848 the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Vice-Presi- 
dent on the ticket with General Cass. 

Butler, Zebulon (1731-1795), served in New Jersey from 1777 to 1778, 
He was commander at Wyoming, Pennsylvania, at the time of the massacre. 
He served with distinction in General Sullivan's Indian expedition of 1779. 

Butterfield, Daniel, born in 1831, led a brigade at Hanover Court House 
and Gaines' Mills. He commanded a corps at Fredericksburg and was chief 
of staff at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain and Missionary 



Dictionary of United States History. 



97 



Ridge. He commanded a division at Resaca, Dallas and Kenesaw. He 
resigned in 1869 and was for some time Sub-Treasurer of the United States 
in New York. 

Butterworth, Benjamin, born in 1822, represented Ohio in the U. S. Senate 
as a Republican from 1878 to 1882. He was Commissioner of Patents in 
1883, and a U. S. Congressman from 1884 to 1886. 

Butts, Isaac (1816-1874), edited the Rochester Advertiser from 1845 to 
1849. He originated and promulgated the doctrine known as " Squatter 
Sovereignty " or " Popular Sovereignty," that the people of each territory 
should decide the question of slavery for themselves. He edited the Rochester 
Union from 1857 to 1864. He was an original writer upon economic and 
political subjects. 



Cabeza de Vaca, Alvar Nunez (1507-1559), Spanish explorer, went with 
Narvaez to Florida in 1527, and accompanied him on his westward march 
and voyage. He was wrecked near Matagorda Bay in Texas, and captured 
by the Indians, among whom he became a medicine-man. Finally escaping 
he reached Mexico after many wanderings, during which he discovered the 
Rio Grande. He was afterward the first explorer of Paraguay. 

Cabinet. The Constitution, without providing distinctly for a cabinet, 
authorizes the President to consult the heads of the departments. Washington 
thus consulted his Secretary of State, Secretary' of the Treasury, Secretary of 
War and Attorney-General. The secretaryship of the navy was instituted in 
1798, and its incumbent was at once treated as a member of the cabinet. 
The Postmasters-General before 1829 were not. The Secretary of the Interior 
became such at once upon his institution in 1849, the Secretaiy of Agriculture 
similarly in 1S89. Lists of the holders of cabinet office follow. 

Cabinet Officers. The figures at the left indicate the administrative per- 
iods of four years, corresponding to the following Presidents: i, 2, Washing- 
ton; 3, John Adams; 4, 5, Jefferson; 6, 7, Madison; 8, 9, Monroe; 10, J. Q. 
Adams; 11, 12, Jackson; 13, Van Buren; 14, W. H. Harrison; 14^', Tyler; 
15, Polk; 16, Taylor; i6i7, Fillmore; 17, Pierce; 18, Buchanan; 19, 20, 
Lincoln; 20a, Johnson; 21, 22, Grant; 23, Hayes; 24, Garfield; 24^, Arthur; 
25, Cleveland; 26, B. Harrison; 27, Cleveland. 



Secretaries of State. 



1. Thomas Jefferson, 

2. Thomas Jefferson, 
Edmund Randolph, 
Timothy Pickering, 

3. Timothy Pickering, 
John Marshall, 

4. James Madison, 

7 



Date of Commission. 



Virginia, 


September 26, 


1789 


Virginia. 






Virginia, 

Pennsylvania, 

Pennsylvania. 


January 2, 
December 10, 


1794 
1795 


Virginia, 
Virginia, 


May 13, 
March 5, 


1800 
1 801 



98 



Dictionary of United States History. 









Date of Commission. 


5- 


James Madison, 


Virginia. 








6. 


Robert Smith, 


Maryland, 


March 


6, 


1809 




James Monroe, 


Virginia, 


April 


2, 


1811 


7- 


James Monroe, 


Virginia, 


February 


28, 


1815 


8. 


John Quincy Adams, 


Massachusetts, 


March 


5. 


1817 


9- 


John Quincy Adams, 


Massachusetts. 








lO. 


Henry Clay, 


Kentucky, 


March 


7- 


1825 


II. 


Martin Van Buren, 


New York, 


March 


6, 


1829 




Edward Livingston, 


Louisiana, 


May 


24, 


1831 


12. 


Louis McLane, 


Delaware, 


May 


29. 


1833 




John Forsyth, 


Georgia, 


June 


27, 


1834 


13- 


John Forsyth, 


Georgia. 








14. 


Daniel Webster, 


Massachusetts, 


March 


5- 


1 841 


i4« 


. Hugh S. Legar6, 


South Carolina, 


May 


9. 


1843 




Abel P. Upshur, 


Virginia, 


July 


24. 


1843 




John Nelson {acting)^ 


Maryland, 


February 


29, 


1844 




John C. Calhoun, 


South Carolina, 


March 


6, 


1844 


15- 


James Buchanan, 


Pennsylvania, 


March 


6, 


1845 


16. 


John M. Clayton, 


Delaware, 


March 


7. 


1849 


i6fl' 


. Daniel Webster, 


Massachusetts, 


July 


22, 


1850 




Edward Everett, 


Massachusetts, 


November 


6, 


1852 


17- 


William L. Marcy, 


New York, 


March 


7> 


1853 


18. 


Lewis Cass, 


Michigan, 


March 


6, 


1857 




Jeremiah S. Black, 


Pennsylvania, 


December 


17, 


i860 


19. 


William H. Seward, 


New York, 


March 


5. 


1 861 


20. 


William H. Seward, 


New York. 








20rt' 


. William H. Seward, 


New York. 








21. 


Elihu B. Washburne, 


Illinois, 


March 


5. 


1869 




Hamilton Fish, 


New York, 


March 


II, 


1869 


22. 


Hamilton Fish, 


New York, 


March 


i7> 


1873 


23- 


William M. Evarts, 


New York, 


March 


12, 


1877 


24. 


James G. Blaine, 


Maine, 


March 


5. 


1881 


24a 


. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, 


New Jersey. 


December 


12, 


1881 


25- 


Thomas F. Bayard, 


Delaware. 


March 


6, 


1885 


26. 


James G. Blaine, 


Maine, 


March 


5. 


1889 




John W. Foster, 


Indiana, 


June 


29, 


1892 


27. 


Walter Q. Gresham, 


Indiana, 


March 


6, 


1893 




Richard Olney 


Massachusetts, 


June 


6, 


1895 




Secretaries of the Treasury, 








I. 


Alexander Hamilton, 


New York, 


September 


II. 


1789 


2. 


Alexander Hamilton. 


New York. 










Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 


Connecticut, 


February 


2, 


1795 


3- 


Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 


Connecticut. 










Samuel Dexter, 


Massachusetts, 


January 


I, 


1801 


4- 


Samuel Dexter, 


Massachusetts. 










Albert Gallatin, 


Pennsylvania, 


May 


14, 


1801 


5- 


Albert Gallatin, 


Pennsylvania. 









Dictionary of United States History. 



99 



6. Albert Gallatin, 
George W. Campbell, 

7. Alexander J. Dallas, 
William H. Crawford, 

8. William H. Crawford, 

9. William H. Crawford, 

10. Richard Rush, 

11. Samuel D. Ingham, 
Louis McLane, 

12. William J. Duane, 
Roger B. Taney, 
Levi Woodbury, 

13. Levi Woodbury, 

14. Thomas Evving, 
i4«. Walter Forward, 

John C. Spencer, 
George AL Bibb, 

15. Robert J. Walker, 

16. William M. Meredith, 
i6a. Thomas Corwin, 

17. James Guthrie, 

18. Howell Cobb, 
Philip F. Thomas 
John A. Dix, 

19. Salmon P. Chase, 
William P. Fessenden, 

20. Hugh McCulloch, 
20a. Hugh McCulloch, 

21. George S. Boutwell, 

22. William A. Richardson, 
Benjamin H. Bristow, 
Lot M. Morrill, 

23. John Sherman, 

24. William Windom, 
24^. Charles J. Folger, 

Walter Q. Greshara 
Hugh ]\IcCulloch, 

25. Daniel ]\ranning, 
Charles S. Fairchild, 

26. William Windom, 
Charles Foster, 

27. John G. Carlisle, 



1. Henry Knox, 

2. Henry Knox, 
Timothy Pickering, 

LofC. 





Date of Commission. 


Pennsylvania. 








Tennessee, 


February 


9. 


1814 


Pennsylvania, 


October 


6, 


1814 


Georgia, 


October 


22, 


1816 


Georgia. 








Georgia. 








Pennsylvania, 


March 


7, 


1825 


Pennsylvania, 


March 


6, 


1829 


Delaware, 


August 


8, 


1831 


Pennsylvania, 


May 


29, 


1833 


Maryland, 


September 


23, 


1833 


New Hampshire, 


June 


27. 


1834 


New Hampshire. 








Ohio, 


March 


5, 


1841 


Pennsylvania, 


September 


13. 


1841 


New York, 


March 


3. 


1843 


Kentucky, 


June 


15. 


1844 


Mississippi, 


March 


6, 


1845 


Pennsylvania, 


March 


8, 


1849 


Ohio, 


July 


23, 


1850 


Kentucky, 


March 


7, 


1853 


Georgia, 


March 


6, 


1857 


Maryland, 


December 


12, 


i860 


New York, 


January 


II, 


1 861 


Ohio, 


March 


5, 


1 861 


Maine, 


July 


I, 


1864 


Indiana, 


March 


7, 


1865 


Indiana. 








Massachusetts, 


March 


II, 


1869 


Massachusetts, 


March 


17, 


1873 


Kentucky, 


June 


2, 


1874 


Maine, 


June 


21, 


1876 


Ohio, 


March 


8, 


1877 


Minnesota, 


March 


5, 


1 881 


New York, 


October 


27, 


i88r 


Indiana, 


September 


24, 


1884 


Indiana, 


October 


28, 


1884 


New York, 


March 


6, 


1885 


New York, 


April 


I, 


1887 


Minnesota, 


March 


5, 


1889 


Ohio, 


February 


24, 


1891 


Kentucky, 


March 


6, 


1893 


I'es of War. 








Massachusetts, 


September 


12, 


1789 


Massachusetts. 








Pennsylvania, 


January 


2, 


1795 



lOO 



Dictionary of United States History. 











Date of Commission. 




James McHenry, 




Mar\-land, 


January 


27> 


1796 


3- 


James McHenry, 




Maryland. 










Samuel Dexter, 




Massachusetts, 


May 


13. 


1800 




Roger Griswold, 




Connecticut, 


February 


3. 


1 801 


4- 


Henr>' Dearborn, 




Massachusetts, 


March 


5. 


1 801 


5- 


Henry Dearborn, 




Massachusetts. 








6. 


William Eustis, 




Massachusetts, 


March 


7. 


1809 




John Armstrong, 




New York, 


January 


i3> 


1813 


7- 


James Monroe, 




Virginia, 


September 


27, 


1814 




Alexander J. Dallas {acting)^ 


Pennsylvania, 


March 


14, 


1815 




William H. Crawford, 




Georgia, 


August 


I, 


1815 


8. 


George Graham, 




Virginia, 


April 


7, 


1817 




John C. Calhoun, 




South Carolina, 


October 


8, 


1817 


9- 


John C. Calhoun, 




South Carolina. 








JO. 


James Barbour, 




Virginia, 


March 


7, 


182 s 




Peter B. Porter, 




New York, 


May 


26, 


1828 


II. 


John H. Eaton, 




Tennessee, 


March 


9. 


1829 




Lewis Cass, 




Ohio, 


August 


I, 


1831 


12. 


Lewis Cass, 




Ohio. 










Benjamin F. Butler (acting), 


New York, 


March 


3> 


1837 


13- 


Joel R. Poinsett, 




South Carolina, 


March 


7) 


1837 


14. 


John Bell, 




Tennessee, 


March 


5. 


1841 


34^ 


. John IMcLean, 




Ohio, 


September 


13. 


1 84 1 




John C. Spencer, 




New York, 


October 


12, 


1841 




James M. Porter, 




Pennsylvania, 


IMarcli 


8, 


1843 




William Wilkins, 




Pennsylvania, 


February 


15, 


1844 


15- 


William L. Marcy, 




New York, 


March 


6, 


1845 


16. 


Reverdy Johnson {acting), 


Maryland, 


March 


8, 


1849 




George W. Crawford, 




Georgia, 


March 


8, 


1849 


l6<7 


. Winfield Scott {ad interim), 


Virginia, 


July 


23. 


1850 




Charles M. Conrad, 




Louisiana, 


August 


15. 


1850 


17- 


Jefferson Davis, 




Mississippi, 


March 


7> 


1853 


18. 


John B. Floyd, 




Virginia, 


March 


6, 


1857 




Joseph Holt, 




Kentucky, 


January 


18, 


1861 


19- 


Simon Cameron, 




Pennsylvania, 


March 


5- 


1861 




Edwin M. Stanton, 




Pennsylvania, 


Januar>' 


i5> 


1862 


20. 


Edwin M. Stanto-.i, 




Pennsylvania. 








.20fl 


. Edwin I\I. Stanton. 




{Suspended August 12, rSdy.) 








Ulysses S. Grant {ad 


interim). 




August 


12, 


1867 




Edwin ]\I. ^\.:\.\\\.on {reinstated), 


Pennsylvania, 


January 


14, 


1868 




John M. Schofield, 






May 


28, 


1868 


21. 


John A. Rawlins, 




Illinois, 


March 


II, 


l86q 




William T. Sherman 


{ad interim), 


Septembei 


9, 


1869 




William W. Belknap, 




Iowa, 


October 


25. 


1869 


22. 


William W. Belknap, 




Iowa. 










George M. Robeson {acting). 


New Jerse\-, 


March 


2, 


1876 




Alphonso Taft, 




Ohio, 


March 


8, 


1876 




J. Donald Cameron, 




Pennsylvania, 


May 


22, 


1876 



Dictionary of United States History. 



lot 



23- 

24. 
24a. 

25- 

26. 
27. 



3- 

4- 
5- 
6. 

7- 



10. 

II. 

12. 
13- 

14. 
14a, 



15- 

16. 
16a. 

17- 

18. 

19. 

20. 

20a. 

21. 

22. 



George W. McCrar>-, 
Alexander Ramsey, 
Robert T. Lincoln, 
Robert T. Lincoln, 
William C. Endicot 
Redfield Proctor, 
Stephen B. Elkins, 
Daniel S. Lamont, 



Iowa, 
Minnesota, 
Illinois, 
Illinois. 
Massachusetts, 
Vermont, 
West Virginia, 
New York, 

Secretaries of ike Navy. 



George Cabot {declined), 

Benjamin Stoddert, 

Benjamin Stoddert, 

Robert Smith, 

Jacob Crowninshield, 

(Robert Smith, 

Paul Hamilton, 

William Jones, 

Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 

Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 

Smith Thompson, 

Smith Thompson, 

John Rodgers {actifig), 

Samuel L. Southard, 

Samuel L. Southard, 

John Branch, 

Levi Woodbury, 

Mahlon Dickerson, 

Mahlon Dickerson, 

James K. Paulding, 

George E. Badger, 

Abel P. Upshur, 

David Henshaw, 

Thomas W. Gilmer 

John Y. Mason, 

George Bancroft, 

John Y. Mason, 

William B. Preston, 

William A. Graham 

John P. Kennedy, 

James C. Dobbi 

Isaac Toucey, 

Gideon Wells, 

Gideon Wells, 

Gideon Wells, 

Adolph E. Borie, 

George M. Robeson, 

George M. Robeson, 



Massachusetts, 

]Mar)land, 

^laryland. 

Mar>'land, 

Massachusetts, 

Maryland, 

South Carolina, 

Pennsylvania, 

Massachusetts, 

Massachusetts. 

New York, 

New York. 

Maryland, 

New Jersey, 

New Jersey. 

North Carolina, 

New Hampshire, 

New Jersey, 

New Jersey. 

New York, 

North Carolina, 

Virginia, 

Massachusetts, 

Virginia, 

Virginia, 

Massachusetts, 

Virginia, 

Virginia, 

North Carolina, 

Mar\-land, 

North Carolina, 

Connecticut, 

Connecticut, 

Connecticut. 

Connecticut. 

Pennsylvania, 

New Jersey, 

New Jersey. 



Date of Commission. 

March 12, 1877 

December 10 
March 5 

March 6 

March 5 

December 22 

March 6 



3 
21 

15 
3 

7 
12 



May 

May 

July 

May 

May, 

March 

January 

December 1 9 

November 9 

September i 
September 16 

March 9 

May 23 

June 30 

June 25 

March 5 

September 13 
July 24 

February 15 
March 14 

March 10 

September g 
March 
July 
July 
March 
March 
March 



22 
22 

7 
6 



March 5 

June 25 



1879 
1881 

1885 
1889 
1 891 

1893 



1798 
179S 

i8or 
1805 
1805) 
1809 
1813 
1814 

1818 

1823 
1823 

1829 
1831 

1834 

1838 
1 841 
1841 

1843 
1844 
1844 

1845 
1846 
1849 
1850 
1852 

1855 
1857 
i86r 



1869 
1869 



I02 



Dictionary of United States History. 









Date of Commission. 


23- 


Richard W. Thompson, 


Indiana, 


March 


12, 1877 




Nathan Goff, Jr., 


West Virginia, 


January 


6, 1 881 


24. 


William H. Hunt, 


Louisiana, 


March 


5, 1881 


24a 


. William E. Chandler, 


New Hampshire, 


April 


12, 1882 


25- 


William C. Whitney, 


New York, 


March 


6, 1885 


26. 


Benjamin F. Tracy, 


New York, 


March 


5, 1889 


27. 


Hilary A. Herbert, 


Alabama, 


March 


6, 1893 



Postmasters- General. 
(Not in the Cabinet until 1S29.) 



I. 



3- 
4- 

5- 
6. 



8. 

9- 
10. 
II. 
12. 
13- 

14. 
i4«. 

15- 
16. 
1 6a, 

17- 
18. 



19. 

20. 
2,0a. 

21. 
22. 



Samuel Osgood, 
Timothy Pickering, 
Timothy Pickering, 
Joseph Habersham, 
Joseph Habersham, 
Joseph Habersham, 
Gideon Granger, 
Gideon Granger, 
Gideon Granger, 
Gideon Granger, 
Return J. Meigs, 
Return J. Meigs, 
John Mclyean, 
John McLean, 
William T. Barry, 
Amos Kendall, 
Amos Kendall, 
John M. Niles, 
Francis Granger, 
Charles A. Wickliffe, 
Cave Johnson, 
Jacob Collamer, 
Nathan K. Hall, 
Samuel D. Hubbard, 
James Campbell, 
Aaron V. Brown, 
Joseph Holt, 
Horatio King, 
Montgomery Blair, 
William Dennison, 
William Dennison, 
William Dennison, 
Alexander W. Randall, 
John A. J. Creswell, 
John A. J. Creswell, 
J. W. Marshall, 
Marshall Jewell, 



Massachusetts, 


Septembei 


■26, 


1789 


Pennsylvania, 


August 


12, 


1791 


Pennsylvania. 








Georgia, 


February' 


25> 


1795 


Georgia. 








Georgia. 








Connecticut, 


November 28, 


1801 


Connecticut. 








Connecticut. 








Connecticut. 








Ohio, 


March 


17, 


1814 


Ohio. 








Ohio, 


June 


26, 


1823 


Ohio. 








Kentucky, 


March 


9, 


1829 


Kentucky, 


May 


I, 


1835 


Kentucky. 








Connecticut, 


May 


19. 


1840 


New York, 


March 


6, 


1841 


Kentucky, 


September 


13. 


1841 


Tennessee, 


March 


6, 


1845 


Vermpnt, 


March 


8, 


1849 


New York, 


July 


23. 


1850 


Connecticut, 


August 


31. 


1852 


Pennsylvania, 


March 


7> 


1853 


Tennessee, 


March 


6, 


1857 


Kentucky, 


March 


14, 


1859 


Maine, 


February- 


12, 


1861 


District Columbia, 


March 


5. 


1861 


Ohio, 


September 


24, 


1864 


Ohio. 








Ohio. 








Wisconsin, 


July 


25, 


1866 


Maryland, 


March 


5. 


1869 


Mar\-land, 








Virginia, 


July 


3, 


1874 


Connecticut, 


August 


24. 


1874 



Dictionary of United States History. 



103 









Date of Commission. 




James M. Tyner, 


Indiana, 


July 


12, 


1876 


23- 


David M. Key, 


Tennessee, 


March 


12, 


1877 




Horace Maynard, 


Tennessee, 


June 


2, 


1880 


24. 


Thomas L. James, 


New York, 


March 


5> 


1881 


24rt 


. Thomas L. James, 


New York. 










Timothy 0. Howe, 


Wisconsin, 


December 


20, 


1881 




Walter Q. Gresham, 


Indiana, 


April 


3, 


1883 




Frank Hatton, 


Iowa, 


October 


14, 


1884 


25- 


William F. Vilas, 


Wisconsin, 


March 


6, 


1885 




Don jVI. Dickinson, 


Michigan, 


January 


16, 


1888 


26. 


John Wanamaker, 


Pennsylvania, 


March 


5, 


1889 


27. 


Wilson S. Bissell 


New York, 


March 


6, 


1893 




William L. Wilson, 


West Virginia, 
Attorneys- General. 


February 


27, 


1895 


I. 


Edmund Randolph, 


Virginia, 


September 26, 


1789 


2. 


Edmund Randolph, 


Virginia. 










William Bradford, 


Pennsylvania, 


January 


27, 


1794 




Charles Lee, 


Virginia, 


December 


10, 


1795 


3- 


Charles Lee, 


Virginia. 








4- 


Levi Lincoln, 


Massachusetts, 


March 


5, 


i8oi 




Robert Smith, 


Maryland, 


March 


3. 


1805 


5- 


John Breckinridge, 


Kentucky, 


August 


7. 


1805 




Caesar A. Rodney, 


Pennsylvania, 


January 


20, 


1807 


6. 


Caesar A. Rodney, 


Pennsylvania. 










William Pinkney, 


Mar>'land, 


December 


II, 


1811 


7- 


William Pinkney, 


Maryland. 










Richard Rush, 


Pennsylvania, 


February 


10, 


1814 


8. 


William Wirt, 


Virginia, 


November 


13. 


1817 


9- 


William Wirt, 


Virginia. 








ID. 


William Wirt, 


Virginia. 








II. 


John M. Berrien, 


Georgia, 


March 


9. 


1829 




Roger B. Taney, 


Maryland, 


July 


20, 


1831 


12. 


Benjamin F. Butler, 


New York, 


November 


15, 


1833 


13- 


Benjamin F. Butler, 


New York. 










Felix Grundy, 


Tennessee, 


July 


5, 


1838 




Henr}- D. Gilpin, 


Pennsylvania, 


Januar) 


II, 


1840 


14. 


John J. Crittenden, 


Kentucky, 


March 


5, 


1841 


14^ 


. Hugh S. Legate, 


South Carolina, 


September 


13, 


1841 




John Nelson, 


Mar>'land, 


July 


I, 


1843 


15- 


John Y. Mason, 


Virginia, 


March 


6, 


1845 




Nathan Clifford, 


Maine, 


October 


17, 


1846 




Isaac Toucey, 


Connecticut. 


June 


21, 


1848 


16. 


Reverdy Johnson, 


Maryland, 


March 


8, 


1849 


i6rt' 


. John J. Crittenden, 


Kentucky, 


July 


22, 


1850 


17- 


Caleb Cushing, 


Massachusetts, 


March 


7, 


1853 


18. 


Jeremiah S. Black, 


Pennsylvania, 


March 


6, 


1857 




Edwin M. Stanton, 


Pennsylvania, 


December 


20, 


i860 



I04 



Dictionary of United States History. 



19, 



Edward Bates, 
James Speed, 

20. James Speed, 

20a. James Speed, 

Henry Stanberry, 
William M. Evarts, 
E. Rockwood Hoar, 
Amos T. Akerman, 
George H. Williams, 
George H. Williams, 
Edwards Pierrepont, 
Alphonso Taft, 
Charles Devens, 
Wayne MacVeagh, 
Benjamin H. Brewster, 
Augustus H. Garland, 
William H. H. IMiller, 
Richard Olncy 
Judson Harmon, 



21. 



22. 



23- 
24. 
24a 

25- 

26. 
27. 



Missouri, 

Kentucky, 

Kentucky. 

Kentucky. 

Ohio, 

New York, 

Massachusetts, 

Georgia, 

Oregon, 

Oregon. 

New York, 

Ohio, 

Massachusetts, 

Pennsylvania, 

Pennsylvania, 

Arkansas, 

Indiana, 

Massachusetts, 

Ohio, 



Secretaries 0/ Ike Interior. 



16. 

ida 



Thomas Ewing, 



Ohio, 

Alexander H. H. Stuart, Virginia, 

Robert McClelland, Michigan, 

Jacob Thompson, Mississippi, 

Caleb B. Smith, Indiana, 

John P. Usher, Indiana, 

John P. Usher, Indiana. 

20i2. John P. Usher, Indiana. 

James Harlan, Iowa, 

O. H. Browning, Illinois, 

Jacob D. Cox, Ohio, 

Columbus Delano, . Ohio, 

Columbus Delano, Ohio. 

Zachariah Chandler, Michigan, 

Carl Schurz, Missouri, 

Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa, 

Henr>' M. Teller, Colorado, 

Lucius Q. C. Lamar, Mississippi, 

William F. Vilas, Wisconsin, 

John W. Noble, Missouri, 

Hoke Smith, Georgia, 

David R. Francis, Missouri, 



17' 
18. 
19, 



20. 



21. 
22. 

23- 
24. 
24«, 
25- 

26. 
27. 



25. Norman J. Colman, 

26. Jeremiah M. Rusk, 

27. J. Sterling Morton, 



Secretaries of Agriculture. 

Missouri. 

Wisconsin, 

Nebraska, 



Date of Commission. 

March 5, 1861 

December 2, 1864 



July 23, 1866 

July 15, 1868 

Marcb 5, 1869 

June 23, 1870 

December 14, 1871 



April 
May 
March 
March 
December 
March 
March 
March 
June 



26, 1875 
22, 1876 
12, 1877 

5, 1881 
19, 1881 

6, 1885 

5, 1889 

6, 1893 
II, 1895 



March 8, 1849 

September 12, 1850 
March 7, 1853 

March 6, 1857 

March 5, 1861 

January 8, 1863 



May 


15, 


1865 


July 


27. 


1866 


March 


5> 


1869 


November 


I, 


1870 


October 


19. 


1875 


March 


12, 


1S77 


March 


5, 


i88r 


April 


6, 


1882 


March 


6, 


1885 


January 


16, 


1888 


March 


5, 


1889 


March 


6, 


1893 


August 


22, 


1896 



March 
March 



5, 1889 

6, 1893 



Dictionary of United States History. 



105 



Cable, George W., author, born in New Orleans in 1S44. ^'^ ^^^s writings 
(mostly novels) he has vividly depicted the life and accurately rendered the 
dialect of the Creoles and negroes of southern Louisiana, thus opening a new 
field in literature. 

Cabot, George (1751-1823), statesman, entered Harvard, but left to go to 
sea, and became master mariner before he was of age. At twenty-five he was 
chosen to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. In 1788 he was a member 
of the State convention that adopted the Federal Constitution. He was 
U. S. Senator from Massachusetts, 1791-96, and was President Adams' first 
choice for Secretary of the Navy when that department was organized in 
1798. He was a leading Federalist, an able coadjutor of Hamilton, and a 
high authority in political economy. He was chosen president of the cele- 
brated Hartford Convention in 1814. Life by Lodge. 

Cabot, John, the founder of the English claim to North America, was 
born at Genoa, settled in Venice as a merchant and mariner, and removed to 
Bristol in England about 1490. In May, 1497, he sailed from Bristol on a 
voyage of discovery, under the authority of letters patent from the king, 
Henry VII. He discovered a region which was supposed to be the coast of 
China, returned to England with the news, and received from the frugal king 
the sum of ten pounds. The next year he sailed again and explored the 
coast of North America. The exact extent of his voyages is uncertain, but 
he probably visited Labrador, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the coast of 
New England, southward perhaps to Cape Cod. After the second voyage he 
disappears from history. The best account of the Cabots is by Harrisse. 

Cabot, Sebastian, the son of John, was born in Bristol or Venice about 
1474, and died in London about 1557. He probably accompanied his father 
on the latter's first voyage to America, and may have succeeded him as com- 
mander in the second expedition. He was subsequently in the service of 
Spain, and returned late in life to England. The voyages of the two Cabots 
in 1497 and 1498 laid the foundation of England's claim to North America. 

Cadillac, Antoine de la Mothe, born 1660 of noble French family. In 1694 
Frontenac appointed him commander of Michilimackinac. July 24, 1701, 
with fifty settlers and fifty soldiers he founded Detroit. In 1707 he reduced 
the Miamis to subjection. In 17 11 he was made Governor of Louisiana. In 
1714 he established a post in the Natchez country. In 1717 he returned to 
France. He died after 1717. 

Cadwalader, John (i 742-1 786), was a member of the Philadelphia Com- 
mittee of Safety. He was a brigadier-general at Trenton and a volunteer at 
Brandywine and Germantown. He wounded General Conway, the noted 
conspirator against Washington, in a duel. 

Cahokia, 111., was settled by the French in 1683, and received its name 
from an Indian tribe. 

Calef, or Calfe, Robert, author, died about 1723. In 1700 he attacked 
the witchcraft delusion in a book called " More Wonders of the Invisible 
World," whose common-sense arguments greatly affected public opinion. 



io6 Dictionary of United States History. 

Calhoun, John Caldwell (March i8, i782-]\Iarch3i, 1850), Vice-President 
of the United States, was born near Abbeville in South Carolina. He 
graduated at Yale, studied law, and developed qualities of statesmanship at 
an early period. In 181 1 he entered the House of Representatives as 
member from South Carolina, and became prominent at once as a leader of 
the younger element of the Democratic party; he advocated the war against 
Great Britain, and was foremost in the controversy over the United States 
Bank. He left the House for the War Department in 1817, and served 
throughout INIonroe's administration. In 1824 he was elected Vice-President, 
and served from 1825 with Adams. Again elected in 1828, he continued in 
office, this time with Jackson, and between these two great Democratic 
leaders a bitter feeling of opposition soon arose. In the Nullification trouble 
which was now developing, Calhoun's abilities and views made him the 
leader on the side of his native State. He resigned his office in 1832, and 
immediately entered the U. S. Senate, where he was the champion of the 
" States Rights" men. His career in the Senate was interrupted for a short 
period, when in 1844-45 ^^ ^vas Secretary of State in Tyler's administration. 
During this time he concluded a treaty of annexation with Texas. Retiring 
from the Cabinet in 1845 ^^ re-entered the Senate, resuming the leadership 
•of the Southern Democrats. It was during this last tenn that his severe 
controversy with Benton occurred. Calhoun died at Washington while the 
compromise measures of 1850 were pending. In gifts of logic he is com- 
monly said to have surpassed Clay and Webster, the two Senators with 
whose names his own is inseparably connected. His works were edited by 
Cralle, and there is a scholarly biography by Professor von Hoist in the 
American Siatestucn Series. 

California was formed from the Mexican cession of 1848. The name 
originated from a Spanish romance of 1521. The coast of California was 
explored by the Spaniards Cabrillo (1542) and Ferrelo (1543), and by the 
Englishman Drake (1579), who named the country New Albion. Two 
hundred years later (1769) Franciscan monks founded a mission at San 
Diego and discovered the Bay of San Francisco. The missions in 1823 
numbered twenty-one and were very wealthy. The priests opposed the 
government of the towns which was established by the Mexican Govern- 
ment and the Mexican Revolution of 1822, and in 1834 the mission lands 
were divided. In 1826 the first American emigrant wagon-train reached 
California. Before the Mexican War the United States Government feared 
that England intended to seize California, and accordingly encouraged the 
inhabitants to revolt from Mexico. June 14, 1846, the American settlers, 
upon the advice of Fremont, proclaimed a republic, and Sloat, in command 
of an American fleet, occupied Monterey July 7. By the treaty of Guadalupe 
Hidalgo, signed February' 2, 1848, California was ceded by Mexico to the 
United States. On the nineteenth of the preceding month gold had been 
discovered near Coloma. By the close of 1849 the population was about 
100,000. A State Constitution was ratified November 13, 1849, which pro- 
hibited slavery. The admission of California as a free State formed part of 
Clay's famous " Omnibus Bill " of 1850 (September 9). For ten years the 
State was steadily Democratic until the division in that party in i860 gave 



Dictionary of United States History. 107 

the electoral vote to the Republicans, who controlled the State in national 
politics until 1876. From 185 1 to 1856 San Francisco was governed by a 
" Vigilance Coinniittee " who put down the lawlessness in the city. In 1880 
the Democratic presidential electors were elected with one exception. In 
1892 the electors were again Democratic. In State politics the State has 
always been very doubtful. Opposition to Chinese immigration, monopoly 
in land, and the influence of corporations in politics have complicated the 
political history of the State. The population in 1850 was 92,597 ; in 1890, 
1,208,130. History by Bancroft. 

California, University of, Berkeley, Cal., was established in 1868 as the 
State University; formerly known as the College of California, it was char- 
tered in 1855. 

Call, Richard K. (1791-1862), soldier, was appointed first lieutenant in 
1814, brigadier-general of West Florida Militia, 1823, was delegate to Con- 
gress 1823-1825, Governor of Florida, 1835-1840 and 1841-1844. 

Callava, the Spanish ex-Governor of Florida, whom Andrew Jackson 
arrested in September, 1821, because he refused to deliver certain papers, 
Florida having been ceded to the United States in 1819. The papers were 
seized forcibly and Callava was then released. He claimed the privileges of 
a Spanish Commissioner, but could get no hearing from Jackson. 

Calvert, Cecilius (or Cecil), second Lord Baltimore (1605-1675). In 
1632 the charter intended for his father was issued to him. It granted to 
him many feudal rights, but with popular government. 

Calvert, Sir George, first Lord Baltimore (1582-1632), was knighted by 
James I. in 1617, became a Roman Catholic in 1624; ^^^^ much interested 
in the colonization of the New World; and in 1632 obtained from Charles I. 
a patent for what are now Delaware and Maryland. He died before it had 
passed the Great Seal, and it was issued to his son Cecil, q. v. 

Calvert, Leonard (1606 ?-i647). Governor of Maryland, was sent by his 
■brother Cecil, Lord IBaltimore, to found the Maryland Colony, which he 
did at St. Mary's, May 27, 1634. His authority was disputed by William 
Claiborne, who at once began hostilities against him, and it was not till 1647 
that his possession was fully established. 

Cambridge, Mass., was settled by colonists under Governor Winthrop in 
1630, and first called Newtown. The American army occupied Cambridge 
•during the period while the British held Boston. The city was incorporated 
in 1846. Harvard College was founded here in 1636. 

Cambridge Platform, a system of church government drawn up by a 
synod at Cambridge, in the colony of Massachusetts Bay, in 1648. The 
Congregational churches differed somewhat at that time, some inclining to 
Presbyterianism, some to Independency. The synod reafBrmed the West- 
minster Confession, but recommended a form of church discipline which 
prevails now in the Congregational churches. 

Camden, Charles Pratt, Earl of (1713-1794), constantly opposed the 
American policy of the Rockingham ministry. His sympathy with the 



io8 Dictionary of United States iiisTORY. 

colonies continued during his term as Lord Chancellor from 1766 to 1770. 
He opposed the oppressive colonial policy pursued by Lord North, and, on 
account of his liberal policy during the Revolution, he was very popular in 
America. 

Camden, Battle of, August 16, 1780. On his appointment to command 
in the South, Gates determined to seize Camden, S. C. He made an unu'ise 
choice of roads so that his army was exhausted when it came to face the 
enemy. When within ten miles of Camden he delayed two days. Mean- 
while Cornwallis had come up from Charleston to assist Rawdon. Gates also 
made the fatal mistake of sending out 400 of his best troops on a foray. 
With 3052 troops, only 1400 of whom were regulars, he faced 2000 Britisli 
veterans. Both parties attempted a night march, but as the surprise failed 
they waited for daylight. The American left of raw militia was routed. 
The right composed of Marviand regulars held its ground bravely until it 
was attacked upon its exposed flank and forced to retire. This it did in good 
order. Of the Americans 1000 were killed or wounded, and 1000 captured. 
The loss of the British was 324. It was a clear piece of bad generalship on 
the part of Gates, who fled precipitately to tlie North. 

Cameron, James Donald, son of Simon, born 1833; as president of the 
Northern Central Railway Company of Pennsylvania, did good service during 
the Civil War. He has been U. S. Senator from 1877 to the present time 
(1897). 

Cameron, Simon (i 799-1 889), politician, worked at the printer's trade in 
his boyhood and youth. In 1822 he edited a newspaper in Harrisburg. He 
soon became interested and acquired wealth in banking and railroad con- 
struction — was for a time Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania. He was U. S. 
Senator from Pennsylvania 1 845-1 849, acting with the Democrats. Upon 
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise in 1854 he broke with that party and 
joined the Republican party upon its organization, by which he was elected 
to the U. S. Senate in 1857. He was appointed by President Lincoln his 
first Secretary of War, resigned in 1862 and was appointed Minister to 
Russia. He was again U. S. Senator 1867-1877. 

" Camillus," a literary pseudonym of Alexander Hamilton. In 1795 
there were published at New York a series of papers called a " Defense of 
the Treaty," Jay's treaty of the previous year with Great Britain. These 
papers were nearly all signed "Camillus," but were written by Hamilton. 

Campbell, Alexander (1788-1866), theologian, a native of Ireland, came 
to the United States in 1809. He was the founder of the sect called Dis- 
ciples of Christ or Campbellites, and of Bethany College in West Virginia. 

Campbell, Sir Archibald (1739-1791), British soldier, came to Boston as 
lieutentant-colonel in 1775, led an expedition in 1778 against Savannah, 
which he took; and took Augusta, Ga., in January, 1779. He was afterward 
Governor of Jamaica. 

Campbell, Donald (1735-1763), British soldier, while stationed at Detroit 
met Pontiac (then besieging it) in conference. He was not permitted to 
return, and was put to death with torture. 



Dictionary of United States History. ioq 

Campbell, George W^. (i 768-1 84S), of Tennessee, statesman, was giadn- 
ated at Princeton in 1794, was Representative in Congress 1803- 1809, and 
was chairman of Ways and Means in his last term. He was U. S. Senator 
from 181 1 to 1814, when he became Secretary of the Treasnry; was again 
elected to the Senate in 1815. In 1818 he was appointed Minister to Russia. 
He returned in 1820. 

Campbell, James (1813-1893), was Attorney-General for Pennsylvania in 
1852. He was Postmaster-General in Pierce's Cabinet from 1853 to 1857. 

Campbell, John A. (1811-1889), jurist, was graduated at the University of 
Georgia in 1826, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1829. -^^ 'was 
several times a member of the Assembly of Alabama. He was appointed a 
Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court in 1853, resigned in 1861. He was 
opposed to secession although he believed in the right. He was Assistant 
Secretary of War of the Confederate States and was one of the peace com- 
missioners who met President Lincoln at Fort Monroe in February, 1865. 

Campbell, William (1745-1781), soldier, of Virginia, led a corps of rifle- 
men at King's Mountain, Guilford Court House and Eutaw Springs. In 
1778 he was a commissioner to run the boundary-line between Virginia and 
the Cherokee country. 

Campbell's Station, Tenn. Here, November 16, 1863, occurred a sangui- 
nary conflict between Longstreet leading about 35,000 Confederates, and 
Burnside at the head of a slightly smaller number of Union soldiers. Bragg, 
under orders from Richmond, had ordered Longstreet to proceed against 
Burnside. This Longstreet found some difficulty in doing, for his troops 
were in a deplorable condition for want of clothing and provisions. Never- 
theless he started in pursuit of the Federal leader, who slowly retreated 
toward Knoxville. At Campbell's Station Longstreet came up with him and 
Burnside turned upon them, firing at long range as the Confederates advanced 
over the undulating ground. Unheeding the bullets the Confederates pressed 
forward until at close range. Then they opened fire, raking the Federal 
lines. Burnside was forced after a brief fight to retire to Knoxville, where 
Longstreet followed him and beleaguered the town. 

Campbellites. (See Disciples. ) 

Camp Alleghany, Va. In this battle, December 13, 1861, tlie Federals 
numbering 3000 troops and commanded by Milroy were defeated, but retired 
in good order, before 2000 Confederates led by Edward Johnston. The latter 
had been left by Jackson in charge of a strong position on a high bluff". 
Milroy dispatched Moody to attack his flank, while Jones assaulted liis front. 
Both attempts were unsuccessful, so Milroy retired. The losses were about 
equal on both sides. 

Camp Cole, Mo. Here, June 18, 186 1, a half-organized Unionist regiment 
under Captain Cook was surprised, while asleep in a barn, by a Confederate 
force under Colonel O'Kane, and completely routed. 

Camp Defiance, Ala. Here General Floyd, in the Creek War, was attacked 
January 27, 1814, by the Indians. The attack was repulsed, but at so heavy 






no Dictionary of United States History. 

a loss that Floyd had to fall back. The American loss was twenty-two killed 
and 147 wounded. 

Canada. For the history of the relations of the English colonies with 
Canada before the Revolution, see New France and Quebec Act. The Conti- 
nental Congress attempted, but without avail, to induce Canada to take part 
in the Revolution. In 1775 Montgomery and Arnold conducted an expedition 
into Canada, which ultimately failed. From Canada Burgoyne invaded New 
York in 1777. The land operations of the War of 1812 were mainly 
efforts for the conquest of Canada. Since then our relations with Canada 
have been mostly in the way of trade, though the sympathy of Americans 
with Canadian insurgents in 1837, the Caroline affair, the Aroostook disturb- 
ances and the Fenian invasion of 1866 have at times interrupted friendliness. 
The treaty of 1S71 provided for the free transit of certain goods into Canada 
through the United States and into the United States through Canada. 
There has been of late years a strong movement for the annexation of Canada 
to the United States. 

Canada Company, a company formed by Sir William Alexander in 1621. 
On September 21, James I. granted to this company an enormous territory 
in America, covering a large part of the United States and the whole of 
Canada. Alexander, with whom was associated David Kirke, endeavored to 
sell his lands as baronetcies. This scheme failed and the company was 
dissolved. 

Canals. The oldest completed canals in the United States are the South 
Hadley and Montague Canals of Massachusetts, both undertaken by a 
company chartered in 1792. They are two and three miles long respectively, 
passing through the rapids at South Hadley and the ]\Iontague Falls on the 
Connecticut River. The Middlesex Canal, connecting Boston harbor with 
the Merrimac, was completed in 1808. The Erie Canal, largest and most 
important in this country, connecting the Hudson River at Albany and Troy 
with Lake Erie at Buffalo, was projected by DeWitt Clinton, and begim in 
181 7. It was completed in 1825. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, the 
outcome of a project for improving navigation on the Potomac River by 
General Washington, was begun by the Board of Public Works of Virginia 
in 1820 and completed in 1850. It extends from Georgetown to Cumber- 
land, 184 miles. The Delaware and Hudson Canal, constructed by a 
company for the transportation of coal, was completed in 1829. It extends 
from Rondout to Port Jervis, 108 miles. The Schuylkill Coal and Naviga- 
tion Canal, extending from Mill Creek to Philadelphia, 108 miles, was begun 
in 1816 and completed in 1825. The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Canal, 
from Easton to Coalport, was begun in 1821 and completed in 1829. The 
chief period of canal construction was from about 1820 to about 1840, when 
railroads began to supplant them. In 1880 there were about 2500 miles of 
canals in operation, while about 2000 miles had been abandoned. For inter- 
oceanic canals, see arts. Panama Canal and Nicaragua Canal. 

Canby, Edward R. S. (1819-1873), of Kentucky, soldier, served in the 
Florida War 1839-1842, and received a brevet of lieutenant-colonel for 
services in Mexican War. In 1858 he served in the so-called Mormon War. 



Dictionary of United States History. hi 

In 1863 he commanded the United States troops in the New York draft riots; 
assisted by Farragut's fleet he captured Mobile in 1865. In 1873 he was 
treacherously murdered by Modocs while negotiating a treaty of peace. 

Cane Ridge Revival, a religious revival in 1799 and 1800, the first 
famous one in the United States after the " Great Awakening," along the 
western frontier, particularly in Kentucky. It was begun by the inspired 
preaching of two brothers from Ohio, who addressed a camp meeting on the 
Red River, and made numerous enthusiastic converts. At the Cane Ridge 
camp meeting of 1800, the religious enthusiasm was intense. Converts were 
made by hundreds. 

Cane River, La., a battle in the course of Banks' expedition through 
the Southwest, occurring April 23, 1864. The Confederate General Bee was 
stationed along Cane River with 8000 troops, when Emory, Birge and Fes- 
senden of Banks' army suddenly flanked his position and fell heavily upon 
his right. The movement was a complete success. The Confederates 
abandoned their position and retreated in disorder. 

Canning, George (i 770-1827), was British Secretary for Foreign Affairs 
from 1807 to 1809, during the controversies with America concerning the 
Chesapeake affair and the difficulties which led to the War of 1812. He 
approved the British orders in council in 1807, which destroyed American 
neutral commerce. He supported the War of 1812. While Secretary of 
Foreign Affairs from 1822 to 1827, he assented to the policy expressed in the 
Monroe doctrine. 

Canning, Stratford, Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe (1786-1880), suc- 
ceeded Mr. Bago as British Minister to the United States in 1820. He 
returned to England in 1823 and arranged a treaty which was signed by the 
British and American Commissioners, but was rejected by the U. S. Senate. 
In 1830 he framed the British claims in the American boundary question 
which was submitted to the arbitration of the King of the Netherlands. 
He was afterward famous as Ambassador to Turkey at the time of the 
Crimean War. 

Cannon, Joseph G., born in North Carolina in 1836, was State's attorney 
in Illinois from 1861 to 1868. He has been a Republican member of Con- 
gress from Illinois from 1873 to the present time (1897), and is one of the 
most prominent members. 

Canonicus (1565 ?-i647), ^^i Indian chief, king of the Narragansetts. 
He cordially received Roger Williams to his country and was ever friendly 
to the whites, but often at war with the Pequots. 

Cape Ann, Settlement at. In 1625 the Dorchester Company attempted to 
plant a colony near the site of the present town of Gloucester. Roger 
Conant, of Plymouth, and a number of other persons were invited to settle 
there. But the attempt failed in a short time, and this resulted in the dis- 
solving of the Dorchester Company. The Naumkeag settlement resulted. 

Cape Girardeau, Mo., a National storehouse during the Civil war. It 
was assailed by the Confederate Marmaduke, April 26, 1863, who although 



112 Dictionary of United States History. 

he commanded 8000 men was obliged to retreat before McNeil's garrison of 
2000. 

Capital, The. From the beginning of the Revolution until the adoption 
of the Constitution the Congress of the United States had no fixed place of 
holding its sessions, but met on various occasions at Philadelphia, Baltimore, 
Lancaster, York, Princeton, Annapolis, Trenton and New York. In 1783 
after a long debate Congress selected a site near the falls of the Delaware, 
and in 1784 resolved to meet at New York until the new town was com- 
pleted. The plans for the capital were not carried out and nothing further 
was done until after the adoption of the Constitution. During the session 
of the first Congress the matter was again called up, and after a lengthy 
discussion in which sectional jealousy ran high an act was passed June 28, 
1790, selecting a site upon the Potomac. Maryland and \'irginia ceded land 
for this purpose. By this act Congress met at Philadelphia until November, 
1800, when the Government removed to its permanent capital (Washington). 

Capitol. The corner-stone of the Capitol building at Washington was 
laid by President Washington, September 18, 1793. The north wing was 
completed November 17, 1800. The south wing was completed in 1808, and 
the interior of both was burned by the British, August 24, 1814. Recon- 
struction was begun in 1S15. The foundation of the main building was 
laid March 24, 1818, and the whole was completed in 1827. The act of 
September 30, 1850, provided for an extension. President Fillmore laid the 
corner-stone of the extension July 4, 1851, and Daniel Webster delivered the 
address. It was finished in 1867. 

Cardinal. The first American cardinal was John McCloskey, archbishop 
of New York, who was made a cardinal in 1875. Upon his death in 1885 
Archbishop Gibbons, of Baltimore, was made a cardinal (1886). 

Carey, Henry C. (i 793-1 879), political economist, son of Mathew. In 

182 1 he established the firm of Carey & Lea, which became the leading 
publishing house in the countr>'. He withdrew in 1835 and devoted him- 
self to political economy, on which subject the most important of his writings 
have been translated into other languages. He viewed free trade as the ideal, 
and protection as the means of attaining it. 

Carey, Mathew (1760-1839), publisher, came to Philadelphia from Ire- 
land in 1784. In 1796 was a founder of the first Sunday-school Society. In 

1822 he published " Essays on Political Economy," followed by numerous 
tracts in the interest of protection. His " Olive Branch " was an important 
and influential pamphlet. 

Carleton, Sir Guy (1724-1808), British soldier, distinguished himself at 
the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec. He was Governor of the latter from 
1766 to 1770 and from 1775 to 1778, and defended it against the Americans 
under Montgomery in 1775. He commanded the army that invaded New 
York in 1776, and fought a severe battle with Arnold on Lake Champlain. 
In 1782 he superseded Sir Henry Clinton as commander-in-chief From 
1786 to 1796, as Lord Dorchester, he was Governor of Canada. He became 
a lieutenant-general in 1777. 



Dictionary of United States History. 113 

Carlisle, Frederick Howard, fifth earl of (1748-1825), British statesman. 
In the House of Lords he advocated reconciliation with America, and was 
one of the commissioners sent over in 1778 to endeavor to effect it. 

Carlisle, John Griffin, born in 1835 in Kentucky, served in the Legislature 
of the State, and was its Lieutenant-Governor in 1871-75. He entered 
the National House of Representatives in 1877 as Democratic member from 
Kentucky, and became widely known as leader of the tariff-reforming wing 
of the party. He was Speaker of the House for three terms, 1883-89, and 
achieved a high reputation as an able parliamentarian and impartial presid- 
ing officer. In 1890 he was elected to the U. S. Senate, whence, in 1893, he 
was called to enter President Cleveland's Cabinet as Secretary of the 
Treasury. 

Carnegie, Andrew, born in Scotland in 1835, came to the United States 
in 1845. He is the largest proprietor of iron and steel making works in the 
world. He has given liberally to educational appliances and institutions. 

Carnifex Ferry, W. Va. Here, August 10, 1861, General Floyd, formerly 
Buchanan's Secretary of War, was attacked and compelled to retreat by 
General Rosecrans of McClellan's army. Floyd had superseded Wise in the 
command of the Confederate forces. The latter failing to obey orders and 
come to his relief, he was obliged to retire to Big Sewell Mountain. The 
nmnbers engaged on either side were small. 

" Caroline." In 1836-37 there was a strong republican spirit rife in 
parts of lower Canada, which culminated, in December, 1837, in an insur- 
rection in Toronto. The leaders fled to the United States, and one, Mac- 
kenzie, with twenty-five men, among them some citizens of Buffalo, whom 
he had persuaded to join him, seized, December 12, 1837, the Canadian 
Navy Island in the Niagara River, set up a provisional government, and 
issued paper money. December 26, a party of Canadians crossed the 
Niagara and seized, at Schlosser, on the American side, the " Caroline," a 
steamer in the service of the rebels. Several men were killed, and the 
vessel was burned. This invasion of the American lines caused great indig- 
nation. President Van Buren issued a proclamation declaring that the neu- 
trality laws should be observed. The New York militia was called out and 
placed under the command of General Scott. The rebels finally abandoned 
Navy Island January 13, 1838. 

Carpenter, Matthew Hale (1824-1 881), Senator, settled in Wisconsin in 
1848, and soon acquired an extensive law practice. He successfully argued 
the reconstruction act of 1867 before the U. S. Supreme Court. He was 
U. S. Senator from 1869 to 1875 and from 1879 till his death. 

Carpenters' Hall, Phila., was the hall of the company or organization of 
the carpenters of the city, analogous to the guild halls of London. When the 
first Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in September, 1774, the State 
House was offered them, but the offer of the carpenters was accepted by the 
members, to show their respect for the mechanics. The second Continental 
Congress also began its sessions there. 
8 



114 Dictionary of United States History. 

Carpet Baggers, a name given first to Northern politicians who sought 
temporary homes in the Southern States to obtain qualifications for admission 
to Congress from these States. After 1865 the name was given to Northern 
Republicans who settled in the South and later to all whites who endeavored 
to control the colored vote. 

Carpet-bag Governments. During the period between 1865 and 1870 the 
government of a majority of the Southern States was controlled by unscru- 
pulous adventurers, who excluded the better class of whites from voting and 
controlled elections by negro majorities. Fraudulent taxes were levied and 
enormous State debts were rolled up. These governments were known as 
" Carpet-bag Governments." 

Carr, Sir Robert, died in England in 1667. He was one of the commis- 
sioners sent over by Charles II. in 1664. New Amsterdam and the settle- 
ments on the Delaware capitulated to their fleet, but Massachusetts refused 
to recognize their commission. 

Carrick's Ford, W. Va., a running fight between the rear ranks of Garnet's 
retreating Confederate forces and McClellan's vanguard under Steedman. 
Garnet was slain and a number of captures were made, July 13, 1861. 

Carroll, Charles, of CarroUton (1737-1832), last surviving signer of the 
Declaration of Independence, was educated by Jesuits in France. He returned 
to Maryland in 1765. In 1775 he was one of the council of safety. July 
4, 1776, he was appointed deputy to Congress, and on August 2, signed the 
Declaration. 

Carroll, John (1735-1817), cousin of Charles Carroll of CarroUton, was 
educated as a priest at St. Omer's. In 1774 he returned to Mar^'land and 
enthusiastically espoused the patriot cause. At the suggestion of Dr. Frank- 
lin he was appointed superior of the clergy of the United States in 1784. 
He became bishop in 1790. By unanimous request of Congress he pro- 
nounced a panegyric on Washington, February' 22, 1800. He was consecrated 
archbishop in 1808, and was the first Catholic bishop and archbishop in the 
United States. 

Carson City, capital of Nevada, was founded as a ranch in 1848, but its 
real history dates from the discovery of gold in Nevada in 1849. 

Carson, Christopher (Kit) (1809-1868), explorer, was for eight years a 
trapper on the plains. He afterward accompanied Fremont on two of his 
expeditions, to the success of which he greatly contributed. 

Carter, Robert (1819-1879), editor and author, was one of the founders 
of the Free-Soil and Republican parties, to whose success he largely contrib- 
uted by his brilliant writings in the periodicals of his time. 

Carter Brown Library, the most famous and valuable of private collec- 
tions of Americana, made by the late John Carter Brown, of Providence, R. I. 

Carthage, Mo., a brief but severe engagement, July 5, 1861, between 
12,000 Union troops tinder General Franz Sigel and 5000 Confederates, 
chiefly volunteers from Missouri, Texas and Arkansas, led by Generals Price, 










'I .'1 










SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 



Dictionary of United States History. 115 

McCulloch and Pillow. General Sigel was compelled to retreat, although 
victorious. 

Carthagena, in Spanish America, attacked in 1741 by a powerful fleet and 
a strong body of soldiers, both English and colonial, under Admiral Vernon. 
When England was preparing to send a force against the Spanish West 
Indies, the colonies north of Carolina were summoned to contribute four 
battalions to the armament. The requisition was generously complied with. 
But the expedition against Carthagena was anything but successful, though 
it was composed of twenty-nine ships and 12,000 land troops. The sailors 
and soldiers quickly fell ill with the fever. Only the outer fortifications 
were demolished; then the English were obliged to retire. 

Carver, John (i590?-i62i), first Governor of Plymouth colony. He was 
probably elected Governor on board the " Mayflower " in Provincetown har- 
bor in November, 1620; was re-elected March, 1621, but died the next month. 

Carver, Jonathan (i 732-1 780), traveler, in 1766 explored the country 
between Michilimackinac and the Falls of St. Anthony, and in 1767 the 
borders of Lake Superior. He died in England in great destitution. 

Gary Rebellion. In 1705, Thomas Cary, then Deputy Governor of North 
Carolina, was deposed at the solicitation of the Quakers for disfranchising 
them through the requirements of the Test Act. He endeavored to usurp 
the government during several years. Finally, in 171 1 he endeavored to 
capture Governor Hyde by force. Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, sent a 
troop to Hyde's assistance. Cary was forced into submission. 

Cary, Samuel F., bom in 1814, Congressman, of Ohio, served in Congress 
one term, 1867— 1869, and was the only Republican member of the House 
who voted against the impeachment of President Johnson. 

Cass, Lewis (1782-1866), was born at Exeter, N. H. His early life was 
passed as a lawyer and politician in Ohio, broken by service in the War of 
181 2, during which he became brigadier-general, and fought at the battle 
of the Thames. In the years 1813-31 he was Governor of Michigan Terri- 
tory, during this period his management of Indian relations was highly 
regarded, and an expedition in 1820 into the heart of the Indian country 
yielded important results. General Cass published in 1823 "Inquiries Con- 
cerning the Indians." His reputation was increased as Secretary of War 
1831-36, U. S. Minister to France 1836-42, U. S. Senator from Michigan 
1845-48 and 1849-57, and Secretary of State 1857-60. He was an unsuc- 
cessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency in 1844 
and 1852. In 1848 he gained the nomination, but was defeated in a close 
contest by General Taylor. 

Cassidy, William (1815-1873), journalist and politician, of New York, — 
was editor of the Albany Atlas and afterward of the Albany Argus^ 
and one of the principal members of the " Albany Regency." 

Castine, Me., was settled by the French imder Baron de Castine in 1667- 
It was subsequently abandoned on account of wars with the Indians and 
English colonists. In 1760 it was settled by the English. 






ai6 Dictionary of United States History. 

Castro, Manuel (1801-1891), of California, as Mexican prefect of Mon- 
terey opposed by military force the entrance of the Americans under 
Premont into California. 

Catholic Church in America. Most of the early explorers of this country 
■were fervent Catholics, and very soon Catholic colonial empires had been 
formed in Mexico and Central and South America. In 1528 the first 
Catholic missionaries landed in the United States, at Florida, and in 1565 
the first settlement was made at St. Augustine. From this were sent out 
missionaries to the neighboring tribes and colonies, till Florida was ceded to 
the English in 1763, which proved a fatal check to missionarj' efforts. 
Other missions were established along the great lakes, the Mississippi, in the 
Far West and in the English colonies, with more or less success, but the real 
history of the Church in the United States begins with the Catholic colony 
©f Lord Baltimore in Mar}iand. The Church, however, prospered little, and 
at the outbreak of the Revolution there were only about twenty-five thousand 
members, of whom two-thirds were in Marj'land. After the war, immigra- 
tion from Catholic countries and natural development had increased the 
number in the States to 150,000 by the year 1807. From that time on, its 
growth has been very rapid. The work of the religious orders, including 
the Jesuits, the development of educational facilities, and the large influx 
of Catholics from immigration have all so built up the Church that it now 
practically claims about one-sixth of the entire population of the United 
States, and a large majority of the population of the countries to the south. 
The first Catholic bishop was consecrated in 1790. 

Catlin, George (1796-1872), painter and traveler. He spent eight years 
in travel among the Indians, of whom he painted 470 full-length portraits. 
He also traveled in South America. 

Catron, John (1778-1865), was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of 
Tennessee from 1830 to 1836. He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme 
Court from 1837 to 1865. 

Caucus. The caucus originated in Boston in the earlier part of the eight- 
eenth century. It is said to have derived its name from having been a 
meeting of the caulkers connected with the shipping business in the North 
End. From these private and local meetings the term was extended, after 
the installation of the Federal Government, to the Congressional meetings 
^vhich nominated candidates for the Presidency of the United States. 
Members of Congress early began to hold caucuses to nominate candidates, 
between whom it was an understood thing that the constitutional electors 
should choose, despite the provision of the Constitution that " no Senator or 
Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United 
States, shall be appointed an elector." There were seven Congressional 
•caucuses held between 1800 and 1824. ^^ 1800 the Federalist leaders, dis- 
liking Adams, met in caucus and nominated the latter and Pinckney, hoping 
the latter might be elected. The Republicans nominated Jefferson and Burr 
in the same way. In 1804 the first open Republican caucus nominated 
Jefferson and Clinton. There was no Federalist caucus that year. In 1808, 
Jefferson having refused a third nomination, the Republican caucus 



Dictionary of United States History. 117 

nominated Madisoii and Clinton. No Federalist caucus was held that year. 
In 1812 the Republican became a war party, and the Congressional caucus 
renominated Madison unanimously with John Lailgdon for Vice-President. 
The Federalists in a secret caucus agreed to support Clinton and IngersolL 
Monroe was nominated by the Republicans in caucus in 1816, the Federalists 
making no nominations, but their electors voting for Rufus King. The 
caucus of 1820, called by Samuel Smith of Maryland, separated without 
action. The last caucus for nominating a President was held by the Republi- 
cans in 1824 and Crawlbrd was nominated, with Gallatin as Vice-President. 
In 1828 nominations were made by the State L,egislatures, and in 1831 tlie 
existing nominating system began to be introduced. Similarly, State nomi- 
nations were made in legislative caucuses, until, somewhat earlier than in the 
federal party-system, nominating conventions took their place. 

Cayuga Indians, one of the Six Nations, originally inhabited a district 
on Cayuga Lake. Though visited by French missionaries, they allied 
themselves with the English. During the Revolution the Cayugas joined 
the British, being already in arms against the colonists at Point Pleasant. 
They annoyed General Clinton on his march to join Sullivan in 1779. 
Their villages were then destroyed. After the war they ceded nearly all! 
their lands to the State of New York. They later became scattered and 
almost totally disappeared. 

Cedar Creek, Va., the final battle of Sheridan's campairjn against the 
Confederate Early in the Shenandoah Valle)-, occurring October 19, 1864. 
Each general led about 30,000 men. During the early part of the fight 
Sheridan himself was absent, the battle of Winchester, or Opequan, being 
still in progress.") Wright therefore commanded the Federals. His forces, 
under the immediate command of Emory and Crook, were drawn up along 
Cedar Creek and were there attacked at daybreak by the Confederates, who 
fell upon the Eighth Corps and routed it utterly. Wright immediately reformed 
his line, making a change of front and a retrograde movement, but losing- 
heavily during the formation. At this point Sheridan came up, assumed 
command and fell upon the Confederates, putting them to flight with great 
slaughter. This was the last attempt of the Confederates toward the Nortli 
by the Shenandoah Valley. 

Cedar Mountain, Va., July 9, 1862. General Pope, commanding the Union 
troops, having come into contact with a portion of Jackson's army, Banks 
was detailed with a force of 8000 to engage him, although Jackson's army 
numbered more than 16,000. Banks charged Jackson's rear as he retreated 
toward Culpeper. The Confederates were for a time in great confusion, but 
Jackson succeeded in rallying them and in repelling Banks' assault. Banks 
fell back to a strong position and Jackson, unwilling to attack him, retreated 
to Gordonsville. The Union loss was 1800, that of the Confederates 1300. 

Celeron de Bienville, born about 1715, French explorer. In 1749 he was 
sent by the Governor of Canada to take possession for France of the Ohio 
Valley in accordance with the terms of the then recent treaty. 

Censors. The Constitution of Pennsylvania, framed in 1776, provided 
that every seven years the people should choose a Council of Censors, two 



ii8 Dictionary of United States History. 

for each city or county, who should investigate the doings of departments of 
government, inquire whether the Constitution had been violated, etc. This 
institution was not continued by the Constitution of 1790. The Vermont 
Constitution of 1777, modeled on that of Pennsylvania, made similar provis- 
ion for a Council of Censors, to convene every seven years, and this provision, 
continued by the Constitutions of 1786 and 1793, was not abrogated until 
1870. 

Censure, Resolutions of. In case of a violation of law by the President, 
the constitutional process of pimishment is impeachment by the House, con- 
viction by the Senate and removal from office. On March 28, 1834, after a 
three months' debate. Congress resolved " that the President (Andrew Jackson) 
in the late executive proceedings in relation to the public revenue, has 
assumed upon himself authority and power not conferred by the Constitution 
and laws, but in derogation of both." Jackson protested against this as 
accusing him of perjur>'. The resolution was expunged in 1837, after a 
long struggle on the part of Jackson's friends. 

Census. Occasional censuses were taken in individual colonies. The 
Constitution of 1787 requiring that the representation of each State in Con- 
gress should be in proportion to its population, it became necessary also to 
provide for enmnerations. The Constitution provided that they should be 
made decennially. The first was made in 1790 (the first of Great Britain was 
taken in 1801), and consisted simply of an enumeration of the population, 
taken by the U. S. marshals. Since then the censuses have been made 
increasingly elaborate. The office of Superintendent of the Census, in the 
Interior Department, once decennial, is now virtually perpetual, since it 
takes ten years to publish the results of a census. For the figures, see art. 
Population. 

Cent, a copper coin stamped with various designs and issued first by the 
States, later by the Federal Government. Vennont was the first State to 
issue copper cents, having pemiitted, June, 1785, Reuben Hannon, Jr., to make 
money for the State for two years. He started a mint at Rupert, Benning- 
ton County, coining the Vermont cent of 1785. Obverse, wooded mountains 
and rising sun with a plough, Vermontis. Res. Publica. Exergue 1785. 
Reverse, a ring surrounded by thirteen stars with rays springing from tl;e 
circle; legend, Stella. Ouarta. Decima. Connecticut, in October, 1785, granted 
to Bishop, Hopkins, Hillhouse and Goodrich the right to coin ;^io,ooo of 
copper cents, known as the Connecticut cent of 1 785. Obverse, a mailed bust, 
Tiead laureated; legend, Auctori. Connec. Reverse, Goddess of Liberty grasp- 
ing olive branch in right hand and liberty staff in left, which is surmounted 
by a liberty cap; legend, Inde. Ft Lib. Exergue 1785. ]\Iassachusetts estab- 
lished a mint in 1786, and coined $60,000 in cents and half cents. Obverse of 
cent: a clothed Indian, in his right hand a bow, in his left an arrow; legend, 
Common * Wealth. Reverse, a spread eagle, a shield on his breast bearing 
the word cent, his talons grasping an olive branch and a bundle of arrows; 
legend, Massachusetts, Exergue 1787, beneath a horizontal bar. New Jersey 
granted to Goadsby and Cox, in 1786, the right to coin _;^io,ooo at fifteen 
coppers to the shilling, known as New Jersey copper coin of 1786. Obverse, 



Dictionary of United States History. 119 

horse's head, heraldic wreath and plough ; legend, Nova. Csesarea. Exergue 
1786. Reverse, a shield; legend, E Pluribus Unum. In 1781 the Con- 
tinental Congress directed Robert Morris to look into the matter of Govern- 
mental Coinage. Morris proposed a money unit equal to one-fourth of a 
grain of fine silver, an equivalent of one-fourteen-hundred-and-fortieth of a 
Spanish dollar. The coin equal to one hundred of these units was to be called 
a cent [Latin cen/iim, one hundred], 500 units a quint, 10,000 units a mark. 
These were not accepted, but in 1784 Jefferson proposed in his coinage 
report to Congress that the " smallest coin be of copper, of which two 
hundred shall pass for one dollar." In 1786 the hundredth was substituted. 
Copper cents began to be coined in 1793. In 1796 their weight was reduced. 
In 1857 *^^^ small nickel cent was substituted, in 1864 the small bronze. 

Centennial Exhibition, an international exhibition of arts, manufactures 
and products of the soil and mines held at Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, 
during the summer of 1876. It was the first international exhibition held 
in this country, and was also an anniversary exhibition of the world's prog- 
ress in the hundredth year of the existence of the United States. The 
exhibition was proposed by the citizens of Philadelphia in 1870. In 1872 
Congress permitted the appointment of a Board of Finance. This board 
raised a capital stock of $10,000,000 from among the citizens of Philadel- 
phia. Congress afterward appropriated $2,000,000 as a loan; the State of 
Pennsylvania $1,000,000, and Philadelphia $1,500,000. Many European 
and other foreign countries sent exhibits, which were admitted free of duty 
under bond. The exhibition was open from May 10 to November 10. The 
paid admissions numbered 8,000,000. 

" Centinel, Massachusetts or Columbian." The Massachusetts Centinel^ 
or Columbian Centinel^ as it was afterward called, was founded by Benjamin 
Russell at Boston, March 24, 1784. It is considered the best type of the 
early political newspaper of the United States. The most eminent Federal- 
ist statesmen and writers contributed to this journal, which wielded no little 
influence in the early history of New England. It was united with the New 
England Palladhon in 1830 and with the Bostcm Gazette in 1836. In 1840 
it became merged in the Boston Daily Advertiser, under which title it is still 
published daily, tri-weekly and weekly. It was at first semi-weekly. 

Central America. The United States concluded a commercial treaty with 
the federation of Central America in 1825. See the several States. 

Century Magazine; its publication was begun as a continuation of the 
Scribner''s Monthly, by a company organized by Roswell B. Smith, which 
bought out the Scribner's Monthly in 1881 and styled itself the Century 
Publishing Company. 

Cerro Gordo, a mountain pass commanding General Taylor's line of march 
from Vera Cruz toward the city of Mexico. It was occupied and fortified by 
the Mexican leader, Santa Anna, and a battle took place there April 17-18, 
1847. Taylor first succeeded in occupying the Ataloga heights which over- 
looked Santa Anna's position and which he had, contrary to the advice of 
his generals, left unguarded as impossible of access to the Americans. This 



I20 Dictionary of United States History. 

step of Taylor's practically won the day. Actual fighting began early April 
1 8. The guns on the Ataloga heights opened fire upon Santa Anna's fortifi- 
cations on Cerro Gordo, while General Twiggs and Colonel Baker attacked 
the Mexicans' unprotected rear. This resulted in defeat for the Mexicans. 
Santa Anna fled. Number engaged: Americans, 8500; Mexicans, 12,000. 

Chadbourne, Paul Ansel (1823-1883), of Massachusetts, president of 
Williams College, of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, and of Wis- 
consin University, was two years State Senator and a Presidential elector in 
1880. 

Chaffee, Jerome B. (1825-1886), of Colorado, Senator, was one of the 
first settlers of Denver. Was delegate in Congress from Colorado till its 
organization as a State when he was elected to the U. S. Senate. 

Chalmette's (near New Orleans), one of the fights preceding the battle 
of New Orleans. General Jackson, here entrenched, was attacked December 
28, 1814, by the British vmder General Pakenham. After severe fighting 
the British were driven back with the loss of 150 men. 

Chamberlain, Daniel H., bom in Massachusetts in 1835, was Governor of 
South Carolina in 1S74-75, and was declared re-elected in 1876. The Demo- 
crats claimed the election of Wade Hampton, and Governor Chamberlain 
retired from the contest. 

Chamberlain, Joshua L., born in 1828, soldier, of Maine, was promoted 
brigadier-general on the field by Grant in 1 864, was Governor of Maine f: om 
1867 to 1 87 1, was president of Bowdoin College from 1871 to 1883. 

Chambersburg, Pa., burned by M'Causland and Johnson of Early's Con- 
federate army July 30, 1864. These generals were at the time engaged in 
raiding toward the Susquehanna with a cavalry troop of 3000 men. They 
demanded of the citizens of Chambersburg, largely Union sympathizers, 
$200,000 in gold, or $500,000 in greenbacks. This being refused, the town 
was fired. This is said to have been done in retaliation for Hunter's burn- 
ing of Governor Letcher's house at Lexington, Va. 

Champ d'Asile (field of refuge), a colony of French soldiers of the 
Empire, founded by General Lallemand and others in Texas in 181 8. It 
proved a failure. 

Champion Hills, Miss. At this place during Grant's pursuit in 1863 of 
Pemberton toward Vicksburg, Pemberton having 25,000 Confederates, there 
occurred, on May 16, a severe battle in which the Confederates were badly 
beaten. The Confederates held a position along a narrow ridge, their left 
resting on a height overlooking the Vicksburg road. Hovey's division of 
Grant's army was engaged in building a bridge at this point, and that leader 
began the battle. He was quickly reinforced by McClernand and McPherson. 
Logan's brigade had meantime reached the Confederate flank by a detour, 
so they were compelled to retreat hurriedly to escape being captured. As it 
was, many of their batteries fell into the hands of the Federals. 

Champlain, Samuel de (1567-1635), French navigator. In 1599 he 
sailed in the " St. Julien " for the West Indies, and returned by way of the 



Dictionary of United vStates History. 121 

Isthmus of Panama, across which he conceived the plan of a ship-canal. In 
1603-04 he in two voyages explored the St. Lawrence River. In 1604-06 
he explored and mapped the coast as far as Cape Cod. On his next voyage 
he founded Quebec in 1608. In 1609 he joined the Montagnais against the 
Iroquois. They ascended the Sorel River and entered the lake to which he 
gave his own name. 

Chancellorsville, Va., a famous battle of the Civil War, occurring May 
1-4, 1863, during Hooker's command of the Army of the Potomac. The 
Federals numbered 100,000 troops; the Confederates under Lee, who lay on 
the west side of the Rappahannock River, were about 90,000 strong. Lee 
had, during the winter, constructed an impregnable line from Bank's Ford 
to Port Royal. Hooker dispatched Sedgwick across the river to menace 
Fredericksburg, and Stoneman's cavalry to attack Lee's rear, while he, with 
the main column, intended crossing lower down the stream and assaulting 
the Confederate flank. Before Lee was aware he had moved, he was estab- 
lished at Chancellorsville with 46,000 troops. Lee at once decided to begin 
the attack. May i several short attacks were made upon the Federals to 
ascertain their position and strength. May 2 Jackson, with 26,000 Con- 
federates, making a long detour swept down upon Hooker's left under 
Howard, and completely demolished it. The counter charge of Keenan's 
Pennsylvania troops alone saved the left from utter destruction. Late in 
the afternoon Stonewall Jackson was fired upon by mistake by his own men 
and mortally wounded. May 3 the fight was renewed with terrible vigor. 
Lee and J. E. B. Stuart combined forces and attacked Hooker's centre. 
Hooker himself was wounded, and the National line became completely 
demoralized. The Federals were rapidly forced back to some strong intrench- 
ments that had been constructed the previous night. Just then Lee heard 
that Sedgwick had captured Fredericksburg heights, and was advancing upon 
his rear. His attention was turned to defeating Sedgwick. Hooker 
retreated, beaten and in confusion. 

Chandler, William E., born in 1835, of New Hampshire, politician and 
Senator, was several times member of the Legislature of his State and twice 
Speaker of its House of Representatives. From the time of his coming of 
age he has been an active Republican politician and secretary of its national 
committee from 1868 to 1876, was Secretary of the Navy from 1882 to 18S5 
and was elected U. S. Senator in 1889 for a term to expire in 1895. 

Chandler, Zachariah (1813-1879), of ]\Iichigan, Senator, removed from 
New Hampshire to Detroit in 1833 and engaged in the dry -goods business, 
in which he was successful. He became a prominent Whig and a director 
of the " underground railroad." Was elected to the U. S. Senate to succeed 
General Cass in 1857, and remained in that post till 1874, when he was 
appointed Secretary of the Interior by Grant. He was again elected to the 
Senate in 1879. 

Channing, 'William Ellery (i 780-1842), ot Massachusetts, preacher and 
writer. He was graduated at Har\'ard in 1798, for the next two years was a 
private instructor in Richmond, studied theology at Cambridge and was 
settled over the Federal Street Church in Boston in 1803, where he became 



122 Dictionary of United States History. 

the leader of the Unitarian movement then stirring New England, and active 
in all the philanthropic enterprises of his time. 

Chantilly, Va., a fierce fight during a violent thunderstorm, September i, 
1862, between Jackson's division of Lee's army and portions of Hooker's, 
Reno's, McDowell's and Kearny's divisions of Pope's army. Pope had retreated 
from Manassas to Fairfax Court House and Jackson was dispatched by Lee 
to cut off" his communications with Washington. Jackson fell heavily upon 
Pope's flank, which resisted him stoutly and finally repulsed his attack. Many 
lives were lost on both sides, however, and among the dead was General 
Kearny, an old and experienced Union commander. 

Chapin Farm, Va., a brief engagement, September 28, 1864, between 
small detachments of Federals and Confederates. The former were worsted. 
This occurred during the campaign in the vicinities of Richmond and 
Petersburg. 

Chapultepec, Mexico, a famous battle of the Mexican War, September 
12-14, 1847, Scott commanding the Americans, Santa Anna the Mexicans. 
Pillow and Quitman were ordered to attack the castle, supported by Worth, 
Twiggs checking reinforcements from the city. An entrance into the castle 
groves and the castle itself was quickly effected and the fighting raged along 
the streets of the city. The castle flag was shot away and General Bravo, 
four other generals, 100 ofiicers and 800 men surrendered. Worth had 
meanwhile established his headquarters within the city gates. September 
14, Worth captured the citadel and hoisted over the palace the Stars and 
Stripes. Santa Anna sent to Scott demanding guarantees of life and property. 
Scott refused to be bound by terms other than those imposed by honor and 
usage. Scott was obliged to sweep the streets with canister and grape 
because of attacks from the houses. Numbers engaged : Americans, 7200; 
Mexicans, 25,000. 

Charles I. (1600— 1649), King of Great Britain from 1625 to 1649, ^^ 1628 
granted a charter to the Governor and company of Massachusetts Bay Colony. 
His arbitrary rule and his persecutions of religious sects through Archbishop 
Laud caused a great emigration to New'England. He was always hostile to 
the government set up there. In 1629 he gave the " Province of Carolana " 
to Sir Robert Heath, his attorney-general. In 1632 he gave to Cecilius Cal- 
vert, second Lord Baltimore, a proprietary grant of Maryland. 

Charles II. (1630-16S5), King of Great Britain from 1660 to 1685, was 
displeased with the independent spirit of New England, and in 1664 sent 
four royal commissioners, Nicolls, Carr, Cartwright and Maverick, who should 
correct abuses in those colonies. He was especially displeased with the 
treatment of the Quakers by Massachusetts. He granted liberal charters to 
Connecticut and Rhode Island, 1662-63. In 1664 he claimed and took 
possession of New Netherland. In i67ohe chartered the Hudson Bay Company. 
In 1673 he reaffirmed Carteret's New Jersey charter. In 1681 he granted 
Pennsylvania to William Penn, giving him a proprietary' grant of 40,000 
square miles. In 1684 he revoked the charter of Massachusetts. 



Dictionary of United States History. 123 

Charles, Cape, Va., so named in April, 1607, by Admiral Newport, in 
honor of the baby Charles, son of James I., who was afterward Charles I. 
of England. 

Charles City Cross Roads. (See Glendale.) 

Charles River Bridge Case, an important Supreme Court case. In 1785 
the Legislature of Massachusetts incorporated a company to build a bridge 
over the Charles River from Charlestown to Boston, granting tolls. In 1828 
the Legislature granted the incorporation of another company to build what 
is known as the Warren Bridge, which was eventually to be free. The first 
company brought suit in the Supreme Court of Massachusetts for an injunc- 
tion to prevent the erection of the Warren Bridge, stating that the act of the 
Legislature incorporating the second company impaired the obligations of a 
contract made with the first company and was therefore repugnant to the 
National Constitution. The Supreme Court of Massachusetts found judg- 
ment for the defendant, and this decision was confinned by the Supreme 
Court of the United States in 1837, on the ground that a State law may be 
retrospective and may divest vested rights, without impairing contract. This 
was a limitation of the decision given in the Dartmouth College case. 

Charleston, S. C, was founded 1670 (in its present situation 1672), by 
English colonists under William Sayle. The city joined with the colonists 
against Great Britain at an early period. It was thrice attacked during 
the Revolution, first by Sir Peter Parker and Sir Henry Clinton in 1776, 
again by General Prevost in 1779. In May, 1779, Prevost summoned 
Charleston to surrender, but was forced to retire by the sudden appearance 
of American reinforcements. Again early in 1780, Clinton advanced upon 
Charleston with 16,000 men. Lincoln undertook the defense with only 
7000 men. The British army encompassed the city, and the fleet ran past 
the forts. Lincoln was surrounded and forced to surrender his stores and 
army. Thus a whole army was lost to the Americans. After the capture 
of Fort Washington this was the greatest disaster that befell their cause 
during the war. For events at the opening of the Civil War, see Secession 
and Sumter, Fort, also Charleston Harbor. The city was occupied February 
18, 1865, by Sherman's Federal troops, about 75,000 strong, Hardee having 
evacuated it with his 35,000 Confederates. This occupation of Charleston 
took place without bloodshed, but Hardee, before leaving the city, set fire to 
nearly all the warehouses and cotton whar\'es, for he was determined not to 
leave anything for the Federals. An accidental explosion of powder destroyed 
about 200 persons. The National flag was once more raised on Fort Sumter 
by the ofiicer commanding the Federal garrison at Fort Morris. The Federals 
captured 450 guns, which Hardee had left. Charleston was visited by an 
earthquake August 31, 1886, which destroyed a large part of the city and 
many lives. 

Charleston, W. Va., became the capital of that State in 1872. John 
Brown was tried and executed here on December 2, 1859. 

Charleston, College of (S. C). In October, 1775, the General Assembly 
passed an act for the establishment of a college at Charleston. Owing, 



124 Dictionary of United States History. 

however, to the Revohitioii its first class was not graduated till 1794. In 
1886 the college was almost destroyed by an earthquake, but was very soon 
rebuilt. Its law school was opened in 1864. 

Charleston Harbor, a battle of the Civil War occurring April 7, 1863, in 
which monitors were first tried, and without success, against land fortifi- 
cations. The Federal Admiral Dupont proposed to capture Charleston from 
the Confederates by destroying Fort Sumter with iron-clads and rams. He 
entered the harbor with seven Ericsson monitors, the frioate " Ironsides " 
and the "Keokuk," both partially iron-clad. The monitor "Weehawken " 
led the way. An advance was immediately made upon Fort Sumter, Forts 
Morris and Moultrie being disregarded. The Confederates opened fire upon 
the fleet from all three forts, including 300 guns. The fleet was quickly 
disabled and thrown into the utmost confusion. The " Ironsides " became 
entangled with the monitors, the " Keokuk " was struck ninety-nine times, 
the " Passaic " twenty-seven times. Dupont was compelled to leave the 
harbor after a few hours' firing, acknowledging the impossibility of taking 
the city with his fleet. 

Charlestown, Mass., was founded in 1629. Dnring the battle of Bunker 
Hill, Charlestown was completely destroyed by shells and fire (June 17, 
1775). Charlestown was incorporated with Boston in 1874. 

Charnay, Desire, born in France in 1828, explorer. In 1880 was sent 
by the French Government to explore Central America, in which he was 
aided by Pierre L,orillard, of New York. 

Charter Oak, a tree near Ilartford, Conn., in the hollow of which Captain 
Wadsworth hid the charter of the colon}- to prevent its being taken by Sir 
Edmund Andros in 1687. The tree was prostrated by a gale August 20, 
1856. The story has been doubted. 

Charters. The kings of England made grants by letters patent to indi- 
viduals, giving them land and jurisdiction in America. The name charter 
is commonly restricted to the grants made to companies or large bodies of 
men. Of these the chief w^ere those of the Virginia Company in 1606, 1609 
and 161 2, of the Council for New England (1620), of the Massachusetts Bay 
Company (1629), of Providence Plantations (1644), of Connecticut (1662), 
of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (1663), of Massachusetts (1691), 
and of Georgia (1732). Of a similar sort were the charters which were 
given to the Dutch West India Company by the States General of the United 
Netherlands in 162 1, and to the Swedish Company by Gustavus Adolphus 
in 1624. 'I^^is attempt has been made to derive the constitutions or forms 
of government of our colonies from the forms of internal government pre- 
scribed, in these charters, for the colonizing companies. But it is much 
more probable that the colonial institutions are modeled on the govern- 
mental institutions of England itself. The theory that a charter constituted 
a contract between the granting government and the grantee was apparently 
first advanced by Jeremiah Dnmmer, in his " Defence of the Charters." See 
Dartmouth College case. 



Dictionary of United States History. 125 

Chase, Samuel (1741-1811), of Maryland, signer of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, was an ardent patriot, was a delegate to the Continental Congress 
1774-78, became Chief Justice of the General Court of Maryland in 1791, and 
was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1796. 
In 1804 he was impeached by the House of Representatives, on the ground 
of Federalist partisanship, but the Senate failed to sustain the charges. 

Chase, Salmon Portland (1808-1S73), Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 
was born at Cornish, N. H. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1826, 
and became a school teacher and finally a lawyer in Cincinnati. From an 
early period he was profoundly interested in the anti-slaver}- movement, and 
was one of the leaders of the Liberty party and of the later Free-Soil party. 
In 1849 ^is entered the U. S. Senate' from Ohio, having been elected by a 
coalition of Democrats and Free-Soilers. He distinguished himself as an 
opponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill and in 1856-60 was Republican 
Governor of Ohio. When the Republican convention of i860 met, Mr. 
Chase was a leading candidate, and was naturally a member of President 
Lincoln's Cabinet. His services in 1861-64 in supervising the finances of 
the nation during a critical and difficult period have been rated at a very 
high value. Shortly after leaving the Treasury Department he was appointed 
in 1864 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and held that office till his 
death. His name had been mentioned for the Presidenc}' in 1864, and in 
1868 it was before the Democratic National Convention; but his position 
respecting negro sufirage led to the rejection of his candidacy. Life by 
Schucker. 

Chastellux, Francois Jean, Marquis de (1734-1788), French author, was 
major-general in America under Rochambeau. In his "Voyage dans I'Ame- 
rique septentrionale, " etc., he notes his observations of men and events in 
America in a lively manner. 

Chateaubriand, Francois Auguste, Vicomte de (i 768-1848), French 
statesman. In 1791 he came to the United States and traveled extensively 
among the Indians. He returned to France, where he attained high political 
honors and wide fame in literature. 

Chateaugay (N. Y.), action of October 25, 1813. On the banks of this 
stream guarding a ford was Lieutenant-Colonel Salaberry with 1000 British. 
General Hampton with 4000 men attacked in two divisions. A series of 
blunders, disgraceful to the American arms, resulted in the inglorious retreat 
of the Americans. Their loss was thirty-eight men, the British twenty-five. 

Chatham, Earl of (William Pitt), (November 15, 1708-May 11, 1788), 
the great English statesman, was a cornet of horse in the arm}' before he 
entered the House of Commons in 1735. He had been paymaster of the 
forces, but his great period is from 1756 to 1761, when he was Secretaiy of 
State and practically Prime Minister in the administrations of tlie Duke of 
Devonshire and the Duke of Newcastle. During this epoch he was the life 
and soul of the great struggle against France. He supported Frederick the 
Great on the Continent, and retrieved the British reverses in America. He 
was the idol of the nation, the " Great Commoner," and on the English side 



126 Dictionary of United States History. 

the central figure of the Seven Years' War. He resigned in 1761, sided with 
the Americans in the Revolutionary struggle, and held office as Privy Seal 
in the Grafton ministry 1766-68, having been created Earl of Chatham. 
He continued to champion the cause of the Americans, and of his speeches 
in their behalf that of 1777 is especially celebrated. 

Chatham, Canada, War of 1812. General Procter and Tecnmtha, when 
pursued by General Harrison, here made a stand October 4, 1813, but were 
again driven in flight with the loss of several men and military supplies. 

Chattanooga, Tenn., a famous battle of the Civil War in which Bragg 
with an army of 53,000 Confederates was utterly routed by Grant and his 
80,000 Federals. Bragg, after defeating Rosecrans at Chickamauga, advanced 
upon Chattanooga and Grant hastened to meet him. Bragg's army extended 
about twelve miles, lying along Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge 
with its centre stretching across Chattanooga valley. The battle took place 
November 23-25, 1863. Grant placed Sherman on his left facing Mission- 
ary Ridge, Thomas in the centre across the valley and Hooker 011 his right 
opposite Lookout Mountain. Laying two bridges across the Tennessee River 
on the night of the 23d, Sherman crossed and attempted to attack Missionary 
Ridge, Hooker, on the 24th, made a detour of Lookout Mountain, climbed 
its heights and dispersed the Confederates stationed there. This was called 
the "battle of the clouds." On the 25th, Grant, perceiving that Bragg was 
massing his forces against Sherman, ordered Thomas to advance against the 
Confederate centre. Thomas broke the centre and followed Sherman to 
Missionary' Ridge. The Confederates were routed, their guns being captured 
and turned against them. The defeat of the entire Confederate army fol- 
lowed and Bragg joined the flight. 

Chauncy, Charles (1592-1672), educator. He fled to New England in 
1638; was settled as minister at Scituate, Massachusetts, in 1641; was presi- 
dent of Harvard College from 1654 till his death. 

Chauncy, Isaac (1772-1840), naval officer, distinguished himself in 
naval actions off" Tripoli. In 1812-1814 he commanded the fleet on Lake 
Ontario, displaying great skill and energy, and gained important advantages 
over the British. 

Chautauqua, an educational institution with headquarters at Lake Chau- 
tauqua, New York, organized in 1874 by Lewis Miller, of Akron, O., and 
the Rev. John H. Vincent. The first assembly was called for the discussion 
of religious and secular topics, and opened on the first Tuesday in August, 
1874. Since then the assembly has been held regularly every year, and a 
vast system of education by reading at home has been organized. 

Cheat Mountain Pass, W. Va., a strong position occupied by General 
Reynolds of McClellan's army with a small force. Skirmishing occurred 
September 12, 13 and 14, Lee endeavoring to drive Reynolds from the pass. 
Reynolds' troops numbered less than half of Lee's, but so impregnable was 
his position that Lee found it impossible to dislodge him. October 3, 1861, 
Lee having departed for the South, the pass was occupied by General H. R, 



Dictionary of United States History. 127 

Jackson, of Georgia, whom Reynolds in his turn in vain endeavored to 
dislodge. 

Chemung, Battle of, August 29, 1779, an engagement between Sullivan's 
troops and the Indian and Tory force of Western New York, during Sullivan's 
march on Fort Niagara. The savages commanded by Brant and Johnson 
fought bravely, but were at length routed by bringing artillery into action. 

Cherokee Indians down to 1830 occupied the upper valley of the Ten- 
nessee River. They supported the English against the French. In 1755 
they ceded lands to Governor Glen and permitted the construction of English 
forts within their territory. In 1757 difficulties arose which led to hostilities 
with the English, finally terminated by the Cherokees' defeat in 1761. In 
1773 they ceded to Georgia a large tract of laud. At the commencement of 
the Revolution they joined the English, and in 1780 served at Augusta. They 
were finally reduced by General Pickens and acknowledged the sovereignty 
of the United States (November 28, 1785). They ceded other portions of 
their territory, and in 1790 a part of the tribe migrated to Louisiana. The 
Cherokees rendered important services in Jackson's army in 181 2, but the 
Georgians desired to get rid of them. In 181 7 they ceded lands to the 
United States, who in turn provided lands on the Arkansas and White. 
Here 3000 emigrated in 1818, and finally in 1835 the remainder found 
homes in Indian Territory, west of the lands given the first immigrants. 
During the Civil War they first joined the Confederates, taking part in the 
battle at Pea Ridge, but afterward were separated into two parties. (See 
next art.) 

Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia, an important case before the U. S. Supreme 
Court, decided in 1831. By the Hopewell treaty of 1785 the United States 
recognized the Cherokees as a nation capable of making peace and war, of 
governing its citizens and of owning and governing its lands. About 1826 
the Georgia Legislature through Governor Troup declared these treaties not 
binding upon the State, on the ground that Georgia and the Federal Govern- 
ment were equal and independent powers, and that disputes between them 
could not be decided by the Supreme Court, but by negotiation. In 1830 
an act was passed by the Georgia Legislature authorizing a survey and appor- 
tionment of the Cherokee lands within the State, their gold mines were seized 
and they were considered under the State's dominion, thus ousting the Chero- 
kees from the lands solemnly guaranteed by the United States. The Cherokees 
applied to President Jackson without success. Then they tried the Supreme 
Court. This court decided them not a foreign State, capable of maintaining 
an action in the court, but a domestic, dependent nation. The injunction 
was refused and the Cherokees relegated to the mercy of Georgia. Later, in 
the case of Worcester z>s. Georgia, State authority in such matters was denied 
by the Supreme Court, Federal treaties being declared to have precedence. 
(See Worcester z's. Georgia.) 

Cherry Valley, Massacre of. On December 10, 1778, the village of Cherry 
Valley in Central New York was destroyed by 700 Tories and Indians. 
About fifty inhabitants were murdered without regard to age or sex. Many 



128 Dictionary of United States History. 

persons of refinement were among the victims. Such atrocities as this and 
that of the Wyoming thoroughly incensed the colonists against Tory methods 
of warfare. 

" Cherub," sloop. (See " Essex.") 

Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. This canal was begun in 1825, and 
Congress, by Act of March 3, 1825, appropriated $300,000 to be subscribed 
to its stock. This was among the first acts relating to internal improvement. 

" Chesapeake" and " Leopard" affair. In 1807 three negro sailors deserted 
from the British man-of-war " Melampus" and enlisted on the United States 
ship " Chesapeake." The British squadron was then just within the Virginia 
capes. The British admiral demanded a surrender of the sailors. This 
was refused by our Government. Accordingly, June 22, as the " Chesapeake," 
in a half-prepared condition, was sailing out from Hampton Roads, a 
lieutenant from the British ship " Leopard " boarded her and again demanded 
the deserters. Upon being refused, Captain Humphrey immediately opened 
fire upon the " Chesapeake," which Commodore Barron, who was wholly 
unprepared, was compelled to surrender without firing a gun. President 
Jefferson at once issued a proclamation demanding a disavowal of the act, 
the restoration of the captured sailors and the recall of Admiral Berkeley. 
Though some tardy reparation was made, the affair greatly exasperated 
American opinion against the British, and contributed to bring on the War 
of 1812. 

" Chesapeake " and " Shannon." The " Chesapeake," thirty-eight guns. 
Captain Lawrence, was challenged by the " Shannon," a British thirty-eight 
gun vessel, but then carr)-ing fiftj'-two guns. June i, 1813, was the day set 
for the duel, which took place near Boston. After twelve minutes the 
" Chesapeake " became unmanageable through its injuries. Its decks were 
now swept by the guns of the " Shannon." Lawrence was mortally wounded 
and was carried below with the exhortation, "Don't give up the ship." 
The boarders from the " Shannon " now swarmed over the sides and after a 
severe struggle were victorious. The American loss was 146 men, the Brit- 
ish eighty-four. The "Shannon" sailed at once to Halifax with its prize, 
which was afterward sold to the Government and used as a war vessel. In 
1820 it was sold as old timber and used as building material. 

Chester, Pa., oldest town in the State, was settled by Swedes in 1643, 
and originally called Upland. The provisional assembly of William Penn's 
government was held here in 1682. 

Chestertown, Md., was laid out in 1706, and was in colonial times a noted 
seat of social life. 

Chestnut Hill, Pa., scene of a sharp skirmish, December 4, 1777, between 
the British troops under Howe, and the Pennsylvania militia led by General 
James Irvine. The militia fled and Irvine was left wounded in the hands 
of the enemy. 

Cheves, Langdon (i 776-1 857), of South Carolina, statesman, was elected 
to Congress in 1810; was chairman of the Naval Committee in 1812 and of 



Dictionary of United States History. 129 

that of Ways and Means in 1813. In 1814 he succeeded Henry Clay as 
Speaker, serving during Clay's absence in Europe, one year. He was presi- 
dent of the United States bank 1819-1822. In 1832 he condemned nullifi- 
cation as not sufficiently thorough-going. 

Cheyenne, capital of Wyoming, was settled in 1867, when the Union 
Pacific road first reached that point. 

Cheyennes, an Indian tribe of the Algonquin family, settled near the 
Black Hills before the beginning of the present century. In 1825 the first 
treaty of friendship was made with them by General Atkinson. The tribe 
separated later, and one part moved South. A number of treaties between 
both divisions of the tribe and the United States were executed. The 
failure to fulfill the one of 1861 led to war. Negotiations for peace were 
being made, when, on November 29, 1864, Colonel Chevington attacked the 
Sandy Creek village, and massacred 100 Cheyennes. A disastrous war 
followed. In 1865 the southern division agreed to go on a reservation, 
except the Dog Soldiers whose village was burned by General Hancock in 
1867. This led to another disastrous war, in which General Custer defeated 
them at Washita. The northern band continued peaceable. 

Chicago, 111., was organized as a town in 1833, and became a city in 1837. 
In the latter part of the seventeenth century, the French built a fort on the 
site of the present city, and later the United States Government erected a 
fort (Fort Dearborn) which was not abandoned until 1837. In October, 1871, 
Chicago was visited by the most disastrous fire of modern times. Chicago 
University was opened here in 1892, and here in 1893 the Columbian 
Exposition was held. The population of Chicago was in 1840, 4479; 1850, 
29,963; i860, 109,206; 1870, 306,605; 1880, 503,185; 1890, 1,099,880. 

Chicago, Historical Society of, began in 1851 and is still in flourishing 
condition, though 17,000 volumes of its books and its collections were destroyed 
in the Chicago fire in 1871. 

Chicago, University of, was first founded 1857, but closed 1886 through 
financial troubles. In 1890 it was entirely reorganized, largely through the 
gifts of John D. Rockefeller, and now has an endowment of over seven 
millions. Its work is largely graduate. 

Chickamauga, Ga., a bloody battle of the Civil War between Rosecrans 
and Bragg, commanding 55,000 Federals and 70,000 Confederates respec- 
tively. It occurred September 19-20, 1863. The Federals were badly defeated. 
They lost 16,000 men and the Confederates 18,000. Rosecrans was march- 
ing on Chattanooga, Bragg slowly retreating and expecting reinforcements 
before he should decide to give battle. These reinforcements came suddenly 
and unknown to Rosecrans. Bragg suddenly halted at Chickamauga, and 
deployed his troops for battle. Rosecrans placed his troops with Thomas 
on the left, Crittenden in the centre and McCook on the right, along the 
Chickamauga Creek. September 19 the Confederates crossed the creek, and 
Polk struck Thomas' line. That general speedily returned the assault, 
thereby confusing Bragg's plan. vSeptembef 20 Thomas was again attacked. 
He had frequently to call for reinforcements, though he held his position 
9 



130 Dictionary of United States History. 

stoutly. Finally General Wood, misinterpreting an order, made a false 
move, which precipitated the Confederate attack upon a weak point in the 
Federal line, and the day was lost. Rosecrans fled to Chattanooga, but 
Thomas kept fighting until Garfield was sent to summon him. Here he 
acquired his sobriquet of " The Rock of Chickaraauga." 

Chickasaw Case. In 1836 a writ of habeas corpus was served against 
Captain Eldridge of the brig " Chickasaw," for holding two colored women 
with the intent of carrying them South. The women were ordered dis- 
charged on their presenting free papers. This action against Eldridge resulted 
from the efforts of Northern people in organizing vigilance committees against 
kidnapping. 

Chickasaw Indians, first known to the whites as residing east of the 
Mississippi. They early joined the English against the French and in 1739 
entered into friendly relations with General Oglethorpe. In 1765 their head 
men with those of the Choctaws met Governor George Johnson in a congress 
at Mobile and established friendly trade relations. By the treaty of 1786 
their territory was fixed with a boundary at the Ohio on the north and 
extended down into what is now Mississippi. They continued friendly 
with the whites during Indian hostilities and aided them against the Creeks 
in 1793. By treaties in 1805, 1816 and 1818 they ceded all their lands east 
of the Mississippi, some of the tribe having previously, about the year iSoo, 
migrated to the Arkansas. In 1832 and 1834 the Chickasaws ceded the 
remainder of their lands and migrated to the territory of the Choctaws, with 
whom they lived under one government until 1855, when they were granted 
a political separation. Early in the Civil War they took sides with the South. 

Chihuahua, Mexico, occupied by an American army under Doniphan, 
February 28, 1847. Doniphan had been sent by General Kearny to relieve 
General Wool, who had been dispatched on an expedition against Chihuahua 
in October, 1846. Wool had, however, failed of his destination. Doniphan 
took possession of Chihuahua without difficulty, experiencing no opposition. 
He retained possession of the city and then abandoned it, finding that Wool 
did not seem likely to join him. His troops were led to New Orleans and 
there disbanded. 

Child, Lydia Maria (1802-1880), of Massachusetts, author. Her volumi- 
nous writings were mainly in the interest of the anti-slavery cause, and were 
widely circulated and very influential. 

Childs, George William (1829-1894), of Philadelphia, publisher. In 
1864 he became proprietor of the Public Ledger^ the wealth derived from 
which he liberally used for public purposes. 

Chili. The independence of Chili was recognized by the United States in 
March, 1822. A general commercial convention between the United States 
and Chili was concluded in 1832 and augmented in 1833. By the conven- 
tion of 1858 the "Macedonian" claims of United States citizens against 
Chili were left to the arbitration of the King of Belgium, who decided in 
favor of the United States. The attack on the sailors of the U. S. Steam- 
ship " Baltimore," October 16, 1891, by a Chilian mob, has necessitated the 



Dictionary of United States History. 131 

payment of an indemnity of $75,000 from Chili. The Chilian Congress of 
1 89 1, victorious in its revolution against Balmaceda, established a provisional 
government June 4, which was promptly recognized by the United States. 

Chillicothe, O., was founded by emigrants from Virginia in 1796. It was 
the State capital from 1800 to 1810. 

China. By the treaty with China of 1844, all citizens of the United 
States enjoy complete rights of extra-territoriality. These rights, together 
with commercial regulations, were still more firmly secured by the treaty of 
1858. In November of the same year a convention for the regulation of the 
tariff was concluded, and a convention for the settlement of claims against 
China. A treaty embodying additional regulations to that of 1858 was 
concluded July 28, 186S. These regulations granted chiefly the right to 
exchange consuls, the right of religious liberty, the right of voluntary 
emigration. The two treaties of November 17, 1880, regulated Chinese 
immigration into the United States, prohibited the importation of opium, 
and further regulated judicial procedure. (See art. Chinese Immigration.) 

Chinese Immigration. The relations of the United States with China 
date back to 1844, when Caleb Cushing negotiated the first treaty, by which 
five Chinese ports were opened for trade purposes, and the protection of 
American life and property in China and extra-territorial consular jurisdic- 
tion granted the United States. The Reed treaty of 1858 gained still greater 
advantages. Under the Burlingame treaty of 1868 the right of migration 
was acknowledged inalienable, and the express promise was made that " the 
subjects of China shall enjoy the same privileges, immunities and exemptions 
in respect to travel and residence as may be enjoyed by the citizens and 
subjects of the most favored nation." The census of 1880 showed 105,000 
resident Chinese. They had become obnoxious to the Californians. They 
were persecuted, and every effort made to have the treaty of 1868 abrogated. 
It was said that they could not be assimilated and that their habits were 
vicious. In 1876 the report of the Chinese Committee was violently denun- 
ciatory of the Chinese. In 1879 a bill for the restriction of Chinese 
immigration passed both Houses, but was vetoed by President Hayes. In 
1880 a commission sent to China negotiated an agreement under which 
immigration could be partially prohibited. Chinamen leaving this country 
could not return unless possessed of a certificate issued by the United States 
Government, proving their fonner residence. In 188^ twenty-eight China- 
men were murdered by miners in Wyoming for refusing to join a strike and 
$ia2jOOO of property was destroyed. In 1888 a bill was passed and signed 
iJytiie President, excluding Chinese immigration and rendering certificates 
of returning Chinamen valueless. This was because of China's tardiness 
in ratifying a new treaty. In 1892 Congress passed the "Geary Act," in 
accordance with which any Chinaman adjudged to be not lawfully entitled 
to remain in the United States should be removed to China; all Chinese 
laborers should be obliged to procure certificates of residence from the col- 
lectors of internal revenue, and any who did not do so within a year should 
be sent back to China. Means of executing the act failing, it was partially 
rescinded in 1893. 



132 Dictionary of United States History. 

Chippewa (Canada, opposite Niagara), scene of a battle in the War of 
1 812. After the capture of Fort Erie, General Brown advanced to attack 
the British at Chippewa, July 5, 1814; the armies were only two miles apart. 
The British advance corps fled back upon the advancing main body. The 
British charge was successful at first, but repeated rallies, reinforcements and 
finally a flank movement changed the day. The fugitives destroyed the 
bridge over the Chippewa, and stopped the pursuit. The American loss was 
355 in all, the British 604, of whom 236 were killed. 

Chippewas. (See Ojibways.) 

Chisholm vs. Georgia, an important case in the U. S. Supreme Court. In 
1792 Alexander Chisholm, of South Carolina, brought suit against the State 
of Georgia for the payment of a private claim. Counsel for the plaintiff 
argued that this court was vested by the Constitution with jurisdiction in 
cases of this sort, and that the plaintiff" could legally recover. The court 
found judgment for the plaintiff upon this ground, and a writ of inquiry was 
issued, but never executed, since the Legislature of Georgia passed an act 
making the execution of such a writ punishable by death. The Ele\-enth 
Amendment was at once resolved upon. In 1798 the Supreme Court declared 
the Eleventh Amendment to have been constitutionally adopted, and 
renounced its jurisdiction in such cases. 

Chisholm, William W. (1830-1877), of Mississippi, was a Unionist dur- 
ing the Civil War, notwithstanding which he was repeatedly elected probate 
judge. He was murdered by a Ku-Klux mob. 

Choate, Rufus (i 799-1 859), of Massachusetts, lawyer. He was graduated 
as valedictorian, at Dartmouth, in 1819, when he was already remarkable for 
scholarship. In 1821 he studied law w-ith William W^irt in Baltimore, and 
was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1823, at which he soon took the 
foremost place as an advocate. He was a member of Congress 1831-35, 
and of the U. S. Senate 1841-45, in which he made many brilliant speeches, 
notably one against the annexation of Texas. 

Choctaw Indians, originally occupying lands along the Gulf of Mexico, 
early took sides with the French; but later a part became friendly to the 
English. They acknowledged the sovereignty of the United States in 1786. 
At the beginning of the present century a migratory movement to the West 
was begun. They served in the war with England and in the Creek War. 
In 1820 they ceded a part of their territory to the Government for lands west 
of Arkansas. Georgia assumed control over their lands in the East, giving 
the Indians the rights of citizenship. In 1830 they ceded the remainder of 
their lands and moved West with the Chickasaws. By joining the Con- 
federate cause they lost their civil rights. New treaties were made in 1866. 

Christian Endeavor, Young People's Society of, was first established by 
Rev. F. E. Clark at Portland, Me., February 2, 1S81. There are now more 
than 22,000 societies in all parts of the world, with 1,500,000 members. 

Christiana Case (1851) grew out of an attempt of Edward Gorsuch and 
a Maryland party to seize a fugitive slave in Christiana, Pa. A riot followed 



Dictionary of United States History. 133 

and Gorsuch was killed. Castner Hanway, a Quaker in feeble health, was 
ordered by Marshal Kline to assist in quelling the disturbance. The Quaker 
refused, though he tried to prevent bloodshed. He was subsequently charged 
with treason, and later with riot and bloodshed, together with Elijah Lewis, 
another Quaker. No indictments were found, but the case became notorious. 

Chrystler's Field (St. Lawrence River), War of 1812. General Wilkinson 
with the main body of the American army here fought a slightly superior force 
of British. The battle lasted five hours, victory alternately favoring one and 
then the other. Night ended the conflict, with the British in possession of 
the field. The American loss was especially severe; many of the bravest 
officers were killed or wounded. The total American loss was 339 ; the 
British, 187 killed, wounded and missing. 

Church, Benjamin (1639-1718), of Massachusetts, soldier, was active in 
King Philip's War, was in the Great Swamp Fight in the Narragansett country 
and finally compassed Philip's death on August 12, 1676. 

Church, Frederic E., born in 1826, of New York, painter, has traveled 
extensively for the purposes of his art. His best known pictures are " Ice- 
bergs," "The Great Fall at Niagara" and "The Heart of the Andes." 

Church, Sanford E. (1815-1880), of New York, jurist, was Lieutenant- 
Governor 1851-1855; Comptroller 1858-1869; and Chief Justice of the Court 
of Appeals from 1870 till his death. 

Church and State in America. The relationship of Church and State in the 
United States differs from all previous relationships in Europe and in the 
colonies. In the colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut, the Congre- 
gational Church was established; in most of the others the Church of Eng- 
land. Rhode Island, Maryland and Pennsylvania early provided for religious 
freedom. The Revolution brought disestablishment and religious freedom 
in several States. There are two provisions in the Constitution of 1787 
bearing on the question of religion, which secure its freedom and independ- 
ence. In Article VI. it is declared that " no religious test shall ever be required 
as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." But 
this was not deemed a sufficient guarantee for absolute religious freedom, so 
the first amendment was to the effect that " Congress shall make no law 
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there- 
of." In the Legislatures of some of the States a fear was early expressed that 
government might pass into the hands of Roman Catholics, Jews or infidels, 
but the spirit of freedom everywhere proved too strong to admit of religious 
tests in matters of government. State conventions held to ratify the Consti- 
tution all proposed amendments guaranteeing religious freedom. Hence 
followed the first amendment. There are of course certain limitations to 
religious liberty, which have been set by law. In 1882 in the case of the 
Mormons, Congress prohibited polygamy and was sustained by the Supreme 
Court. 

Church Members' Suffrage. In 1631 a law was enacted by the Massa- 
chusetts Assembly, providing that no man should be a freeman of the colony 
unless he became a member of some church. This requirement was 



134 Dictionary of United States History. 

abolished under the charter of 1691. A similar rule prevailed in the New 
Haven colony, 1639-1662. 

Churubusco, Mexico, a small village near the city of Mexico, where, on 
August 20, 1S47, the advance divisions of Taylor's forces, pursuing the 
fugitives of Padierna, encountered Santa Anna's soldiers. The convent of 
San Pablo was the strong point, and against this Twiggs was sent. Worth 
advancing toward the south and Quitman and Pillow co-operating against 
Santa Anna's rear. The hottest fighting took place along the Rio Churu- 
busco, where for some hours the Americans seemed threatened with defeat, 
but rallying they drove the Mexicans before them and carried the river 
dikes with their tetc de pont, the key to Santa xVnna's position. The attack 
was then concentrated upon the convent of San Pablo, Worth, Smith and 
Clarke joining with Twiggs. Worth's guns were directed from an utterly 
unsuspected and unguarded quarter, throwing the garrison into confusion. 
The white flag was immediately raised and the stronghold surrendered. 
Numbers engaged: Americans, 8000; Mexicans, 25,000. 

Cibola, a legendary country' containing seven wonderful Indian cities, 
supposed by explorers of the sixteenth century to be located either in Florida 
or Northern Mexico. The legend originated from the story of the flight of 
a Portuguese archbishop, who during the conquest of Spain by the Arabs 
escaped to the Cape de Verde Islands, and founded seven cities. Numerous, 
and in nearly every instance fatal, expeditions were sent in search of these 
mythical cities. That of Pamfilo de Narvaez, of 1527 to Florida was 
especially disastrous. 

Cider, Hard. (See Log Cabin.) 

Cilley, Jonathan (1802-1838), of Maine, was Speaker of the Maine House 
of Representatives in 1836, was elected to Congress in 1837 as a Democrat 
and served till his death, which was the result of a duel with Congressman 
Graves, of Kentucky. 

Cincinnati, O., was settled in 1788 by persons from New Jersey. The 
village was laid out in 1789 under the name of Losantiville (which see), and 
received its present name in 1790. It was incorporated as a city in 1814. 
The introduction of steamboats on the Ohio had a great influence in extend- 
ing the trade of the city. In September, 1862, martial law was for a brief time 
declared, when an attack by the Confederate troops was expected on the city. 

Cincinnati, Society of the, an organization founded in 1783 by Revolu- 
tionary officers. Membership was first extended mainly to the ofiicers and 
their eldest sons, though a number of French oflUcers were included. The 
principle of hereditary membership aroused popular jealousy. A pamphlet 
was published against it, the Governor of South Carolina denounced it, and 
the Legislatures of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania censured 
it. In 1784 Washington persuaded the order to abandon the hereditary 
feature. The society still exists. 

Cipher Dispatches, certain telegraphic communications regarding the 
Presidential election of 1876, which were delivered by the Western Union 
Telegraph Company to the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, 



Dictionary of United States History. 135 

to aid in the investigations of the election frauds. While in the possession 
of this committee in 1878, some 700 of these dispatches were taken and 
made public, chiefly through the Neiv York Tribune. They were sent by 
friends of Tilden, the Democratic candidate, and purported to arrange for 
the payment of certain moneys to ensure the carrying of South Carolina 
and Florida for Tilden. The latter in an open letter denied all knowledge 
of the dispatches. 

Circuit Courts. The Judiciary Act of 1789 provided for two classes of 
United States courts inferior to the Supreme Court — circuit courts and dis- 
trict courts, but not for circuit judges. The circuit courts, from that time 
to 1869, were held by Justices of the Supreme Court or by district judges. 
In February, 1801, the Federalists, trying to extend the scope of the Federal 
judiciary, provided for sixteen circuit judges; but the Republicans promptly 
repealed this in 1802. Beginning with three, the circuits have increased to 
nine. In 1869 provision was made for special judges for the circuit courts, 
and the New York circuit has since been given an additional one. (See also 
art. Circuit Court of Appeals.) 

Circuit Court of Appeals. By increase of business the U. S. Supreme 
Court had fallen much in arrears with its cases. After many projects had 
been discussed. Congress, in 1891, provided for an additional circuit judge in 
each circuit, and established in each a circuit court of appeals, to consist of 
its circuit and district judges and a Justice of the Supreme Court, the new 
court to have final jurisdiction over appeals from the district and circuit 
courts, except in constitutional, prize and capital cases, and in questions of 
the jurisdiction of these courts. 

Cities. The census of 1790 showed only thirteen cities with more than 
5000 inhabitants and none with more than 45,000. In 1880 there were 494 
exceeding 5000, forty exceeding 40,000 and twenty (in 1890, twenty-eight) 
exceeding 100,000. The percentage of inhabitants of the United States 
living in cities of more than 8000 inhabitants was, in 1790, 3.3; in 1880, 
22.5. Of the ten chief cities of 1890 only four had municipal corporations 
in 1820: New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and New Orleans. 

Citronella, Ala. Here, April 8, 1865, the Federals under Canby defeated 
Dick Taylor, who commanded a strong force of Confederates. This occurred 
after the evacuation of Mobile by Maury, May 8, on the news of Johnston's 
capitulation. Taylor surrendered all the Confederate forces east of the 
Mississippi to Canby at Citronella. 

Civil Rights Act, an act passed by Congress over President Johnson's 
veto April 9, 1866, aiming to place the negro on the same civil footing as 
the whites. Its principal section provided that all persons born in the 
United States, and not subjected to any foreign power, excluding Indians 
not taxed, were to be recognized as citizens of the United States. The 
violation of this act was made a misdemeanor to be considered by the Federal 
courts alone. The President was given power to enforce the act by special 
or military force. The controversy over the constitutionality of the act led 
to the framing of the Fourteenth Amendment, passed June 13, 1866. After 



136 Dictionary of United States History. 

this, a more stringent act to secure the civil rights of the negro was passed 
in 1875. But the Supreme Court in 1883 declared its most important 
sections unconstitutional. 

Civil Rights Cases, being those of United States vs. Stanley, United States 
vs. Ryan, United States vs. Nichols, United States vs. Singleton and Robin- 
son and Wife vs. Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company. They were 
brought before the Supreme Court of the United States, 1S83, on certificates 
of division from the circuit courts respectively of Kansas, California, Mis- 
souri, New York and Tennessee. The cases against Stanley and Nichols 
were on indictments for denying to certain persons the privileges of a hotel, 
against Ryan and Singleton for denying the privileges of a theatre. Robin- 
son sued the railroad company for refusing his wife, a colored woman, the 
privileges of the ladies' car. In this latter case and that of Ryan, in which 
a colored person was plaintiff, judgment was confirmed for the plaintiff, in 
consideration of the violation of sections one and two of the Fourteenth 
Amendment to the Constitution. In the other case judgment was found for 
the defendants, certain sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1875 being 
deemed unconstitutional and void. 

Civil Service Commission, a commission created under the civil service 
law prepared by Senator Pendleton, of Ohio, and approved January' 16, 1S83. 
The commission was to consist of three j^rsons, at an annual salary of 
$3500, appointed by the President, to regulate and supervise the examination 
of candidates for civil service offices, and to report on all matters touching 
the civil service system. An earlier commission had existed from 1871 to 
1873- 

Civil Service Reform. The evils of the "spoils system" had long been 
felt, when in 1865, Mr. Thomas A. Jenckes, of Rhode Island, introduced into 
the House his first bill to reform the civil service. It was defeated several 
times. In 1871 an act was passed giving the President authority to prescribe 
rules for admission into the civil service. A civil service commission was 
appointed, with George William Curtis at its head, and began the work of 
introducing tests of fitness in the place of political influence. But in 1873 
Congress discontinued its appropriation for the commission, and in 1874 
President Grant abandoned the system. In 1883 the Pendleton Act, so 
called from Senator Pendleton, of Ohio, was passed. It provided for a civil 
service commission of three, representing both parties, which should provide 
competitive examinations for entrance into such classes of the civil service 
as the President should designate. The President (Arthur) applied the 
system at once to the departments at Washington, and to all custom-houses 
and post-offices where more than fifty clerks were employed. It has since 
been extended to the railway mail service and to the Indian service, etc., 
and now includes some thirty or more thousand employes in its scope. 

Civil War. Sectional differences had prevailed from the beginning of the 
existence of the Union. After the time of the ^Missouri Compromise of 1820, 
their main* basis was the economic and social divergence between North and 
South caused by the existence of slavery'. This caused frequent tendencies 
to disruption, which increased after 1850. Disunion sentiment was brought 



Dictionary of United States History. 137 

to a head by the election of L,incohi in i860. Secessions of the Southern 
States immediately followed. In February', 1861, the seceding States, in 
provisional Congress at Montgoinerv', formed the Confederate States of 
America. Alost persons, North and South, at first expected peaceable separ- 
ation. Buchanan temporized. Lincoln could not be clear of his course at 
first. But the firing on Fort Sumter precipitated conflict. President Lincoln 
called for troops to enforce the authority of the Union, and the border States 
seceded. The eleven seceding States had a population of 9,000,000, of whom 
3,500,000 were slaves; the remaining States had a population of 22,000,000. 
The North was rich and of varied industrial life, the South poor and almost 
entirely agricultural. The North was less united than the South, and of a 
less military spirit. Unscientific as was the financial management on both 
sides, that of the National Government was, from the nature of the case, more 
successful. Extraordinary' taxes were levied and enormous loans raised. 
Supplies of men were obtained for both armies by conscription. Toward the 
close of the war the North had a million men in her military and naval ser- 
vice, the South 450,000. Though Confederate cruisers did great damage to 
American commerce, the naval operations of the war were mostly not oceanic, 
but confined to the assistance of land forces by expeditions on the Atlantic 
coast, in the Gulf and on the rivers, and to the maintenance of the blockade 
of Southern ports. In the first year of the war the leading land operations 
of the war were those in attack and defense of Washington, the chief 
battle being that of Bull Run. In 1862, in the West, Buell, Pope and Grant 
cleared the upper Mississippi, the lower Cumberland and Tennessee, with 
battles at Shiloh and Corinth, while Farragut took New Orleans. In the 
East, Lee defeated IMcClellan in the Peninsular campaign, and Pope and 
McClellan at Manassas, fought McClellan at Antietam, and defeated Burnside 
at Fredericksburg. In 1863 Lee, having defeated Hooker at Chancellorsville, 
invaded Pennsylvania, where he was defeated at Gettysburg, the most impor- 
tant decisive battle of the war. Meantime Grant had taken Vicksburgand 
opened the Mississippi, and the western armies were concentrated upon the 
struggle for the possession of the central highlands which commanded the 
heart of the Confederate territory. Here Rosecrans had defeated Bragg at 
Murfreesboro', but had been defeated at Chickamauga. Grant took his place. 
Grant and Sherman were henceforth the leading figures of the war, on the 
Federal side. In 1864 Grant, in a series of severe battles, forced Lee back 
upon Richmond and began the siege of Petersburg, while Sherman, starting 
from the central highlands, forced back Johnston and Hood and effected his 
famous and destructive "march to the sea" through Georgia. Sherman then 
marched northward toward Grant, who had finally succeeded in reducing Lee 
to extremities. April 9, 1865, Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox. John- 
ston surrendered, and the war ended, having cost the nation the lives of 
probably 300,000 men, and money losses of perhaps $8,000,000,000. The 
great results, which justified all these efforts, were the destruction of slavery 
and of that extreme States-rights view of the Constitution which permitted 
secession. In many respects the most gigantic conflict of modern times, the 
war had ended in the triumph of the national idea and the consolidation of 
the Union. That the great armies returned to civil life so quietly and with 
so little difficulty was not the least of its marvels. Histories by Draper and 



138 Dictionary of United States History. 

the Count of Paris, and the Century Company's " Battles and Leaders of the 
Civil War; " Greeley, Pollard and Stephens. 

Claflin, Horace B. (1811-1885), of New York, merchant. From 1865 to 
the time of his death the sales of his firm (H. B. Claflin &; Co.) exceeded 
those of any other in the world. 

Claiborne, Ferdinand L. (1772-1815), of Mississippi, soldier, as briga- 
dier-general of United States volunteers, commanded in the engagement 
with the Creeks, at the Holy Ground, in 1813. In 1815 he became a legis- 
lative councillor of Mississippi. 

Claiborne or Clayborne, William (1589-1676), of Virginia and Marj'land, 
colonizer. In 1631, under a license from Charles I., he established a trading 
post on Kent Island in Chesapeake Bay. His claim to this involved Virginia 
and Maryland, as well as himself, in fierce disputes. Lord Baltimore 
expelled him in 1635, but in 1645 ^e, in co-operation with Captain Richard 
Ingle, overthrew the Roman Catholic government. In the following year 
Calvert was reinstated, but in 1651 Claiborne, as a commissioner of Parlia- 
ment, reduced Virginia and Maryland to submission. 

Clarendon, Edward Hyde, Earl of (1609-1674), Lord Chancellor of 
England, was one of the proprietors of Carolina. He was one of a special 
committee to settle the government of New England in 1660. He sought 
to weaken Massachusetts and prevent the united action of New England. 

Clarendon, Colony of, a colony established in what is now North Carolina 
by a party of adventurers from Barbadoes in 1664. They purchased lands 
from the Indians, and in 1665 obtained grants from the lords proprietors. 
John Yeamans, of Barbadoes, was knighted and made governor over territory 
extending as far south as Florida. 

Clark, Abraham (1726-1794), of New Jersey, signer of the Declaration of 
Independence, at the beginning of the Revolution was an active member of 
the New Jersey Committee of Safety, was a member of the Continental 
Congress from June, 1776, to 1783, except in 1779, and also in 1787 and 1788; 
was a member of the New Jersey Legislature from 1782 to 1787 and of the 
U. S. Congress from 1791 till his death. He was chosen to the Constitutional 
Convention of 1787, but did not attend. 

Clark, Alvan G., born in 1832, of Massachusetts, astronomer arid optician, 
made the 36-inch refractor, the largest in the world, for the Lick Observa- 
tory, and discovered the companion to Sirius. His firm has attained great 
fame in the manufacture of lenses for telescopes. 

Clark, George Rogers (1752-1818), soldier, went from Virginia to Ken- 
tucky in 1775, where he became the leader against the hostile Indians and 
British, and did more than any other to secure the Northwest to the 
Republic. Among his more important enterprises were the defence of Har- 
rodsburg, the capture of Kaskaskia and Vincennes by a famous expedition 
in 1778, the relief of Cahokia, the invasion of the Shawnee countr>' and the 
defeat of the Miainis. 



Dictionary of United States History. 139 

Clark, William (1770-183S), of Missouri, soldier. In 1804, by appoint- 
ment of Jefferson, he joined Captain Meriwether Lewis in the famous expe- 
dition to the mouth of the Columbia River; was Governor of Missouri Ter- 
ritory from 1813 to 1821 and, from 1822 till his death, superintendent of 
Indian affairs at St. lyouis. 

Clarke, James Freeman (1810-1888), of Massachusetts, clergyman and 
author. In 1841 he foiuided in Boston the (Unitarian) Church of the Dis- 
ciples, of which he was pastor for forty-five years. He was prominent in 
the anti-slavery cause. 

Clarke, John (1609-1676), a physician, came to Rhode Island and settled 
Aquidneck in 1638. In 1663 he obtained from Charles II. a charter guar- 
anteeing religious liberty to the colonists. He was Deputy Governor in 1669 
and 1671. 

Clay, Cassius M., born in 1810, of Kentucky, politician. In 1832 he 
became an earnest Abolitionist. In 1845 he established the True American, 
an anti-slavery paper, at Lexington, Ky., and was obliged to fortify the pub- 
lication ofRce against violence. He was a captain in the Mexican War. He 
supported General Taylor for the Presidency in 1848, Fremont in 1856, and 
Lincoln in i860. He was sent as Minister to Russia in 1861, and again in 
1863. 

Clay, Clement C. (1819-1882), of Alabama, was U. S. Senator from 1853 
till his State seceded in February, 1861. He was a strong supporter of the 
doctrines of Calhoun. 

Clay, Henry (April 12, 1777-June 29, 1852), statesman, orator and political 
leader, was born in the " Slashes," Va. He studied law, and at the age of 
twenty removed to Kentucky. Having served in the Legislature, he was at 
a very early age elected to the U. S. Senate, and represented Kentucky at 
Washington from 1806 to 1807. He was soon attached to the cause of internal 
improvements, with which his name became identified. In rapid succession 
came his term as Speaker of the Kentucky Assembly, as U. S. Senator again 
1809-11 and as member of the House, which he entered in 1811. Although 
a newcomer, he was immediatelj' chosen Speaker, and served until his 
resignation in 1814. He was a leader of the war party which forced 
Madison into the contest with Great Britain. His life in Congress was inter- 
rupted in 1 814, as he had been chosen one of the envoys to treat for the 
peace finally negotiated at Ghent in December, 1814. In 1815 he was 
again in the House and served continuously as its Speaker until 1821. During 
this period he was a powerful advocate of the Spanish-American States in 
insurrection, and was instrumental in effecting the Missouri Compromise 
(which see). After a brief absence from Congress he was again Speaker of 
the House in 1823-25. He was in 1824 a candidate for the Presidency, and 
received thirty-seven electoral votes. In the exciting contest in the House 
of Representatives Adams was finally chosen President, and his appointment 
of Clay as Secretary of State caused not unnaturally the groundless charge 
of a " bargain " between the two. (See Adams, J. Q.) Clay had ardently 
supported the tariff of 1824, ^'^^ denominated the protective the "American 



140 Dictionary of United States History. 

System." While he was Secretary the principal diplomatic matter which 
arose was the Panama Congress. He retired from office in 1829, but in 1831 
he entered the Senate from Kentucky. For twenty years he was the natural 
leader of the great party known first as the National Republican, but soon 
as the Whig. He was nominated as its candidate for President in December, 
1831, but was overwhelmingly defeated by Jackson. He was active in the 
bank controversy and other questions of the time, and brought about the 
tariff compromise of 1833, and the settlement with France in 1835. In 
1840 he failed to receive the Whig nomination, and in 1843 he retired from 
the Senate. The Whig National Convention of 1844 nominated him by 
acclamation, but Clay's trimming " Alabama Letter " turned the scale in 
favor of Polk. He re-entered the Senate in 1849, ^^^ took the foremost 
part in the great compromise bill of 1850. Although by far the most 
popular man in the party, he never again received the nomination for Presi- 
dent. In comparison with his great colleagues he shone chiefly as a brilliant 
debater, " magnetic " platform orator and contriver of compromise measures, 
intended to preserve the Union. There is an excellent biography by Carl 
Schurz (two volumes). 

Clayton, John M. (1796-1856), of Delaware, of which he was Chief 
Justice from 1837 to 1840, was U. S. Senator from 1829 to 1835, from 1S45 
to 1849, and from 1851 till his death. In 1849 he became Secretary of State 
under President Taylor, in which office he was continued by President Fill- 
more till July, 1850. As such he negotiated the celebrated Clayton-Bulwer 
treaty with Great Britain. 

Clayton, Powell, was born in Pennsylvania in 1833. In 1861 he entered 
the Union army and became brigadier-general in 1864. After the war he 
became Governor of Arkansas, and represented it in the U. S. Senate from 
1871 to 1877. 

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, a treaty concluded between Great Britain and 
the United States in 1850, the negotiators being Secretary John M. Clayton 
and Sir Henry Bulwer. It related to establishing communication between 
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by means of a ship canal across Nicaragua. 
It forbade the exclusive control of communication by either party. Contra- 
dictory constructions have since been placed upon this treaty, and the claims 
are as yet unadjusted. 

Clearing House. The system was first introduced into the United States by 
the banks of the city of New York in 1 853. During the Civil War the clearing 
houses proved of the greatest value to the Government in establishing credit 
and securing loans. The panics of 1873 and of May, 1S84, were checked 
only through the same instrumentality, which similarly operated in 1893. 

Cleaveland, Moses (1754-1806), of Connecticut, pioneer, was a promoter 
of the purchase from Connecticut of the so-called Western Reserve, and 
was the founder of the city of Cleveland. 

Cleburne, Patrick R. (1828-1864), a descendant of William Claiborne 
(q. v.); came to the United States and joined the Confederates in the Civil 
War. He commanded a corps at Franklin when he was killed. 



Dictionary of United States History. 141 

Cleveland, Frances (Folsom), was born in Buffalo, N. Y., m 1864, and was 
married to President Cleveland June 2, 1886. Except Mrs. Madison she is 
the youngest person who has been mistress of the White House. She has 
performed the duties and dispensed the courtesies and hospitalities of her 
high position with rare tact, sweetness and grace. 

Cleveland, Grover, the twenty-second President of the United States, was 
born at Caldwell, N. J., in 1837. He received a fair education, studied law, 
and entered upon its practice at Buffalo. He served as sheriff, but his great 
opportunity did not come until 1881, when a reform movement made him 
the mayor of Buffalo. His efficient administration attracted favorable notice, 
and in the summer of 1882 he received the Democratic nomination for Gov- 
ernor of New York. Republican demoralization contributed to his election 
by the enormous majority of 192,000. The prestige of this achievement 
was followed by such a conduct of State affairs that he received in 1884 the 
Democratic nomination for President. The election turned on the result in 
the State of New York, wliere Cleveland received about 1000 majority over 
Blaine. The new President became known as a supporter of civil service 
reform, hard money, and especially of tariff reform, which he advocated in 
his celebrated message to Congress in December, 1887. He was again the 
party candidate in 1888, but was defeated by the Republican, Harrison, in a 
campaign which had the tariff as its leading feature. After retiring from 
office in 1889 he resumed the practice of law, and settled in New York City. 
As the new election approached, his candidacy was again suggested, and he 
received in 1892 for the third time the party nomination. His former com- 
petitor was again in the field, and was this time decisively beaten. President 
Cleveland commenced his second term in March, 1893, and the chief features 
of his administration so far have been the repeal of the Silver Purchase Act, 
or Sherman Act, the introduction of a bill for the reduction of the tariff, and 
the Hawaiian imbroglio. 

Cleveland, Rose E., was born in Fayetteville, N. Y., in 1846, youngest 
sister of President Cleveland, teacher and author. She was mistress of the 
White House in 1885 and 1886. 

Cleveland, O., was founded in 1796. It was an important point in the 
War of 1 81 2, and was incorporated as a city in 1836. 

Clifford, Nathan (1803-1881), of Maine, jurist, was Speaker of the Maine 
House of Representatives in 1833 and 1834; Attorney-General of Maine from 
1834 to 1838, and member of Congress from 1839 to 1843. From 1846 to 
1848 he was Attorney-General in President Polk's Cabinet. In 1858 he was 
appointed by President Buchanan a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. 
In 1877 he was president of the Electoral Commission. 

Clinton, De Witt (1769-1828), was a nephew of George Clinton, and after 
graduating at Columbia he acted as secretary to his uncle. He was a Repub- 
lican member of the New York Legislature and entered the U. S. Senate in 
1802, but left that body soon to become mayor of New York Citj-. In this 
office he served until 1807, and again in 1809-10 and 1811-15. He was 



142 Dictionary of United States History. 

also State Senator, Lieutenant-Governor and a member of the council of 
appointment. In 181 2, he was the candidate of the Federalists and .of the 
New York Democrats for President, receiving eight>'-nine electoral votes. 
Clinton was ardently devoted to the policy of internal improvements, and 
especially to the development of the Erie and Champlain canals. In 1817-23 
and 1825-28 he was Governor of New York. 

Clinton, George (1739-1812), Vice-President of the United States, was a 
soldier in the French and Indian War and a member of the New York 
Assembly; in the first part of the Revolution he was for a short time mem- 
ber of the Continental Congress, and then served in the field. As a brigadier- 
general he defended unsuccessfully the Highland forts against the British in 
1777. For the long period of 1777-95 he was Governor of the State, and 
threw his great influence against the ratification of the Federal Constitution. 
Thereafter he was an Anti-Federalist and Republican leader. He received a 
few votes for Vice-President in 1789, fifty votes for Vice-President in 1792 
and several in 1796. He was again Governor in 1801-04, and was elected 
Vice-President in 1804, serving as such, under Jefferson and Madison, until 
his death. In 1811 he gave the casting vote against the U. S. Bank. 

Clinton, Sir Henry (1738— 1795), British soldier, came to Boston as major- 
general in 1775 with Howe and Burgoyne. In 1778 he was appointed 
commander-in-chief of the British forces. He evacuated Philadelphia in 
June and on his retreat thence to New York fought with Washington the 
indecisive battle of Monmouth. In May, 1778, he captured Charleston and 
the whole arm)' under Lincoln. During the following summer he planned 
with Arnold the treasonable surrender of West Point. He failed to relieve 
Cornwallis in October, 1781, and returned to England in 1782. 

Clinton, James (1736-1812), of New York, soldier, during the French 
and Indian War captured a French sloop-of-war on Lake Ontario. As 
colonel of a New York regiment he was with Montgoiner>' at Quebec in 
1775. As brigadier-general he commanded at Fort Clinton when it was 
taken by the British in 1777, and was present at Yorktown. He was a 
member of the New York convention that adopted the Federal Constitution. 

Clinton Bridge Case, an important litigation in the United States 
Supreme Court, 1870, which established the doctrine by which railroad 
bridges may be said to have gained clear recognition of their rights of way 
in preference to the navigable waters crossed by them, through the power of 
Congress to regulate interstate commerce. 

Clymer, George (1739-1813), of Pennsylvania, signer of the Declaration 
(although not present at its adoption). In 1775 he became continental 
treasurer, and was a member of Congress in 1776, 1777 and 1780. In 1778 
he, with John Nixon, organized the Bank of North America. He was a 
member of the convention that framed the Federal Constitution, and elected 
to the first Congress held under- its provisions. 

Coal. The first organized effort to mine anthracite coal was in 1793 on 
the Mammoth bed at Summit Hill, near Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, but 
regular shipments did not begin until 1820. It was not until 1825 that it 



Dictionary of United States History. 143 

was in general use for the generation of steam, and not until 1839 that it 
was employed as an exclusive fuel in the manufacture of pig iron. The 
industry- in bituminous coal and coke was begun in Connellsville, Pa., in 
1 84 1, by McConnick and Campbell. Regular manufacture commenced in 
that district in 1861. The coal-mining industry is now more or less pro.s- 
perous in a very large number of the States and Territories, though Penn- 
sylvania still holds the lead. The most recent extensive developments have 
been made in West Virginia. The total output of anthracite for 1889 
exceeded 33,000,000 tons; the annual output of coke is also enormous. 

Coast and Geodetic Survey. The establishment of this important bureau 
was first contemplated in 1807. President Jefferson suggested it in his 
message to Congress of that year. Congress appropriated $50,000 for the 
survey. Nothing practical was accomplished until 181 1. Then F. R. 
Hassler, an Englishman, was made chief of the survey and commenced 
operations near New York. Since then its work has progressed constantly, 
under Alexander Dallas Bache and other eminent engineers and organizers. 
It has been a bureau of the Treasury Department. 

. Cobb, Howell (1815-1868), of Georgia, statesman, entered Congress as 
a Democrat in 1843, and ser\'ed till 1853 and again 1855; was elected 
Speaker in 1849; was a warm defender of the Union, but also a strong advo- 
cate of State rights and of the compromise measures of 1850; was elected 
Governor of Georgia by the Union party in 1851. In 1857 he became 
President Buchanan's Secretary' of the Treasury. In i860 he urged forward 
the secession movement, and was a delegate to the provisional Congress 
which adopted the Confederate Constitution. 

Cobbett, William (i 762-1835), British journalist and pamphleteer, came 
to Philadelphia in 1792, wrote in aid of the Federalists a series of powerful 
pamphlets under the name of " Peter Porcupine," and returned to London 
in 1800. 

Cochrane, Sir Alexander F. I. (1758-1832), British admiral, commanded 
the British North American fleet in 1812, assisted in the capture of Wash- 
ington in 1 814, and in the attack on New Orleans. 

Cockburn, Sir George (1772-1853), British admiral. In 181 3 expeditions 
from his squadron ravaged the coasts of the United States from Delaware to 
Georgia. In 1814 under Admiral Cochrane and in conjunction with General 
Ross he captured Washington, burning the Capitol and other public build- 
ings, and unsuccessfully attempted to take Baltimore. In 1815 he conveyed 
Napoleon to St. Helena. 

Cockrell, Francis M., born in 1834, of Missouri, Senator, entered the 
Confederate army, in which he rose to the rank of brigadier-general. He 
became U. S. Senator in 1875, in which position he still (1897) continues. 

Cod, Cape, discovered and named May 15, 1602, by Bartholomew Gosnold. 

Coddington, William (1601— 1678), came to Salem, Mass., in 1630. In 
1638 with John Clarke he founded the colony of Rhode Island at Aquidneck 
and was its first Governor. 



144 Dictionary of United States History. 

Cody, William F., born in 1845, of Kansas, served with distinction as a 
scout through the Civil War and afterward in several expeditions; widely 
known as " Buifalo Bill." 

Cceur d'Alene, an Indian tribe in Idaho and Washington territories. In 
1858 a part of the tribe joined in an attack on Colonel Steptoe. They were 
subsequently defeated by C(51onel Wright and became peaceful. In 1867 a 
reservation was set apart for those in Idaho, and in 1872 a band in Paradise 
Valley was removed to land between the Okinokane and Columbia rivers. 

Coffee, John (1772-1834), of Tennessee, soldier. In the War of 1812 
he became brigadier-general, fought and won the battle of Tallushatchie and 
commanded Jackson's left wing at New Orleans. 

Coffin, Charles Carleton, born in 1823, of Massachusetts, under the name 
of " Carleton " was war correspondent of the Boston Journal during the whole 
of the Civil War and the Prusso-Austrian War of 1866. Died 1896. 

Cogswell, Joseph G. (1786-1871), of Massachusetts, was appointed librarian 
of Harvard College in 1820. In 1823, in conjunction with George Bancroft, 
he founded the Round Hill School at Northampton. Afterward he was for 
many years (till i860) librarian of the Astor Library. 

Cohens vs. Virginia, an important case before the U. S. Supreme Court, 
decided in 1821. In 1820, P.J. and M. J. Cohen were presented before the 
Quarter Sessions Court at Norfolk for selling lottery tickets in defiance of 
the statute of the State prohibiting such sales. The Cohens appealed to the 
Supreme Court of the United States against the fine imposed by the Vir- 
ginia court, pleading the legality of their sale under the "Act to amend 
the charter of the city of Washington," passed by Congress 1812, which per- 
mitted the drawing of lotteries. The attorney for Virginia denied the juris- 
diction of the court, because a State was defendant (see Eleventh Amendment) 
and because in cases in which States were parties its jurisdiction was original 
and not appellate. But the court decided that the Eleventh Amendment did 
not apply, and that in constitutional cases it had always appellate jurisdiction. 

Coinage Laws. By the law of April 2, 1792, any person could have gold 
or silver coined at the mint into lawful money, receiving therefor coins of 
the same species of bullion, weight for weight of the pure metal contained 
therein. The standard for gold was eleven parts pure to one alloy; for silver, 
1485 parts pure to 179 alloy. The ratio of gold to silver was fifteen to one, 
and both coins were legal tender. By the law of March 3, 1795, the Treas- 
urer retained twenty-four cents per ounce for silver below the standard, 
four cents for gold. By the law of April 21, 1800, there was retained for 
deposits of gold and silver below the standard a sutn sufl^cient for the expense 
of refinement. By the law of May 8, 1828, a sum was retained from silver 
bullion requiring the test, for materials and wastage. By the law of June 
28, 1834, a deduction of one-half per cent was to be made from all standard 
gold and silver deposited for coinage, if paid for in coin within five da}-s from 
deposit. By the law of January 18, 1S37, the standard gold and silver coin 
was made nine-tenths pure, one-tenth alloy and legal tender for any sum. 
By the law of February 21, 1853, the weight of the half dollar was reduced 



Dictionary of United States History. 145 

from 206^ to 192 grains and lesser silver coins in the same proportion; 
legal tender to five dollars. No private deposits for coinage in these coins 
were received and charges of one-half per cent were made for refining. By 
the law of February 12, 1873, the weight of the trade dollar was to be 420 
grains, of the half dollar 193 grains; legal tender to five dollars. Silver bull- 
ion could be deposited for coinage into trade dollars only; gold for coinage 
for the benefit of the depositor. The directors of the mint were to buy sil- 
ver for coins less than one dollar. One-fifth of one per cent was charged for 
converting standard gold bullion into coin, and silver into trade dollars. 
Silver coins, except trade dollars, were to be exchanged at par for gold coins 
in sums not exceeding $100. The charges on gold were removed in 1875. 
By the law of July 22, 1877, the trade dollar ceased to be a legal tender. 
By the law of February 28, 1878, silver dollars of 4121^ grains were made 
legal tender for all debt, and the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized 
to purchase at market value, and coin not less than $2,000,000 worth of sil- 
ver bullion per month and not more than $4,000,000 worth per month. By 
the law of June 9, 1879, silver coins less than one dollar were made legal 
tender to ten dollars. By the law of July 14, 1890, that of 1878 was repealed 
and the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to purchase 4,500,000 
ounces of silver bullion per month, issuing in payment United States notes, 
to be a legal tender; and to make a sufiicient monthly coinage for the 
redemption of these notes. In 1893 the silver-purchase clauses of tins act 
were repealed. 

Cold Harbor, Va., battles between the Federals and Confederates under 
Grant and Lee, fought irregularly during twelve days, June 1-12, 1864, while 
Grant was attempting his famous campaign against Richmond. Lee held 
the vicinity of Cold Harbor with about 100,000 men, having thrown up 
hasty fortifications. Grant had 120,000 troops. Sheridan advanced to Cold 
Harbor on the thirt>'-first of May. June i the Sixth Corps and Smith's 
troops began the attack by endeavoring to take the Confederate fortifications. 
The assault was inefiectual, the Federals being repulsed with heavy loss. 
June 2 rain prevented battle, so the day was passed on both sides in 
arranging the lines. June 3 Lee's position had been immensely strengthened 
by slashes and rifle trenches. Sheridan's cavalry guarded the crossing of 
the Chickahominy, and Wilson watched the Confederates' right. Earh- in 
the morning the Federals advanced upon the Confederate intrenchments. 
Hancock's corps forced the enemy from their front, and with Wright, Smith 
and Warren made vigorous assaults upon the impregnable earthworks. 
Burnside failed to come to their aid. Several regiments, however, mounted 
the parapets and placed their banners upon them. Many of the bravest 
Federal ofiicers lost their lives. The last assault lasted half an hour, 
and then the Federals retired. For ten days the armies lay idle, their 
sharpshooters picking off many men. Federal loss, 10,000; Confederate, 
8000. 

Colden, Cadwallader (1688-1776), of New York, was the first surveyor- 
general of New York, was an ardent royalist, was president of the council 
in 1760 and Lieutenant-Governor in 1761, took an active part in founding 



146 Dictionary of United States History. 

the American Philosophical Society, and was a correspondent of the promi- 
nent scientific men of his time, including Linnaeus and Franklin. 

Cole, Thomas (1801-1848), of New York, landscape painter. Among his 
most popular works are the "Voyage of Life," "The Course of Empire," 
" The White Mountains," and the " Dream of Arcadia." 

Coleman, William T. (1824-1893), of California, pioneer, was an active 
member of the "Vigilance Committee" of 1851, and chairman of the 
executive department of that of 1856. 

Colfax, Schuyler (1823-1885), of Indiana, Vice-President. In 1844 he 
made campaign speeches for Clay. In 1845 he established the SL Joseph 
Valley Register^ which became a very influential Whig journal. He was 
secretary of the national Whig conventions of 1848 and 1852, and was in Con- 
gress as a Republican from 1855 to 1869. He was Speaker of the House 
from 1863 to 1869, and Vice-President from 1869 to 1873, but failed to obtain 
a renomination for the next term. He was charged, probably unjustly, with 
complicity in the " Credit Mobilier " scandal of 1873. 

Colgate University (formerly Madison University), Hamilton, N. Y., was 
founded in 1820 and chartered 1846 by Baptists. Its theological school was 
founded in 1 819. In 1889 its name was changed to Colgate, in honor of a 
benefactor. 

Collamer, Jacob (1791-1865), of Vermont, was a Representative in the 
Vermont Assembly in 1821 and 1827. From 1833 to 1842 and from 1850 
to 1854 he was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont, a member of 
Congress from 1843 ^ 1849, ^^^ Postmaster-General from 1849 ^^ 1850- 
From 1854 until his death he was a U. S. Senator. 

Colleges. In spite of the vote of the Virginia Company in 1619 to estab- 
lish a college there, the first college established in the United States was 
Harvard (1636). The second was the College of William and Mary (1693), 
the third Yale (1701). Other colleges established before 1789 were the fol- 
lowing: the College of New Jersey (Princeton), opened in 1746, the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania in 1753, King's College (now Columbia) in 1754, 
Rhode Island College (now Brown University) in 1765, Dartmouth in 1770, 
Rutgers in 1770, Dickinson in 1783, the College of Charleston in 1785. 
The colleges will be found treated under their several names. 

Colleton, James, of Barbadoes, was appointed Governor of South Caro- 
lina in 1686. His authority was resisted by the Legislature which, after the 
English revolution, impeached, disfranchised and banished him (1690). 

Collyer, Robert, bom in 1823, clergyman, came to the United States in 
1850. In 1859 he became a Unitarian, and in 1879 pastor of the Church 
of the Messiah in New York City. 

Colombia. The independence of Colombia was recognized by the United 
States in March, 1822. A commercial treaty was concluded between the 
United States and the undivided republic of Colombia October 3, 1824. ^^^ 
1831 the republic was divided into New Granada, Venezuela and Ecuador. 
New Granada concluded a commercial treaty with the United States in 1846. 




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Dictionary of United States History. 147 

By this treaty the United States guaranteed the neutrality of the Isthmus of 
Panama in compensation for specified commercial advantages, and on these 
grounds the United States has claimed the right to be heard in Panama Canal 
affairs. A consular convention was concluded in 1850, and claims conven- 
tions favorable to the United States in 1857 and 1861. 

Colonial System. Until the close of the last century, it was the invariable 
practice of European States to manage their colonies with a view almost 
solely to the benefit of the mother country. Spain, Portugal, France, the 
Netherlands and England, though they differed otherwise in their colonial 
systems, agreed in this. Yet on the whole the disregard of colonial interests 
which the English Government manifested was less extreme than that of 
other governments. Adam Smith, by his " Wealth of Nations," published 
in 1776, taught governments the expediency of a more liberal system. 

Colonization Society, The National. An organization formed in 1816, at 
Princeton, N. J., and immediately reorganized at Washington, its principal 
object being to encourage the emancipation of slaves by obtaining for them 
a place without the United States to which they might emigrate. The scheme 
was also intended to relieve the South of the free black population with which 
it was burdened. Branches of the society were soon established in almost 
every State. Free negroes were first sent to Sierra Leone, later for a short 
time to Sherbrooke Island, and finally in 1821 a permanent location was pur- 
chased at Cape Mesurado. In 1847 this colony declared itself an independent 
republic under the name of Liberia. The society engaged the attention of 
many anti-slavery advocates until the rise of the Abolition party in 1831. 

Colorado, a State of the Union, was named from the river of that name. 
It was formed in part from the Louisiana purchase, and in part from the 
Mexican cession. The early Spanish gold-hunters visited Colorado, and in 
1806 Major Pike led a Government expedition into the region. In 1843 
Fremont explored the northern part. The discovery of gold in 1858 attracted 
immigration. Two acts for the admission of Colorado as a State were vetoed by 
President Johnson in 1866 and 1867. August i, 1876, the President announced 
the admission of Colorado. Down to 1892 the State was Republican. In 
that year the electoral votes were cast for Weaver, the Fusion candidate. 
The population of the State in 1880 was 199,327; in 1890 it was 412,198. 

Colquitt, Alfred H. (1824-1894), of Georgia, Senator, served as major- 
general in the Confederate army. He was Governor from 1877 to 1883, 
after which he was U. S. Senator until his death. 

Colt, Samuel (1814-1862), of Connecticut, inventor. In 1829, while a 
runaway sailor-boy, he made a model in wood of his celebrated revolver. 
In 1852 he built immense armories at Hartford for their manufacture. 

Columbia, S. C, became the capital of the State in 1790 under an act of 
the Legislature which provided for the founding of the city. It was taken 
by the Federal forces under General Sherman, February 17, 1865. On the 
evacuation of the city by General Wade Hampton a large quantity of cotton 
was fired either by accident or design, and caused immense damage. 

Columbia, District of. (See District of Columbia.) 



148 Dictionary of United States History. 

Columbia College, New York City. Originally called King's College and 
chartered 1754. During the Revolution studies were suspended and its 
building made into a military hospital. In 1784 the college was reorganized 
and resumed work under the new name. In 1891 the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons became a part of the college. In 1S58 a law department was 
established and in 1864 a school of mines with eight distinct courses of 
study. In 1880 and 1S90 the facilities in graduate work were largely 
increased. 

Columbia River was discovered by the Spaniard Heceta in 1775 and called 
St. Roque. Afterward, in 1792, Captain Gray, of Boston, explored the 
stream and changed the name to Columbia. In 1805-06 Lewis and Clarke, 
under orders from President Jefferson, explored the Columbia River and 
opened up the northwest region. Questions concerning the discovery of the 
region had an important part in the discussion of the Oregon question. 

Columbian Institute, founded at Washington in 1819, by Joel Barlow, 
sometime American Minister at Paris. Barlow was aided by Josiah Meigs, 
Thomas Law, Edward Cutbush, Judge Cranch and others, citizens of Wash- 
ington. Its purpose was the advancement of knowledge by associations of 
scientific men, and the dissemination of its rudiments by the instruction of 
youth. 

Columbian Order. (See Tammany Society.) 

Columbus, Christopher (about 1436-1506), the discoverer of America, 
was born probably at Genoa in Italy, about 1436. His early life was passed 
at sea, interspersed with work as a maker of maps and charts. About 1470 
he went to Lisbon, and engaged in voyages to Guinea and probably visited 
Iceland. He became acquainted with the map of Toscanelli and the results 
of geographical investigation, and planned the discovery of a short route to 
China, Japan and the Indies. As his project was rejected by the King of 
Portugal, he followed the court of Ferdinand and Isabella, setting forth his 
schemes at Cordova, Salamanca, Malaga and elsewhere, but he failed to 
enlist support until after the fall of Granada in 1492. Having obtained 
authority from the sovereigns and financial aid, he sailed with his fleet of 
three caravels, the "Santa Maria," "Piuta" and " Nina," from Palos on 
August 3, 1492. He held a westerly course, quelled insubordination, and 
reached land in the Bahama group October 12, 1492; the island of the land- 
fall may have been Watling's or Samana Island. He further discovered 
Cuba and Hayti, and arrived home after severe vicissitudes in March, 1493. 
In the following autumn he sailed with a larger expedition, and remained 
in the West Indies mitil 1496. On his third voyage in 1498, he reached the 
mainland at the mouth of the Orinoco, rightly surmising that he had 
found a contnient, though still fancying himself on the eastern coast of 
Asia. Proceeding to the West Indies he was imprisoned by enemies and 
sent in chains to Spain, but was soon released. In his fourth voyage, 1502 
to 1504, he explored the coast of Central America. He survived his patron 
Isabella a short time, dying at Valladolid in Spain, May 20, 1506. There is 
a well-known biography by Irving, and recent lives by Harrisse and Winsor, 
the last being distinctly unfavorable. 



Dictionary of United States History. 149 

Columbus, O., settled in 181 2, became the capital of the State in 1S16. 
It became a city in 1834. 

Comanche Indians, originally a roving tribe, early engaged in disastrous 
wars with the Spanish. They have always been dangerous and troublesome. 
They were at one time on a Texas reservation, but on being expelled became 
bitter enemies of the State. The Government later collected a portion on 
lands in the western part of Indian Territory. A part of these, the Quauhado, 
refused to settle down until defeated by Colonel McKenzie at McClellan's 
Creek in 1872. 

Commerce. From their first foundation, the colonies of New Netherland 
and New England were engaged to an important extent in commerce, while 
the chartered colonizing companies, like the Virginia Company, were largely 
intended for that pursuit. The Navigation Acts of 1646, 1651, 1660 and 
1663 aimed to restrict colonial commerce for the benefit of the mother 
country; and similar restrictions were, beginning in 1673, laid on inter- 
colonial commerce. But all these acts were constantly evaded. The efforts 
finally made to enforce them more strictly were among the chief causes of 
the Revolution. By 1789 the tonnage of American vessels engaged in for- 
eign trade was about 325,000 tons, of that engaged in the coasting trade 
125,000 more, while that of foreign vessels trading with the United States 
was about 250,000, chiefly British. At that time two-thirds of the imports 
were from England, and half the exports went to that country. Trade with 
the East Indies was then just beginning. New England and New York 
were the chief commercial regions at that time. From that date American 
commerce has been too various to summarize. (See Imports, Exports.) 

Commissary. The English church in the colonies was under the nominal 
supervision of the Bishop of London, of whose diocese the colonies formed 
a part. To remedy disorders caused by want of real supervision, commis- 
saries W'Cre appointed by him in Virginia and IMaryland, with limited powers 
of control and supervision over the clerg\' of their respective provinces. 

Commissioner of the Revenue. An office created by Act of Congress 
May 8, 1792, for the management of national finances, abolished April 6, 
1802; re-established July 24, 1813, and again abolished December 23, 1817. 
The duties of the commissioner were similar to those of the Assistant Secre- 
tary of the Treasun-. 

Committees. It is the universal custom of American legislative bodies 
to transact their business through standing committees, each of which is 
charged with a special branch of the business of the body. This is not the 
present English custom, but is nevertheless not an American invention. The 
House of Commons developed the rudiments of such a system in Queen 
Elizabeth's time, and it was in full operation during the Commonwealth. 
During the latter part of the seventeenth and the beginning of the eighteenth 
centuries Virginia, IMaryland, Pennsylvania, New York and North Carolina 
adopted this system from England, with nearly the same names of com- 
mittees as those of the House of Commons (in which this system has since 
become obsolete becau.se of cabinet government). Therefore it was readily 



150 Dictionary of United States History. 

adopted as the mode of transacting business by the Continental Congress, 
though it was not used in the_^L,egislatures of the New England colonies. In 
the Congresses under the Constitution, beginning in 1789, but few commit- 
tees were at first used, but the number gradually increased. By Speaker 
Clay's time the system of standing committees had reached full develop- 
ment. The Senate had followed, a little more slowly. Committees of the 
Senate have always been appointed by the Senate. In the House a similar 
practice was occasionally follov/ed at first, but soon their appointment was 
given to the Speaker, which is the foundation of his power in the U. S. 
Government. 

Committees of Correspondence. Committees of this name had existed 
in some of the colonial Legislatures mucli before the Revolution, c. g., in 
Pennsylvania from 1744 on. Their object was to keep up correspondence 
■with the agents of the colonies in England. But this gave only a name to 
the famous Revolutionary committees. In a Boston town meeting of 
November, 1772, Samuel Adams moved that a "Committee of correspond- 
ence " be appointed to state the rights of the colonists, and correspond with 
the other provinces and towns of New England. Their proceedings were to 
be secret. The system resulted in a union of the colonies, and fostered the 
germs of revolution. About eighty towns in Massachusetts responded 
promptly, and the plan worked admirably. In the Virginia Legislature 
similar committees, but intercolonial, were proposed in March, 1773, by 
Dabney Carr, and were eloquently advocated by Patrick Henry and Richard 
Henry Lee. The resolutions finally adopted were more comprehensive, and 
calculated to form the Confederacy, than those of Massachusetts. 

Committees of Safety. A committee of eleven men was appointed by 
the second provincial Congress of Massachusetts in February, 1775, to resist 
every attempt at executing the acts of Parliament. They were empowered 
to muster the militia and take possession of warlike stores. In April of the 
same year the committee wrote to the various Massachusetts towns, and to 
New Hampshire and Connecticut, begging for aid against the tyranny of 
Parliament. Upon this ensued, as the Revolution advanced, the formation 
of such committees in each province. In each the Committee of Safety, 
appointed by the popular conventions, took the place of the royal Governor 
as the executive of the province or- State, and remained such until the fram- 
ing of the new State Constitutions. The name first appears as the name of 
a committee organized in England during the Civil War of 1642-44. 

Commodore. Until 1862 the grade of captain was the highest naval 
oflice recognized by law. A captain who commanded two or more ships was 
called a commodore by custom, and the title, having been once applied, 
usually continued. In 1862 the grade of commodore, along with that of 
rear-admiral, was created. 

Common Law. The fundamental documents of all the colonies declared 
the colonists entitled to the benefits of the common law of England. But it 
was left to the colonial courts to decide what the common law was, and the 
colonial Legislatures variously modified the law. Under the Constitution the 
strict-constructionist school maintained that there was no common law in 



Dictionary of United States History. 151 

respect to the jurisprudence of the Federal Government, the national school 
maintaining the opposite. 

Commons, the lands cultivated in common by the townspeople under the 
early land system of New England. Common cultivation was at first upon 
a considerable scale, though varying for different towns. The commons 
sometimes included nearly all the improved lands of the town, being laid out 
by a committee of the general court. In other instances they included 
smaller portions, in which, nevertheless, all the people were interested. 
Occasionally authority over such lands was given to the selectmen, or to the 
major body of the freemen. These commons were formed for the sake of 
convenience generally, but sometimes from lack of facility in fencing sepa- 
rately. The bounds of such lands were marked by their particular proprie- 
tors and scrupulously kept up. Generally the " proprietors " were a distinct 
body from the town, and kept separate records. The system was adopted 
from English villages. , 

Commons, House of, the name borne by the lower House of the Legis- 
lature of North Carolina from 1776 to 1868. 

Commonwealth vs. Caton, Virginia. John Caton and others, having been 
convicted of treason by the general court of Virginia and sentenced to 
death, were pardoned in 1782 by the House of Delegates of the State, the 
Senate not concurring. The pardon was not executed, and the attorney- 
general denying its validity, the case was brought before the Court of Appeals 
of Virginia in 1782. There it was decided that this court had jurisdiction 
in such matters, but it was declared that the pardon was not valid without 
the concurrence of the Senate, and that this act of the Legislature was 
unconstitutional. This is the second instance in which a court assumed 
authority to pronounce upon the constitutionality of an act of the Legis- 
lature. 

Compagnie de 1' Occident, or Mississippi Company. A company chartered 
September 6, 1717, which succeeded to the rights granted by Louis XIV. in 
1712, to Anthony Crozat, to trade in all French possessions in America which 
were bounded by New Mexico and by the lands of the English in Carolina. 
In 17 19 it was absorbed by the Compagnie des Indes. 

Compagnie des Indes (Company of the Indies), a corporation organized 
in Paris by John Law in 1719, by combination of the Guinea Company, the 
Company of the West, the East India Company and the China Company. 
It was the basis of his great credit operations, in connection with his bank, 
and of the Mississippi Bubble, but is of importance in American history 
because it for several years owned Louisiana. 

Compromise, Crittenden. (See Crittenden Compromise.) 

Compromise, Missouri. (See Missouri Compromise.) 

Compromise of 1833, a tariff measure passed by Congress March i, 1833, 
as a compromise for the high tariff act of 1828, which had caused intense 
dissatisfaction through the South, and had brought about nullification by 
South Carolina and a threat of secession in the event of its being too 



152 Dictionary of United States History. 

strictly eniorced. The compromise was proposed and passed in the House 
while Clay himself was endeavoring to get a compromise measure through 
the Senate. The bill as passed was in effect practically the same as that 
proposed by Clay in the Senate. It was designed to scale down periodically 
the high duties then existing, until after ten years a free-trade basis should 
be reached. The Verplanck low tariff measure, then under debate in the 
House, was thus thrown out. 

Compromise of 1850. As this compromise between the anti-slavery and 
pro-slavery parties was finally passed, it took the form of several separate 
bills, which had been practically comprehended in Clay's " Omnibus Bill," 
proposed and defeated a short time before. Under the compromise, Texas 
was allowed $10,000,000 for New Mexico, and the boundary of that territory 
was cut down considerably. August 13, California was admitted to the 
Union with her free Constitution. August 15, bills for establishing territorial 
governments in New Mexico and Utah were passed, containing a slavery 
option clause proposed by Senator Soule. August 26, the fugitive slave bill, 
denying arrested negroes a trial by jury, and prohibiting redress to free 
colored seamen imprisoned in Southern ports, was passed. 

Compromises of the Constitution. The Convention of 1787 was mainly 
divided as to whether, in the new governn:ent, one State's influence should 
be equal to that of any other State, or should be based on population. The 
plans for a Constitution submitted by Edmund Randolph, of Virginia, and 
William Paterson, of New Jersey, were diametrically opposed in this respect. 
The former favored representation according to population in both Houses; 
the latter an equal vote for each State and only one House. Johnson, of 
Connecticut, proposed as a compromise, two Houses, an equal representation 
in the Senate and a proportionate one in the House. Ellsworth formally 
moved that this be adopted, and thus the first compromise was effected after 
considerable debate. The second was in regard to the regulation of commerce 
by Congress. It was proposed to tax both exports and imports at the dis- 
cretion of Congress. C. C. Pinckney declared that South Carolina would 
not enter the Union if exports were to be taxed, since nearly the whole of 
her wealth lay in one article of export, rice. Hence it was decided, August 
6, that " no tax or duty shall be laid by the Legislature on articles exported 
from any State," and on these terms the Federal control over commerce was 
conceded. Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina refused to enter the 
Union if the slave traffic was to be prohibited, so the third compromise 
effected that Congress should not prohibit the slave trade until 1808, and 
that a fugitive slave law should be provided. 

Concord, capital of New Hampshire, settled in 1725. It was known as 
Rumford until 1765, when it received its present name. It became capital 
of the State in 1807, and a city in 1853. 

Concord. (See Lexington.) 

Confederate Constitution. The Constitution framed by the Montgomery 
Convention of 1862 was based upon that of the Union with a few important 
changes. It recognized the " sovereign and independent character " of the 



Dictionary of United States History. 153 

States and the protection of slavery in all new Territories. It prohibited 
protective tariffs and general internal improvements at Federal expense. 
The admission of a new State was to be accorded by a- vote taken by the 
poll of the States. State L,egislatures could impeach Confederate officers 
acting within their individual jurisdictions. The Presidential term was 
lengthened to six years, and the President was made ineligible for re-election. 
Heads of the executive departments were granted the right of debate in 
Congress, and the latter's appropriating power was restricted. 

Confederate States, a government formed in 1861 by seceding States. The 
second State to secede, Mississippi, at the time of secession, January 9, 1861, 
proposed a convention to form a Southern Confederacy. This provisional 
Congress met at Montgomery, Alabama, on February 4, with delegates pres- 
ent from six of the seven States which had then seceded. It voted b)- States. 
On February 8, it adopted a provisional Constitution, and the next day chose 
Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, provisional President and Alexander H. Steph- 
ens, of Georgia, Vice-President. The permanent Constitution was adopted 
on March 11. It set forth the doctrines of State sovereignty and recognized 
slavery, though it forbade the slave trade. It forbade protective tariffs and 
Federal expenditures for internal improvements. Congress was forbidden to 
emit bills of credit. It could permit members of the Cabinet to speak before 
it. The President was empowered to veto single items in appropriation bills. 
His term was to be six years, and he was not to be re-elected. All the seced- 
ing States ratified the Constitution through conventions. Virginia, North 
Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas seceded, and were admitted into the Con- 
federacy. The seat of government was removed to Richmond, and Davis and 
Stephens were. chosen again under the permanent Constitution. They were 
inaugurated as such on February 22, 1862. During most of the existence of 
the Confederate Government, Judah P. Benjamin was Secretary of State, 
Charles G. Memminger Secretary of the Treasury, James A. Seddon Secre- 
tar\' of War, Stephen R. Mallory of the Navy and John H. Reagan Post- 
master-General. In this government Congress (see art. Congress, Confederate) 
was of little account. Everything was subordinated to the energetic prose- 
cution of the war, for which the President assumed almost dictatorial powers. 
Extraordinary efforts were made. Money was obtained by means of the issue 
of Treasury notes, by cotton loans and by requisitions. Supplies were obtained 
by any means possible. Troops were obtained, finally, by conscription. The 
Government, though given belligerent rights by most maritime nations, 
could not secure any recognition of its independence. As the armies began 
to be more and more completely destroyed, dissensions broke out. Violent 
criticism of Davis prevailed. Finally, the surrender of Lee bi'ought the 
Confederate Government to an end. The Federal Government never recog- 
nized its existence. 

Confederation, Articles of, the first Constitution of the United vStates. On 
the same day on which the Continental Congress appointed a committee to 
frame a declaration of independence, it appointed another to prepare articles 
of confederation. The committee soon reported a scheme. But it was not 
till November 15, 1777, that Congress adopted the "Articles of Confedera- 
tion and Perpetual Union." The articles provided for a single-chambered 



154 Dictionary of United States History. 

Congress, with limited powers over war, peace, foreign affairs, coin, weights 
and measures, Indians and postal arrangements; it could raise money only 
by requisitions upon the States. In it each State had but one vote. Nine 
votes were necessary for the most important acts. Ratification by every 
State was necessary, and was not secured till March i, 1781. The articles 
then went into operation. Their leading defects were, that they left too 
much power to the States, and left Congress entirely dependent upon them 
for money and the enforcement of its decrees; that they did not operate on 
individuals, nor prevent the violation of treaty obligations, nor command 
respect abroad, nor ensure tranquillity at home; and that they could not be 
amended save by consent of every State. After vain efforts to secure such 
consent to amendments which would at least have enabled the Government 
to pay its debts, it became obvious that more drastic alterations were neces- 
sary. Accordingly the Annapolis Convention of 1786 called the Philadel- 
phia Convention of 1787, and the articles were superseded by a better 
Constitution. 

Confiscation. In 1861 Congress passed an act directing a blockade of 
Southern ports and the confiscation of all property used against the National 
Government. This was necessary in order to strengthen the depleted treasury. 
This policy was unflinchingly enforced in 1862 and later. 

Congo. A declaration of the intention of the International Association 
of the Congo and recognition of its flag by the United States took place 
April 22, 1884. 

Congregationalists. This denomination came first to this country with 
the " Pilgrim Fathers " at Plymouth, Mass. The Puritans and other settlers 
of New England gradually were led to separate from the Church of Eng- 
land and to form themselves into Congregational churches. At first these 
were closely connected with the colonial government. Expenses of church 
and pastor were met by public taxes and even the rights of citizenship 
depended upon church fellowhip. These features, however, were gradually 
eliminated (in Connecticut in 1818, in Massachusetts in 1833). The first 
colonial synod was held 1637 at Cambridge, Mass.; the second, 1646, approved 
the Westminster Assembly's Confession of Faith and set forth a statement 
of church polity known as the " Cambridge Platform." The fourth, held in 
Boston, 1865, revised the platform of church polity and issued a declaration 
of faith. This denomination still has its main strength in New England, 
but has been carried westward by settlers in the newer States. Number of 
members in 1890, 513,000. 

Congres des Americanistes, a gathering of European students of Ameri- 
can history, more especially of the aboriginal antiquities and voyages of 
exploration, which has met periodically at various places in Europe since 
1875- 

Congress (see arts. Senate, House of Representatives). (For the Congresses 
existent before 1789, see Stamp-Act Congress and Congress, Continental.) 
The Convention of 1787 planned a Congress of two Houses, and reconciled 
the contest between the large and the small States by providing an upper 



Dictionary of United States History. 155 

House in which States were represented equally and a lower House in which 
they were represented proportionally to population. The old Congress 
summoned the new Congress to meet on March 4, 1789, but the House did 
not have a quorum till April i, nor the Senate till April 6. Each Congress 
has been in existence two years, from March 4 to March 4. (See art. Ses- 
sions.) The relations of Congress with the President have mostly depended 
on whether they were or were not of the same party. The warmest struggles 
have been in the times of Presidents J. O. Adams, Jackson, Tyler, Buchanan 
and Johnson. The latter was impeached by the House. 

Congress, Confederate. The Confederate Congress was practically con- 
trolled by the executive. It never met the executive face to face, but was 
obliged to provide for every executive need. Its make-up was fictitious and 
carried little weight, the need for force and executive ability being far more 
urgent in the field than in counsel. In both the first and second Congresses 
Representatives were present from Kentucky and Missouri, though those 
States did not succeed in seceding. The provisional Congress held four 
sessions, the first beginning February 4, 1861, the fourth ending February 
17, 1862. Under the Constitution there were two Congresses; the first 
(February 18, 1862-February 18, 1865) had four sessions, the second (May 
2, 1864-March 18, 1865) two. They included about twenty-four Senators 
and a hundred Representatives. 

Congress, Continental, was first suggested by a letter of Benjamin 
Franklin to the Assembly of Massachusetts in 1773. Franklin was then 
agent for that colony at London. The first step was taken by the Virginia 
Assembly in 1774, upon the news of the passage of the Boston Port Bill. 
Its committee advised a Congress of all the colonies. The first Continental 
Congress, therefore, assembled at Philadelphia September 5, 1774, Georgia 
alone being unrepresented. Action was confined to a declaration of the 
rights and wrongs of the colonies, a recommendation of an agreement not 
to import British goods after December i, 1774, and not to export goods to 
England after September 10, 1775, unless their wrongs were righted; and a 
resolution commending the people of Massachusetts for their temperate 
resistance to the objectionable measures of Parliament, and a declaration 
that if these acts " shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, 
all America ought to support them in their opposition." The second Con- 
tinental Congress assembled May 10, 1775, at Philadelphia, was a revolu- 
tionary body, plenipotentiary in its nature, and was theoretically in perpetual 
session till March, 1781. Each State had but one vote. The appointment of 
delegates was generally by the State Legislatures. The Congress declared 
independence, carried on the war, and in many respects governed the coimtr)\ 
The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, weakened the Congress by 
requiring the assent of nine States to make valid its most important acts, and 
forbidding any man to be a member more than three years in succession. Under 
its provisions each State should have from two to seven delegates, but only 
one vote. This Congress sat at Philadelphia until December, 1776, then at 
Baltimore until March, 1777, then at Philadelphia again, at Lancaster, Pa., in 
September, 1777, at York until the ensuing June, at Philadelphia again from 



156 Dictionary of United States History. 

July, 1778, to June, 1 7S3, then at Princeton until November, then at Annapolis 
until June, 1784. In November and December, 1784, it sat at Trenton. 
From January, 1785, until its last recorded session (October 21, 1788), it sat 
in New York. Peyton Randolph and Henry Middleton were presidents of 
the first Congress; of the rest, successively, Peyton Randolph, John Hancock 
(1775-1777), Henry Laurens (1778), John Jay (1779), Samuel Huntington 
(1779-1781), Thomas McKean (1781), John Hanson (1782), Elias Boudinot 
(1783), Thomas Mifflin (1784), R. H. Lee (1785), John Hancock (1786), 
Nathaniel Gorham (1786), Arthur St. Clair (1787), Cyrus Griffin (1788). 
Charles Thomson was secretary from 1774 to 17S8. 

Conkling, Roscoe (1829-1888), of New York, Senator, was elected to 
Congress as a Republican in 185S, i860 and 1868, was chosen U. S. Senator 
in 1867 and re-elected in 1873 and 1879. In the Senate he was from the 
first a member of the Judiciary Committee, was a zealous supporter of the 
administration of President Grant, and advocated his election for a third 
term. In 1881 he broke with President Garfield on a question of patronage 
and resigned his seat in the Senate, and was not re-elected. 

Connecticut is named from the river of that name, which is an Indian 
word meaniu"- " long river." Two colonies were established in Connecticut. 
Certain people, who were dissatisfied with the close connection of church and 
State in Massachusetts Bay colony, left that province for the vallej' of the 
Connecticut under Thomas Hooker, Avhere they settled Hartford, Windsor 
and Wethersfield. In 1639 they adopted a Constitution which made no 
reference to the King of England, and provided for the election of all officers 
annually by the people, with no religious qualification. In 1635 John Win- 
throp founded Saybrook. Two years later New Haven Avas founded by a 
companv from England, who came over under Thcophilus Eaton and John 
Davenport, to establish a strict theocracy. They adopted the Bible as their 
Constitution, and refused to institute trial by jury, because it was not recog- 
nized by the Bible. In 1643 Hartford and New Haven both joined the 
New England Confederation for protection against the Dutch, who claimed 
the valley of the Connecticut. New Haven was incorporated with Hartford 
in 1662, under a charter from Charles II., which named the South Sea as 
the western boundary. This charter was adopted as a Constitution in 1776, 
and continued in force until 1818. In 1687 Andros had demanded this charter, 
but it was concealed in the "charter oak." In 1700 Yale College was 
founded. The claims of Connecticut to western lands were surrendered to 
the General Government. Her claim to Westmoreland County in Northern 
Pennsylvania was set aside in 1782. Connecticut ratified the national Con- 
stitution January 9, 1788, by a vote of 128 to 40. Connecticut was strongly 
Federalist until 1820, was opposed to the War of 1812, and sent delegates to 
the Hartford Convention of 1814. The State cast its electoral votes for the 
Democratic candidates in the years 1836, 1852, 1876, 1884, 1888 and 1892. 
The State has been doubtful in State politics. In 1891 there was a dispute 
over the election of Governor, which caused Governor Bulkley to hold over 
after the expiration of his term. The population of the State in 1790 was 
237,496; in 1890 it had increased to 746,258. History by Hollister. 



DicTiONx\.RY OF United vStates History. 157 

Conquistadores, Spanish for conquerors, the name given to those Spanish 
adventurers who conducted expeditions of conquest in the New World. 

Conrad, Charles M. (1804-1878), represented Louisiana in the U. S. 
Senate as a Whig from 1842 to 1843, and in Congress from 1848 to 1850. 
He was Secretary of War in Fillmore's Cabinet from 1850 to 1853. 

" Conscience ^A^higs," in the decade preceding the disruption of the 
Whig party, those Whigs who were conscientiously opposed to the extension 
of slaver}-. These mostly became Free-Soilers, or later, Republicans, when 
that party was formed. 

Conscription. (See Draft.) 

Conservative, a name given to those Democrats who during the years 
from 1837 to 1840 voted with the Whigs against the sub-treasury bill, which 
was then supported by the Democrats at large. On other questions the Con- 
servatives generally adhered to the principles of their party. 

Constable. In colonial times the duties of the constable were both varied 
and extensive. In New England he was usually appointed by the select- 
men of the town; in Virginia and Maryland by the Hundred; in some 
States he was appointed for the parish. The constable gave notice of town 
meetings, collected and disbursed taxes, was often overseer of the roads, 
made arrests and preserx^ed the peace, and filled some judicial functions. 
His scope of office varied for different States and even for different towns, 
but was in earlier times of more importance and dignity than now. 

"Constellation," the United States man-of-war commanded by Truxton, 
which, February 9, 1800, during the troubles with France of that period, 
defeated and captured the French frigate "L'lnsurgente " in the West Indies. 
Truxton was presented by Congress with a gold medal for his braven,-. 

Constitution. The first written Constitution of modem times seems to 
have been the Union of Utrecht, or Constitution of the United Netherlands, 
framed in 1579. The first suggestion of a written Constitution for England 
was made in the "Agreement of the People," drawn up in 1647. During 
the Commonwealth England had two written Constitutions, the Instrument 
of Government, 1653, and the Humble Petition and Advice, 1657. Vane's 
" Healing Question " (1656) first suggested the separate constitutional con- 
vention. The first written Constitution which any American community 
framed for itself was the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639. At 
the time of the Revolution, the desire to have governments of limited powers 
made it inevitable that the Constitutions should be set down in writing. 
The existence of colonial charters helped to familiarize the idea. (See Con- 
vention, Constitutional.) 

" Constitution," the most famous of American frigates, a vessel of forty- 
four guns, was finished in 1798. Under Barry it had some service against 
the French in 1799. On July 5, 181 2, under Captain Hull, it started from 
Annapolis and ran into a British fleet of five frigates. For three days it 
avoided an attack by masterly seamanship and at last escaped without 
damage. On August 19 it encountered the "Guerriere," Captain Dacres, not 



158 Dictionary of United States History. 

far from Cape Race. The " Constitution " was the stronger ship in the pro- 
portion of ten to seven, but Captain Dacres of the " Guerriere " believed the 
Americans could not fight. Within thirty minutes after the battle began his 
vessel was a wreck and seventy-nine of his men killed or wounded. This 
victory greatly strengthened the Americans in self-confidence and prestige. 
On December 29, 1812, in the West Indies, the "Constitution" encountered 
the "Java," thirty-eight guns, Captain Lambert. After two hours' battle 
and an hour spent in repairing damages. Captain Bainbridge (now com- 
mander of the " Constitution ") was about to renew the attack, when the 
"Java" surrendered. The British lost about 100 killed and 200 wounded. 
The Americans lost thirty-four in all. The " Constitution " in this battle 
earned the name of " Old Ironsides." Both the " Guerriere " and the "Java,"' 
on capture, were so disabled that they were blown up. December 30, 1813,, 
the " Constitution," Captain Stewart, sailed toward the West Indies. Feb- 
ruary 14, 1 8 14, it captured the " Picton," sixteen guns, and a convoy. Next 
year, February 15, 1815, it attacked and captured two vessels, the " Cyane," 
thirty-six guns, and the " Levant," eighteen guns. The latter was afterward 
recaptured, the "Constitution" itself narrowly escaping capture at the same 
time from three British frigates. 

Constitution of the United States. The first Constitution of the United 
States was the Articles of Confederation (see art.). Its defects and failure 
caused many to consider the desirability of drastic amendment. The Alex- 
andria Conference of Maryland and Virginia led to the Annapolis Conven- 
tion of 1786, this to the Convention of 1787 at Philadelphia. That con- 
vention forthwith proceeded, not to amend the Confederation, but to make a 
new Constitution. (See art. Convention of 1787.) This Constitution differed 
from its predecessor in that it dealt directly with individuals, that it invested 
the Federal Government with coercive powers, that it provided an efficient 
executive, and that it was susceptible of amendment by easier means than 
unanimous consent. Since it went into operation in 1789 it has been devel- 
oped by amendment (see art. Amendments), by interpretation and by cus- 
tom. Courts, especially the Supreme Court, have developed it by interpre- 
tation. Under Chief Justice Marshall the court much enlarged the powers 
of the Federal Government in this way. Expansions of this sort have come 
mostly from the clauses giving Congress the taxing power and the power to 
regulate commerce, and from the war powers of the President and Congress. 
Usage has added such features as the committee system, the Speaker's power, 
the spoils system, the gerrymander and so forth. In fact we have a written 
Constitution plus an unwritten Constitution. 

Constitutional Union Party, a name assumed by the remnants of the 
Whig party in the South in the election of i860. The party held a 
convention at Baltimore May 9, i860, in which delegates from twenty States 
were present. John Bell, of Tennessee, was nominated for President and 
Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, for Vice-President. The platform of the 
party was of the most general character, recognizing " no political principle 
but the Constitution of the country, the union of the States and the enforce- 
ment of laws." In the election it carried Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia^ 
but failed utterly in the North. The Civil War blotted it out immediately. 



Dictionary of UxNited States History. ' 159 

Constitutionalists, iu Pennsylvania, under the Constitution of 1776-1790, 
the party who favored the maintenance of that democratic Constitution, as 
opposed to the party called Republicans, who desired to see a stronger 
government substituted. They formed the germ of the Pennsylvania Anti- 
Federalists and Democrats of a later time. From 1804 to 1808 the name 
Constitutionalists was assumed by those moderate Democrats who desired to 
maintain the then existing Constitution, as opposed to the Conventionalists 
or " friends of the people," who desired to see it made more popular. 

Constitutionality. The power of American courts to " set aside " 
(neglect) a statute of the State or the Federal Congress for want of conform- 
ity to the Constitution is treated under Unconstitutionality. 

Constitutions, First State. Upon the establishment of independence in 
1776, the thirteen colonies necessarily passed from the crown. Not one of 
the thirteen was a State prior to that event, though a few^ had established 
temporary governments at the suggestion of Congress. Massachusetts 
remained under the form of government fixed by her colonial charter until 
1780, Connecticut until 1818 and Rhode Island until 1842. New Hamp- 
shire was the first to modify and establish a local government. She did so 
in January, 1776. South Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey followed in 
March, June and July of the same year, Delaware and Pennsylvania in 
September, Maryland in November, North Carolina in December, Georgia 
and New York in 1777. By 1780 all had formed local governments except 
Connecticut and Rhode Island. 

Consul. Consuls have been appointed from the beginning of the Govern- 
ment. By acts of 1848 and i860 they are empowered to hear and determine 
judicial cases in uncivilized countries. 

Consul-General. The title Consul-General was first introduced in the 
American service in 1855. 

Continental Money. The second Continental Congress, in its straits for 
money, began in June, 1775, to issue paper money. Altogether, about $242,- 
000,000 were issued up to the end of 1779, when further issues were stopped. 
For the first year these issues continued equal in value to gold; then they 
began to depreciate. In two years they had become reduced till they stood 
at two to one. In three years they stood at four to one; in September, 1779, 
at twenty to one; in the ensuing March at forty to one. Congress now 
required the notes to be brought in, to be redeemed at their market value, 
or, to a certain extent, replaced by " new tenor " notes at twenty to one, the 
new issues to bear interest at five per cent. The old notes sank to one thou- 
sand to one, and finally ceased to circulate. 

Continentals, the regular troops of the American army during the Revo- 
lution, enlisted and paid by the Continental Government and commanded by 
Washington. They are to be distinguished from the militia and guerrilla 
companies. The name was first applied in June, 1775, when Congress appro- 
priated ;^6ooo for the support of a " Continental armv," and appointed 
Washington commander-in-chief. Washington at once took command of 



i6o Dictionary of United States History. 

the forces then beleaguering Boston, and ten companies of expert riflemen 
were enlisted in Pennsylvania and Virginia. 

Contraband. Under the laws of war, goods (such as arms) which may 
aid an enemy to prolong the war are called contraband and held liable to 
seizure and condemnation, if a neutral tries to introduce them into the 
countiA' of the other belligerent. In 1861 General B. F. Butler attempted 
to apply this distinction and regulation to the slaves of Southerners, when 
they fell into his hands. 

Contrecoeur, born about 1730; French soldier. In 1754 he conducted a 
French force down the Allegheny River and constructed Fort Duquesne, in 
attempting to capture which Braddock was defeated the next year. 

Contreras, Mexico, a short battle between Pillow's and Twiggs' divis- 
ions of General Scott's army and Valencia, an oilicer of General Santa i\nna, 
on August 19-20. Pillow and Twiggs had been left by Scott upon the con- 
struction of a road during his approach to the city of Mexico. August 19 
Valencia made an attack, but was repulsed and ordered by Santa Anna to 
retreat. This he refused to do and the next day his camp was attacked and 
his forces routed. Americans 4000, Mexicans 6000. 

Convention, Constitutional. In almost all the States, the new Constitu- 
tions framed at the beginning of the Revolutionary period were made by tlie 
Revolutionary Conventions which were managing all the affairs of the State, 
in the absence of any constitutional government .But soon the feeling grew 
that Constitutions should be made by conventions which the people chose 
especially for that purpose. The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 was so 
made, and was submitted to the people afterward. Since then this has been 
the regular practice, both in the case of old States making new Constitutions, 
and in that of new States formed out of territories and old States; and also 
in that of reconstructed Southern States. For the convention which framed 
the Constitution of the United States, see Convention of 1787. A conven- 
tion held at Montgomery, Ala., identical with the Confederate provisional 
Congress, framed the Constitution of the Confederate States, March, 1861. 

Convention, Nominating. In the first stages of American political life, 
candidates for offices within the gift of the people either themselves made 
public announcement of their candidacy or were nominated by more or less 
private or informal caucuses of party leaders. Next came the legislative 
caucus (which see), the candidate of a party being chosen by a caucus of 
the members of the Legislature belonging to that party. Though a sporadic 
case of a nominating convention (at Harrisburg) as early as 1788 is men- 
tioned, yet in general the legislative caucus was the ordinary practice at that 
time. But this gave, in the case of a given party, no representation of those 
districts whose legislative delegates were not of that party. Hence arose a 
modification of the caucus; the legislative caucus being supplemented by 
the addition of delegates specially sent up from those unrepresented districts. 
This was the half-way stage to the nominating convention pure and simple, 
which consisted of delegates from all parts of the State, chosen especially 
and solely for the purpose of making nominations. This institution, which 



Dictionary of United States History. i6i 

has prevailed universally ever since, arose soon, as improved means of com- 
munication between different parts of a State made it easy for such bodies 
to be convened. In Pennsylvania the fully developed nominating conven- 
tion of the modern type appears in (1792) 1817, in New Jersey in 1812, in 
Rhode Island and New York in 1825. After becoming fulh- developed in 
the States, the system was applied to Federal elections. The Presidential 
nominations of 1824 (except Crawford's caucus nomination) had been made 
on no well-defined plan, those of 1828 mostly by State Legislatures. The 
first national nominating convention was that held by the Anti-j\Iasons at 
Baltimore in September, 1831, by which Wirt and EUmaker were nominated. 
The National Republican Convention at Baltimore, December, 1831, followed. 
In May, 1832, a Democratic Convention nominated Van Buren for Vice- 
President. In 1835 the Democrats at Baltimore nominated Van Buren and 
Johnson in National Convention; the Whigs held none. In 1840 both parties 
adopted this practice, which has since been followed without exception. 
Beginning with that year, the principal conventions have been the following: 
1839, Whig, at Harrisburg, nominating Harrison and T)-ler; 1840, Demo- 
cratic, at Baltimore, nominating Van Buren but no Vice-President; Liberty 
party at Albany, nominating Birney and Earle; 1S44, W^hig at Baltimore, 
Clay and Frelinghuysen; Democratic at Baltimore, Polk and Dallas; Liberty 
party at Buffalo (1843), Birney and Morris; 1848, Democratic at Baltimore, 
Cass and Butler; W'hig at Philadelphia, Taylor and Fillmore; Free-Soil at 
Buffalo, Van Buren and Adams; 1852, Democratic at Baltimore, Pierce and 
King; Whig at Baltimore, Scott and Graham; Free-Soil at Pittsburgh, Hale 
and Julian; 1856, American (" Know-Nothing ") at Philadelphia, Fillmore 
and Donelson; Democratic at Cincinnati, Buchanan and Breckinridge; Repub- 
lican at Philadelphia, Fremont and Dayton; Whig at Baltimore, ratified the 
American nominations; i860, Democratic (Moderate) at Charleston and Bal- 
timore, Douglas and Johnson; Democratic (Extreme) at Charleston, Rich- 
mond and Baltimore, Breckinridge and Lane; Constitutional LTnion at Balti- 
more, Bell and Everett; Republican at Chicago, Lincoln and Hamlin; 1864, 
Republican (Radical) at Cleveland, Fremont and Cochrane; Republican 
(Regular) at Baltimore, Lincoln and Johnson; Democratic at Chicago, 
McClellan and Pendleton; 1868, Republican at Chicago, Grant and Colfax; 
Democratic at New York, Seymour and Blair; 1872, Liberal Republican at 
Cincinnati, Greeley and Brown; Republican at Philadelphia, Grant and Wil- 
son; Democratic at Baltimore, ratified the Liberal Republican nominations; 
1876, Greenback at Indianapolis, Cooper and Carey; Republican at Cincin- 
nati, Hayes and Wheeler; Democratic at St. Louis, Tilden and Hendricks; 
1880, Republican at Chicago, Garfield and Arthur; Greenback at Chicago, 
Weaver and Chambers; Democratic at Cincinnati, Hancock and English; 
1884, Republican at Chicago, Blaine and Logan; Democratic at Chicago, 
Cleveland and Hendricks; Prohibitionist at Pittsburgh, St. John and Daniel; 
Greenback Labor party, Butler and West; 1888, Prohibitionist at Indian- 
apolis, Fiske and Brooks; Democratic at St. Louis, Cleveland and Thur- 
man; Republican at Chicago, Harrison and IMorton; 1892, Republican at 
Minneapolis, Harrison and Reid; Democratic at Chicago, Cleveland and 
Stevenson; Prohibitionist at Cincinnati, Bidwell and Craufell; People's 
party at Omaha, Weaver and Field. (See Elections.) 



i62 Dictionary of United States History. 

Convention of 1787, the body which framed the Constitution of the United 
States, was first suggested by a private letter of Alexander Hamilton in 1780. 
The State Legislatures were slow in considering the matter. The convention 
was really brought about by the recommendation of a previous convention 
of delegates from several States, who had assembled at Annapolis in Septem- 
ber, 1786, to consider the regulation of trade. Virginia taking the lead, 
delegates were chosen to a convention to amend the faulty Articles of Con- 
federation. By June 2, 1787, delegates from New York, Pennsylvania, New 
Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, 
Connecticut, Georgia and Maryland, had assembled at Philadelphia, those 
from the first seven States having arrived May 25. On May 29 Edmund 
Randolph, of Virginia, presented a plan for " a more energetic government," 
and inclining to reduce the " idea of States " to a minimum. He proposed 
a correction of the Articles of Confederation; representation by population; 
two branches of Congress, the first chosen by the people, the second by the 
first on nomination by the State Legislatures; that Congress should legislate 
concerning commerce and taxes and should have a veto power over State 
laws; that Congress should choose the executive, who should have veto power^ 
and a number of other clauses, Charles Pinckney, of South Carolina, sub- 
mitted another draft of a Constitution. These were considered and reported 
favorably. After much debate it was decided that a national government 
ought to be established. June 15, William Paterson, of New Jersey, sub- 
mitted a draft which was in nearly every respect incompatible with Ran- 
dolph's, leaving far more to the States, that the small States might be 
protected. On the motion of Ellsworth a compromise was effected by giving 
the States an equal representation in the Senate and a representation propor- 
tionate to population in the House. A compromise was also effected regard- 
ing the regulation of commerce and the taxation of exports. The third 
compromise forbade Congress to prohibit the slave trade, and established a 
fugitive slave law. July 24 a committee of detail was appointed. August 6 
this committee of detail reported a draft strongly resembling the Constitution. 
A month was spent in debate, and on September 12, this draft, amended by 
the third great compromise, was given to a committee of style, consisting of 
Gouverneur Morris, Johnson, Madison, Hamilton and King. September 13 
the Constitution was reported to the convention ver>' nearly in its present 
form. In the debates the leaders of the nationalizing party were, Hamilton, 
Madison, King, Wilson and Morris; of the States' rights, Lansing, Yates, 
Paterson, Martin. On September 17, 1787, the convention adjourned, after 
sending the Constitution to Congress for transmission to the States. Its pro- 
ceedings were marked by great moderation and wisdom. It consisted mostly 
of somewhat conservative men. A movement toward a second general con- 
vention in 1788, started by George Clinton, Patrick Henry and other Anti- 
Federalists, proved abortive. 

Convention of 1787, Members of. In the following list of members 
elected, those who signed the Constitution are designated by numbers; those 
whose names are written in italics did not attend; the rest attended, but did 
not sign: 



Dictionary of United States History. 



163 



New Hampshire. 

1. John Langdon, 
John Pickerings 

2. Nicholas Oilman, 
Benjamin West. 

Massachusetts. 

Francis Dana, 
Elbridge Gerry, 

3. Nathaniel Gorham, 

4. Rnfus King, 
Caleb Strong. 

Connecticut. 

5. William Samnel Johnson, 

6. Roger Sherman, 
Oliver Ellsworth. 

New York. 

Robert Yates, 

7. Alexander Hamilton, 
John I,ansing. 

New Jersey. 

8. David Brearley, 

William Churchill Houston, 

9. William Paterson, 
John Neilson, 

10. William Livineston, 
Abraham Clark, 

11. Jonathan Dayton. 

Pennsylvania. 

12. Thomas Mifflin, 

13. Robert Morris, 

14. George Clymer, 

15. Jared lugersoll, 

16. Thomas Fitzsimons, 

17. James Wilson, 

18. Gouverneur Morris, 

19. Benjamin Franklin. 

Delaware. 

20. George Read, 

21. Gunning Bedford, 

22. John Dickinson, 

23. Richard Bassett, 

24. Jacob Broom. 



Maryland. 

Robert Hanson Harrison, 
Charles Carroll, of Carrolltotty 
Thomas Stone, 

25. James McHenry, 
Thomas Sim Lee, 
Gabriel Ditvall, 

26. Daniel Jenifer, of St. Thomas, 

27. Daniel Carroll, 
James Francis Mercer, 
lyUther Martin. 

Virginia. 

28. George Washington, 
Patrick Henry, 
Edmund Randolph, 

29. John Blair, 

30. James Madison, 
George Mason, 
George Wythe, 
Richard Henty Lee, 
Thomas Nelson, 

James McClurg. 

North Carolina. 

Richard Caswell, 
Alexander Martin, 
William Richardson Davie, 

31. Richard Dobbs Spaight, 
IVillie Jones, 

32. William Blount, 
2i- Hugh Williamson. 

South Carolina. 

34. John Rutledge, 

35. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, 

36. Charles Pinckney, 
2)"]. Pierce Butler, 

Henry Laurens. 

Georgia. 

38. William Few, 

39. Abraham Baldwin, 
William Pierce, 
George Walton, 
William Houston, 
Nathaniel Petidleton. 



1 64 Dictionary of United States History. 

Convention, Revolutionary. In English history, conventions, resembling 
Parliaments in ever>'thing but in not being summoned by the crown, were 
held in 1660 and in 1689. Thence the name came to America and was 
similarly applied, as in Massachusetts in 1689 and in South Carolina in 
1 7 18, to irregular meetings of the popular branch of the Legislature, sum- 
moned in the absence of executive authority. In the troubles that led to 
the Revolution, when royal governors dissolved assemblies, they often met 
again at once in " conventions." These representative bodies soon came to 
have all authority, to the exclusion of the royal government. In the pro- 
visional governments which managed the Revolution in each State, the con- 
trolling body, up to the time when the first Constitution was made for the 
State, was the convention. These revolutionary conventions were sovereign 
bodies, and most commonly they made the State's first Constitution, though 
soon the feeling grew that this should be done by a special convention 
elected by the people for that express purpose. Conventions, supposed to 
represent the sovereignty of the State in a more complete degree than Leg- 
islatures could, controlled the nullification proceedings in South Carolina in 
1832, and passed the ordinances of secession on behalf of the Southern 
States in i860 and 1861. 

Convention Troops. On October 14, 1777, the British General Burgoyne, 
finding himself surrounded at Saratoga, proposed to surrender to General 
Gates. Accordingly, October 16, a convention was signed fixing the terms 
of capitulation. It was decided that Burgoyne, his officers and troops should 
march out of camp with the honors of war, and should be accorded pass- 
ports to England upon promising to abstain from war against the States. In 
obedience to these terms the troops were marched to Boston, there to await 
transports from Howe. During the winter the troops remained quartered on 
Prospect Hill and Winter Hill, the officers being placed at Cambridge. 
Numerous delays followed. Congress disliked the terms; an expression of 
Burgoyne's was construed as a repudiation of them. Finally General Heath 
was instructed by Congress to suspend the embarkation indefinitely. Bur- 
govne and his staff returned to England on parole. The troops were trans- 
ferred to Rutland, Vt., and afterward to Charlottesville, Va., where they 
remained till the close of the war. 

Conventionalists, in the Pennsylvania politics of 1 804-1 808, the name 
assumed by those extreme Democrats who desired to see a new convention 
called, to modify the Constitution of the State in a radically democratic 
sense, as opposed to the so-called " Constitutionalists." Their leaders were 
Leib and Duane. 

Convicts. In 1619, by order of King James I., one hundred convicts 
were sent from England to be sold as servants. For more than a century 
this practice was from time to time followed in the case of the royal colonies, 
in spite of colonial protests. 

Conway, Thomas (1733-1800 ?), soldier, came to the United States in 1777 
and was made brigadier-general, and was present at Brandywine and Ger- 
mantown. He was leader of the conspiracy against Washington, known as 
the " Conway Cabal," on account of which he was wounded in a dud with 



Dictionary of United States History. 165 

General John Cadwalader. Soon after he returned to France, and was made 
Governor of Pondicherry. 

Conway Cabal. An intrigue by Gates, Lee, Mifflin, Wilkinson and others 
of Washington's officers, in 1777, for the promotion of Brigadier-General 
Conway, contrary to Washington's judgment. Washington was accused of 
incompetence and partiality, and finally Congress was prevailed upon to 
promote Conway to major-general and inspector-general. In 1778 Conway 
was wounded in a duel and apologized to Washington, confessing his 
wrong. 

Coodies, a name given to small bodies of Federalists who became jDromi- 
nent in New York City in 1812, under the leadership of G. C. Verplanck 
("Abimalech Coody "). They opposed DeWitt Clinton and favored war 
with England. 

Cook, F. Joseph, born in 1838, of New York, author and lecturer; has 
traveled extensively, but is best known as a lecturer on theological subjects, 
and especially by his " Boston Monday Lectures." 

Cook, James (1728-1779), naval captain, commanded a frigate at the 
capture of Quebec in 1759. In 1768 he made an expedition, during which 
he sought for the great continent supposed to exist near the South Pole. 
From 1772 to 1775 a more thorough exploration was made. In 1776 he 
conducted an expedition to discover a northwest passage by way of Behring 
Strait. He discovered the Sandwich Islands, where he was killed by the 
natives of Hawaii. 

Cooke, Jay, born in 1821, established the banking firm of Jay Cooke 
& Co., at Philadelphia, in 1861, which was the agent of the United States 
for the war loans during the Civil War. Its failure on September 19, 1873 
(" Black Friday "), began the panic of that year. 

Cooke, John Esten (1830-1886), of Virginia, author, entered the Con- 
federate army, his experiences in which furnish the materials for some of 
his writings. He also wrote on Virginian history. 

Cooley, Thomas M., born in 1824, of Michigan, jurist, was appointed to 
compile the statutes of Michigan in 1857, and was reporter of the Supreme 
Court in 1858. He was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Michigan from 
1864 to 1885 and Chief Justice in 1868-69. He waschainnan of the Inter- 
state Commerce Commission from its beginning in 1887 till 1891. He now 
holds the chair of American History in the University of Michigan and is 
lecturer on constitutional law and political science. He has published a 
" Digest of Michigan Reports " and has edited an edition of Blackstoue's 
"Commentaries," with copious notes. 

Coons, a nickname given to the members of the Whig party, who had 
adopted the raccoon as an emblem. 

Cooper, Edward, an active business man, son of Peter Cooper, was born 
in 1824. He was mayor of New York from 1879 to 1881 and 1883, and 
was active in the overthrow of the Tweed ring. 



1 66 Dictionary of United States History. 

Cooper, James Fenimore (1789-1851), was born in Burlington, N. J. He 
entered the navy in 1801, but resigned in iSti. In 1821 he published " The 
Spy," the first of his historical novels and one of the first of American his- 
torical novels. This was followed by "The Pioneers," "The Last of the 
Mohicans," and a long series of romantic novels dealing with the Revolu- 
tion, frontier life, sea life and the American Indian. He also wrote a history 
of the American navy. 

Cooper, Myles (1735-1785), an English clergyman, was president of 
King's College, New York, from 1763 to 1775, in which year, being a Tory, 
he returned to England. His sermon at Oxford, " On the Causes of the 
Present Rebellion in America," aroused much controversy. 

Cooper, Peter (1791-1883), philanthropist, was born in New York City. 
He greatly promoted the progress of industrial improvement in the United 
States, and in 1854-59 erected the " Cooper Union for the advancement of 
Science and Art," where the working classes may receive free instruction. 
He was a careful thinker on questions of government and finance. In 1876 
he was the Presidential candidate of the National Independent party. 

Cooper, Samuel (1798-1876), from 1815 an officer in the U. S. army, 
was adjutant-general from 1852 to 1861. Resigning then, he became adju- 
tant-general and inspector-general of the Confederate army. 

Cooper, Thomas (1759— 1840), scientist. An English democrat, he emi- 
grated to the United States in 1795. He was one of those tried under the 
Sedition Act, was president of the College of South Carolina, and was one 
of the founders of political economy in America. 

Cope, Edward Drinker, naturalist and comparative anatomist, was born 
in Philadelphia in 1840. He has contributed extensively to the develop- 
ment of palseontology, and has been honored by scientific societies at home 
and abroad. 

Copley, John Singleton (i 737-1815), an eminent portrait painter, was 
born in Boston. In 1775, after a year spent in study in Italy, he established 
himself in London, and was shortly afterward chosen a member of the Royal 
Academy. His painting, " The Death of Lord Chatham," is the most famous 
of his numerous productions. Lord Lyndhurst, Lord Chancellor of England, 
was his son. 

Copper. The mining of copper was carried on to a limited extent in 
Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, in colonial times, and its exist- 
ence was known of as early as 1660 by Jesuit missionaries about Lake 
Superior in Michigan. The first s}stematic mining for copper was begun in 
Michigan in 1844. From 1867 to 1881 about ninety per cent of the copper 
product of the United States came from Lake Superior. Immense copper 
fields have since been opened in Montana and Arizona. 

Copperhead, the name applied to Northerners who sympathized with the 
South in the Civil War. 

Copyright. Clause 8 of the Constitution authorized Congress to issue 
copyrights to authors and artists and patents to inventors. Prior to the 



Dictionary of United States History. 167 

adoption of the Constitution the States issued copyrights, and the first act of 
Congress recognized the rights thus granted. The first law was enacted in 
1790, giving to authors exclusive right to their works for fourteen years, with 
the liberty of renewal for the same number of years. In 1831 the terra was 
made twenty-eight years, with the right of renewal for fourteen years. A 
copy of the title of the book or a descrijjtion of the article must be sent to the 
Librarian of Congress, and not later than the day of publication two copies 
of the book must be sent to the librarian. Copyrights were formerly issued 
by the Clerks of the District Courts of the United States. In 1891 Congress 
passed an act granting the privileges of copyright to foreigners of nations 
whose governments give American citizens similar privileges. This recip- 
rocity was to be determined by proclamation of the President. It was at 
once extended to Great Britain, France, Belgium and Switzerland, and sub- 
sequently to Germany and Italy. 

Corcoran, William W. (1798-1888), a banker and successful financier 
during the Mexican War, was noted as founder of the Louise Home and the 
Corcoran Art Gallery at Washington, D. C, and for liberality toward chari- 
table institutions. 

Corea. The United States concluded a commercial treaty with Corea in 
1882. 

Corinth, Miss., fortified and occupied by General Beauregard, command- 
ing 53,000 effective Confederate troops, and captured May 30, 1862, by 
Generals Halleck and Pope, leading an army of over 100,000 Federals, after 
some twelve days spent in skirmish, siege and bombardment. Beauregard's 
lieutenants were Van Dorn and Price. Corinth was but weakly fortified, 
but this fact was unknown to the Federal generals, strong outposts of Con- 
federate troops being constantly opposed to their advancing columns. Pope 
sent Elliot, Hatch and Sheridan with strong detachments to make a circuit 
of forty miles around the town and strike the railroad. Stanley's division 
pushed forward, and, after a sharp skirmish with the Confederate outposts, 
secured and fortified a position directly opposite the Confederate works. 
Paine, Crittenden and Nelson joined him there. Sherman had meantime 
captured a loop-holed log house, manned by Confederates and situated south 
of Corinth. Sharp-shooters annoyed him from this place. The house was 
destroyed and Sherman advanced close to Beauregard's earthworks. Beau- 
regard, seeing himself nearly hemmed in, began to evacuate on the night of 
the twenty-ninth, destroying as much as he could, but leaving many valuable 
stores, nevertheless. His evacuation was concealed by the shouting of his men 
and the blowing of whistles, which the Federals mistook for reinforcements. 
Later, the place, when in Federal possession, was assaulted, but without suc- 
cess, by a large Confederate force commanded by Price and Van Dorn, Octo- 
ber 3-4, 1862. Rosecrans held the place with 20,000 Federal troops posted 
behind three rows of earthworks. Hamilton held the right, Davies the cen- 
tre and McKean the left. Price advanced from the left and Van Dorn from 
the right. The assault was begun by an impetuous charge by the latter 
general. Little was done, however, the first day. Early October 4, Price's 
column advanced, drawn up like a wedge. The charge was a daring one, 



1 68 Dictionary of United States History. 

but the Confederates were driven back and literally cut to pieces. The 
Texan and Mississippi troops under Rogers fared as badly, their charge end- 
ing the assault. They fled in great disorder and were pursued for some dis- 
tance by an Ohio regiment. 

Cornbury, Edward Hyde, Lord (1661-1724) cousin of Queen Mary and 
Queen Anne, was made Governor of New York by William III. In 1708, 
after six years of severe rule, he was removed, but for a long time was impris- 
oned for debt. 

Cornell, Alonzo B., was bom in Ithaca, N. Y., in 1832. In 1866-67 ^^ 
was a member of the Republican State Committee, and in 1868 was nom- 
inated for Lieutenant-Governor. He was elected to the State Assembly in 
1872 and made Speaker in 1873. He received important appointments from 
President Grant, and was Governor of New York from 1880 to 1883. 

Cornell, Ezra (1807— 1874), founder of Cornell University, was a mem- 
ber of the first Republican National Convention, was elected to the New 
York Assembly in 1862—63, and served in the State Senate from 1864 to 
1867. 

Cornell University was chartered in 1865 and organized in 1868. 

Cornstalk, an Indian chief who led a clever and spirited attack upon 
General Lewis at Point Pleasant, near the mouth of the Great Kanawha 
(1774). Each side lost about seventy-five killed and one hundred and forty 
wounded. 

Cornwallis, Charles, Earl and later Marquis Cornwallis (i 737-1805), 
served in the Seven Years' War. He took his seat in Parliament and 
favored the Americans during the preliminary troubles. Having been made 
lieutenant-general he was sent to America in 1776, fought in the battle of 
Long Island, and pursued Washington's army through New Jersey. He was 
defeated at Princeton, decided the victor}' of Brandywine in 1777, and ser\'ed 
at Germantown and Monmouth. Having been appointed to the command 
of the Southern army he overwhelmed Gates at Camden in 1780, but in his 
contest with Greene he was worsted, although he won a technical victory at 
Guilford Court House in 1781. Then followed his campaign in Virginia 
against Lafayette, the siege of his army in Yorktown, and its surrender to 
the Franco-American troops on October 17, 1781. He was the ablest of the 
British commanders in the war. As Governor-General of India, 1786-93 
and 1805, he rendered valuable militaty and administrative services. He 
was also lord-lieutenant of Ireland, 1798-1801, at the epoch of the Union. 

Coronado, Francisco Vasquez de (1510-1542), a Spanish explorer, sent 
out expeditions in 1539 and 1540, which explored the regions of the Gila, 
the Little Colorado and the Rio Grande. 

Corporal's Guard, the term applied to the small party or group which sup- 
ported Tyler's administration (1841-45). 

Corps, in the Civil War. First Corps organized March 13, 1862, and com- 
manded by McDowell; afterward reorganized and merged in the Army of 



Dictionary of United States History. 169 

the Potomac and commanded by Wadsworth, Newton and Hancock in 
succession; disbanded in 1865. Second Corps organized August 12, 1862, and 
at first commanded by Banks; afterward by a number of other generals; 
disbanded in 1865. Third Corps organized August 12, 1862, and com- 
manded by Heintzehnan; disbanded in 1864. Fourth Corps organized 
August I, 1863, and commanded by Keyes; afterward consolidated with 
the Twentieth and Twenty-first Corps; disbanded in 1865. Fifth Corps 
organized July 2, 1862, and commanded by Banks; afterward by Porter 
in the Army of the Potomac; disbanded in 1865; many successive com- 
manders. Sixth Corps organized July 22, 1862, with Franklin in com- 
mand; disbanded in 1865. Seventh Corps organized July 22, 1862, with 
Naglee in command; merged with Eighteenth Corps in 1863. Eighth 
Corps organized July 22, 1862, and commanded by Schenck and Lockwood; 
afterward by Lew Wallace; disbanded in 1865. Ninth Corps organized 
July 22, 1862, and commanded by Burnside and others in succession; dis- 
banded in 1865. Tenth Corps organized September 3, 1862, with Mitchell 
in command; discontinued in 1864, but reorganized in 1865 and continued 
till the close of the war under various generals. Eleventh Corps originally 
organized as the Second Corps; organized as the Eleventh September 12, 
1862, and commanded by Banks; consolidated with the Twelfth in 1864, 
and constituted the Twentieth; disbanded in 1865. Twelfth Corps first 
organized as the Third Corps; as Twelfth September 12, 1862; after- 
ward merged with the Eleventh to form the Twentieth, with Banks in com- 
mand; disbanded in 1865. Thirteenth Corps organized October 24, 1862, 
with McClernand in command; reorganized in 1865 and commanded by 
Granger. Fourteenth Corps organized October 24, 1862, and commanded 
by Rosecrans; disbanded in 1865. Fifteenth Corps organized December 
18, 1862, and commanded by Sherman; disbanded in 1865. Sixteenth 
Corps organized December 18, 1862, and commanded by Hurlbnt; dis- 
banded in 1865. Seventeenth Corps organized December 18, 1862, with 
McPherson in command; disbanded in 1865. Eighteenth Corps organized 
December 24, 1862, and commanded by Foster; reorganized in 1864, and 
commanded by W. F. Smith; disbanded in 1865. Nineteenth Corps 
organized January 5, 1863, with Banks in command; organization abol- 
ished in 1864, and entirely disbanded in 1865. Twentieth Corps organized 
January 3, 1863, and commanded by McCook; afterward reformed from 
Eleventh and Twelfth in 1863; disbanded in 1865. Twentj-first Corps 
organized January 9, 1863, and commanded by Crittenden; consolidated 
with the original Twentieth in 1863 to form the Fourth. Twenty-second 
Corps organized February 2, 1863, with Heintzelman in command; dis- 
banded in a few months. Twenty-third Corps organized April 27, 1863, 
with Hartsuff in command; disbanded in 1865. Twenty-fourth Corps 
organized December 3, 1864, and commanded by Ord; disbanded in 1865. 
Twenty-fifth Corps organized December 3, 1864, of colored troops, and com- 
manded by Weitzel and Heckman; disbanded in 1866. Potomac Cavalry 
Corps organized April 15, 1863, and commanded by Stoneman and after- 
ward by Sheridan. Wilson's Cavalr>' Corps not organized under Act of 
Congress, as the others were. Engineer and Signal Service Corps organ- 
ized in 1864. 



170 Dictionary of United States History. 

Corrlgan, Michael Augustine, Roman Catholic prelate, born in Newark, 
N. J., in 1839, was Bishop of Newark 1873-1880; coadjutor to Cardinal 
McCloskey 1 880-1 885, and Archbishop of New York from 1885 to the 
present time (1894). 

Cortereal, Caspar, born in Lisbon, died in 1501. He received a license 
from the King of Portugal to make a voyage of discovery in 1500. He is 
reported to have visited a country far to the North, which was probably 
Greenland. He made a second voyage with three ships in 1501, during which 
he sailed for six or seven hundred miles along the coast of America. His 
vessel was never heard from. 

Corwin, Thomas (i 794-1 865), statesman, was a member of the Ohio 
Legislature 1822-1829, and of the U. S. House of Representatives in 1S31, 
where he represented the Whig party until 1840, when he was elected Gov- 
ernor of Ohio. He was elected to the U. S. Senate 1844— 1850 and to Con- 
gress in 1858 and i860. He was appointed Minister to Mexico by President 
Lincoln, serving from 1861 to 1864. 

Costa Rica. The United States concluded a commercial treaty with Costa 
Rica in 1 85 1. A convention relative to claims of United States citizens was 
concluded in i860. 

Cotton, John (1585-1652), clerg)'man, fled to America in 1633 ^^ escape a 
charge of nonconformity in church service, and was established in the first 
church in Boston, where he remained until his death. In controversies with 
Roger Williams he defended the interference of the civil power in religious 
matters. He was a scholar of profound learning and a voluminous writer. 

Cotton. The cotton plant began to be cultivated in Virginia in the times 
of the earliest colonists. Small patches were grown, and the lint, picked 
from the seed by hand, was woven into cloth for domestic use. The develop- 
ment of cotton manufacture was gradual, and it was not until 1750, when 
the fly shuttle was invented, that the industr>' became extensive through the 
Southern States of the Union. The spinning jenny was invented in Eng- 
land in 1767 and immediately brought into use in this country. In 1769 
Arkwright patented a spinning frame, or " throstle,'' in which was a useful 
device for spinning with rollers. Arkwright adapted to this machine the 
principle now known as the " flyer." Samuel Crompton combined the princi- 
ples of the fly shuttle and the " throstle " in 1779, and Cartwright invented 
the power loom in 1785. The first steam engine used in a power mill was 
set up in 1785, thus supplying the mechanical power so long needed. Eli 
Whitney's cotton gin, invented in 1792, broxight about an enormous increase 
in the cotton industry. The first successful cotton factory in the United 
States was that of Samuel Slater, of Pawtucket, R. I., established in 1790. 
In 1810 the whole consumption of cotton in this countr\' was 10,000 bales; 
in 1815 it had reached 90,000. The total product in 1890 was 14,188,103 
bales, with a capital of $354,000,000 employed in the industr)-. 

Cotton Gin, invented by Eli Whitney, of Massachusetts, in 1792. With 
this machine the preparation of cotton for market was enormously facilitated 
and the cotton industry increased proportionately. The price of slaves 



Dictionary of United States History. 171 

immediately rose and the faint glimmerings of emancipation sentiment in 
the South were quickly extinguished, slave labor being invaluable in the 
cultivation of cotton. 

Cotton Loans, loans negotiated by the Confederate Government. It 
induced the planters to promise that, when their cotton was sold, certain 
sums or a certain proportion of the crop should be paid to the government 
for the management of the war. In return, and on this basis, the govern- 
ment issued eight per cent bonds. The loan proved worthless to subscribers. 

" Cotton Whigs," a name given in the decade preceding the Civil War 
to those Whigs in the North who were willing, for the sake of conciliating 
the Southern Whigs, to make as little opposition as possible to the extension 
of slavery. 

Couch, Darius N., general, born in South East, N. Y., in 1822. He was 
graduated at the U. S. Militar\' Academy, and served against the Seminoles 
in 1849-50. During the Civil War he ser\'ed as colonel and brigadier- 
general, and commanded the Second Army Corps at Fredericksburg and 
Chancellorsville. He was quartermaster-general of Connecticut in 1877-78, 
and adjutant-general in 1883-84. Died 1897. 

Council. Under the colonial governments, the council, legislative coun- 
cil, or executive council, was a body partaking of the nature and functions 
of an upper House of the Legislature, and of a privy council. The name 
was retained for the upper House of the Legislature by Delaware until 1792, 
by Georgia uutil 1798, by South Carolina until 1790 and by Vermont until 
1836. In later days this name has also been applied to the upper House of 
the Territorial Legislatures. In a few States the Governor has an executive 
council. 

Count of Presidential Votes. The two Houses meet in the House of 
Representatives. The votes are opened by the president of the Senate and 
handed to tellers, who count the votes and announce the results. In 1876 
double returns were received from certain States. In 1877 an act was passed 
applicable to that election only, that no vote should be rejected except by 
concurrent vote of both Houses, and that disputes should be decided by a 
special Electoral Commission. In 1887 an act was passed providing that the 
determination by the States, under State laws, of all contests as to the 
appointment of electors, shall be final, so far as is possible. 

County. In England the county was the primar}- subdivision of the 
kingdom. In the sparsely settled Southern colonies it was natural that the 
county institutions of England should be kept in existence rather than those 
of the smaller areas. Here, therefore, county government prevailed. In 
1634 eight shires were erected in Virginia, called counties in 1639; in 1680 
there were twenty. In AIar>'land the tenn county first appears in 1638. In 
South Carolina the original subdivision of the colony was the parish, to 
which afterward was added the district. Except for the years 1 786-1 790, the 
county did not come into existence until 1868. These Southern counties had 
institutions and officers resembling those of English counties — lieutenants, 
sheriffs, justices and quarter sessions. In Massachusetts counties were first 



172 



Dictionary of United States History. 



incorporated in 1643; but the life of local government was mainly in the 
towns. In Rhode Island no counties were erected until 1703. In the Middle 
colonies the county came into existence with the beginnings of English rule 
or soon after. 

County Democracy, a faction of the Democratic party in New York City> 
which opposed Tammany Hall, especially before 1886, since which time it 
has been of little importance. 

" Courant, Connecticut," chief among the earlier newspapers of the State. 
Its publication was begun at Hartford by Thomas Green in December, 1764, 
and it is still issued as a daily and weekly. 

Court, General, the proper title of the Legislature of Massachusetts. Its 
origin is from the Massachusetts Company. In the seventeenth century, the 
general stockholders' meeting of a corporation was called its general court. 
Hence the primary assembly of the freemen of the Massachusetts Company 
was from the first called the general court, and the name remained when the 
assembly became representative. 

Court Leet. In old English manors this court, consisting of the tenants 
of the manor, presided over by the lord's steward, judged petty criminal cases, 
and had also some administrative duties. In Maryland courts leet were held 
in the seventeenth century, and their records have been preserved. 

Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture, a tribimal which constituted the 
main portion of the Federal judiciary before 1789. General Washington 
made the first suggestion of a Federal prize court, to hear appeals from State 
courts in cases of capture of prizes. From 1776 to 1780 Congress heard 
appeals by means of committees. The complications arising out of the case 
of the sloop " Active," which embroiled the Federal Government with Penn- 
sylvania and showed the weakness of the former, led to the establishment of 
a permanent Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture, in 1780. The court held 
sittings from that time to 1787, and consisted of three judges. The court 
and the committees which preceded it took cognizance of 118 cases. It was 
a precursor of the U. S. Supreme Court. 

Court of Claims. This court, founded in 1855, hears claims against the 
Government on any regulation of an executive department or on any contract, 
express or implied, with the Government of the United States. Before the 
establishment of this court, those having just claims against the Government 
had no remedy but to petition Congress. The court at first reported its pro- 
ceedings to Congress, and that body acted upon the reports. Since 1863 
report to Congress has not been required. 

Courts. (See Judiciar)'.) 

Covode, John (1808-1871), of Dutch descent, was elected to Congress in 
1854 as an Anti-Masonic Whig from Pennsylvania, and served from 1S55 to 
1863 as a Republican. He was chairman of the committee to investigate 
charges against President Buchanan in i860. 

Covode Investigation, an action taken by the Thirty-sixth Congress during- 
President Buchanan's administration in inquiring into certain charges made 



Dictionary of United States History. 173 

by two Anti-Lecompton Democrats of the House, who alleged that the ad- 
ministration had endeavored to influence them corruptly to vote for the 
Lecompton Bill. A committee of five investigated the charges, the Repub- 
lican majority sustaining them, and the Democratic minority exonerating 
the President. No action was taken. 

Cowboys, the name given to British camp-followers and marauders who 
infested the neutral ground between the two armies in New York State 
during the Revolution. They were constantly skirmishing with the " Skin- 
ners," the Continental marauders. 

Covi^pens, Battle of the, January 17, 1781. When Cornwallis marched 
into North Carolina he sent Tarleton with iioo men against Morgan. On 
Tarleton's approach Morgan took his position at the Cowpens upon the slope 
of a hill. His militia was in front, his regulars on higher ground and at the 
top of the slope Colonel Washington with the cavalrj'. As the British 
advanced Pickens' militia delivered a number of deadly volleys and retired 
behind the lines. The regulars then met the enemy with a murderous fire 
followed by a bayonet charge. At the same time the American cavalry 
stnick their right flank and the militia formed again behind the lines on the 
left. The rout was complete. The British loss was 230 killed and wounded 
and 600 taken prisoners, a number equal to the whole American force 
engaged. In point of tactics this was one of the most brilliant battles of the 
war. 

Cox, Jacob D., born in 1828, during the Civil War was promoted to be 
major-general and commanded at the battle of Kingston, N. C. He was 
Secretary of the Interior 1869-70, and Representative in Congress 1877-79. 

Cox, Samuel S., (1S24-1889), was editor of the Columbus, Ohio, S/a/rs- 
man^ in which he published the gorgeous article which gave him the sobri- 
quet of "Sunset" Cox. In 1855 he was Secretary of Legation to Peru, and 
in 1885-86, Minister to Turkey. He spent twenty years in Congress, begin- 
ning in 1857, and was an effective speaker, lecturer and writer. 

Coxe, Tench (1756-1824), successively a Royalist, Whig, Federalist 
and Republican, was a commissioner to the Annapolis Convention in 1786, 
member of the Continental Congress in 1788 and Assistant Secretary' of the 
Treasury from 1789 to 1792. 

Craft Case, an important fugitive slave case. In 1848 William Craft 
and his wife Ellen, who was nearly white, fled from Macon, Ga. Ellen 
impersonated a Southern lady, carried her right ann in a sling that she might 
not be expected to write, bandaged her face and wore green goggles. 
William accompanied her as her servant. The couple at length reached 
Boston, and here engaged the attention of Theodore Parker. After the 
passage of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 their identity was discovered and 
they were finally obliged to leave the city. The)' reached England, where 
the remainder of their days was spent in peace. 

Cranch's Reports, law reports by William Cranch of cases in the Supreme 
Court, covering the period from 1801 to 181 5, in nine volumes. 



174 Dictionary of United States History. 

Craney Island (Chesapeake Bay) commanded the approach to Norfolk. 
1500 troops were sent on June 3, 181 3, from the British fleet under Admiral 
Warren to capture the island, which was defended by 737 men directed by 
General Robert B. Taylor. The American artillery opened upon them with 
terrible effect. Five of the transport barges were sunk and the rest retreated. 
The British loss was eighty-one, the Americans lost none. This defeat 
frustrated all hope of capturing Norfolk. 

Crawford, Francis Marion, son of Thomas, was born in Italy in 1845 
and lived mostly abroad, but made short visits to the United States. He 
has been ver\' successful as a voluminous writer of novels. 

Crawford, George W., born in 1798, was Attorney-General of Georgia 
from 1827 to 1831. He was a Whig member of Congress in 1843. He was 
Governor of Georgia from 1843 to 1845. ^^ ^^ Secretary of War in 
Taylor's Cabinet from 1849 to 1850. 

Crawford, Thomas (1814-1857), an American sculptor, worked mostly in 
Rome, visiting the United States in 1844-49 ^^^ 1856- He was famous 
chiefly for his historical and allegorical works of art. 

Crawford, William (i 732-1 782), participated in Braddock's expedition 
against Fort Duquesne, fought at Long Island, Trenton and Princeton during 
the Revolutionary War, and was captured and put to death in an expedition 
against the Wyandot and Delaware Indians. 

Crawford, William Harris (1772-1834), ser\'ed in the Georgia Legislature 
and obtained distinction as a lawyer. He was a member of the U. S. Senate 
in 1807-13, being president pro ton. for a part of the time. His career in 
this ofiice, followed by his Ministry to France in 1813-15, and his long service 
as Secretary of War, 1815-16, and of the Treasury, 1816-25, brought ^i™ 
prominently forward as a candidate for Monroe's successor in the Presidency. 
He was one of the four candidates voted for in the famous election of 1824, 
receiving forty-one electoral votes, and with Adams and Jackson he was, 
after that indecisive contest, brought before the House of Representatives, 
and like Jackson he went down before the Adams and Clay forces. He left 
the reputation less of a statesman than of a political manipulator. 

Crazy Horse, an Indian chief of the Sioux nation, brother-in-law of Red 
Cloud. With Sitting Bull he destroyed General Custer's command on the 
Little Big Horn in 1876, but surrendered to General Crook in 1877. 

Cre'dit Mobilier, a corporation chartered by the Penusylvania Legislature 
as the " Pennsylvania Fiscal Agency," which in 1864 became a company to 
construct the Union Pacific Railroad. In the Presidential campaign of 1872 
the Democratic leaders charged the Vice-President, the Vice-President elect, 
the Secretary of the Treasury-, Speaker of the House and other prominent 
men with accepting Credit Mobilier stocks in return for political influence. 
An investigation which followed resulted in the censure of Representatives 
Cakes Ames and James Brooks. 

Creek Indians originally lived on the Flint, Chattahoochee, Coosa and 
Alabama Rivers, and in the peninsula of Florida. It was not until the 



Dictionary of United States History. 175 

overthrow of the French power that they came completely under English influ- 
ence. During the Revolution the Creeks joined the British, assisting in an 
attack on Wayne's army in 1782. In 1790 they made a friendly treaty, but 
renewed hostilities in 1792. Another treaty was made in 1796, and in 1802 
and 1805 they began to cede lands. Joining the English in the War of 
1812, they attacked Fort Mimms, August 30, 1813, and massacred 400 people. 
They suffered repeated defeats, and were completely overthrown by General 
Jackson at Horseshoe Bend, March 27, 1814. A treaty of peace followed in 
which they surrendered large tracts of land. Early in the century a part 
removed to Louisiana and later to Texas. A treaty was made in 1825 ceding 
more lands, but was repudiated. The nation then divided, one party favor- 
ing emigration, the other opposing it. In 1836 a part aided the Government 
against the Seminoles, but the remainder attacked the frontier towns of 
Georgia and Alabama. General Scott reduced them, and the tribe was 
removed to a reservation between the Arkansas and the Canadian. The 
Civil War divided the tribe, those adhering to the Union being finally 
defeated by the Confederates. In 1866 the Creeks ceded a large tract to 
the Government. 

"Creole" Case. On November 7, 1841, seventeen negroes rose against 
the ofiicers of the brig " Creole," bound from Hampton Roads to New Orleans 
with a cargo of slaves. One of the vessel's owners was killed, and the vessel 
was captured and run into Nassau. Here all were set at liberty except those 
charged with murder. The demand for their surrender, made by the admin- 
istration, was refused by Great Britain, but the matter was finally adjusted 
by the treaty of August 9, 1842. During the progress of negotiations J. R. 
Giddings, of Ohio, offered a series of resolutions which laid down the funda- 
mental positions of the anti-slavery party. 

Creswell, John A. J. (1S28-1891), was a member of Congress from 1863 
to 1865. He was Postmaster-General of the United States from 1869 to 1874. 

Crevecceur, Hector St. John de (1731-1813), an Englishman emigrating 
to America in 1754, who, during the Revolutionary War, was made prisoner 
and exchanged in England. In 1783 he was appointed French Consul at 
New York, and wrote extensively concerning America. 

Crisp, Charles Frederick, of Americus, Ga. , was born in Sheffield, Eng- 
land, in 1845. He served in the Confederate army from 1861 to 1864. In 
1866 he was admitted to the bar, and from 1872 to 1877 was Solicitor-General 
of Georgia. He served as Judge of the Supreme Court of Georgia from 1877 
to 1882, when he resigned and accepted a nomination to Congress, of which 
he was chosen Speaker in 1891 and again in 1893. Died 1896. 

Crittenden, George B. (181 2-1880), son of J. J., a major and lieutenant- 
colonel in the Texan Revolution, joined the Confederates as brigadier-gen- 
eral, and as major-general was defeated in a rash attack upon General Thomas 
at Fishing Creek. 

Crittenden, John Jordan (1787-1863), was in early life a lawyer, Attor- 
ney-General of Illinois Territory, and a soldier in the War of 1812. Few 
Americans have been U. S. Senators at such different periods. Crittenden 



iy6 Dictionary of United States History. 

was in the Senate from Kentucky in 1817-19, and again in 1835-41, 
1842-49, and 1855-61. In the intervals he was a U. S. District Attorney, 
was Attorney-General under Harrison in 1841, and again under Fillmore in 
1850-53. He was a prominent Whig. He supported Bell and Everett in 
i860, and after the election he came forward with the " Crittenden Compro- 
mise " in the vain attempt to avert the impending wai. He sided with the 
North, and in 1861-63 was a member of the House of Representatives 
from Kentucky. 

Crittenden, Thomas L., son of J. J., born in 1815, a lieutenant and aide 
to General Taylor in the Mexican War, was Consul to Liverpool 1849-53 
and served with distinction in the Civil War, commanding a division at 
Shiloh and a corps at Chickaniauga. 

Crittenden Compromise. In i860 Senator John J. Crittenden introduced 
a proposition for a constitutional amendment which would permanently 
divide the Union into a free-state and a slave-state portion, the boundary 
being the line of 36° 30'. The United States was to pay the owner for any 
fugitive slave rescued. The proposition met with no success in Congress. 

Crockett, David (1786-1836), a famous frontiersman, with General Jackson 
in the Creek War, was a member of Congress from 1827 to 1831 and from 
1833 to 1835. He was one of the six survivors at Fort Alamo who were 
massacred by Santa Anna. 

Croghan, George (i 791— 1849), serving as aide, colonel and lieutenant- 
colonel in the War of 181 2, distinguished himself at Fort Meigs and at Fort 
Stephenson. In 1825 he was made inspector-general of the U. S. army. 

Crompton, William, born in 1806, devised a loom for the manufacture of 
fancy cotton goods in 1837, which, since its adaptation to woolens in 1840, 
has been employed almost exclusively. 

Cromwell, Oliver (1599-1658), Lord Protector of England from 1653 to 
1658, was appointed in 1643 one of a board of commissioners for the general 
management of all the English colonies in America. After his elevation he 
proposed to the colonists of Massachusetts that they move to Jamaica, then 
recently conquered (1656). During the war between England and Holland 
he sent at the solicitation of Connecticut a fleet with a land force on board 
for protection against the Dutch settlers, and to take summary possession of 
New Netherland; but the war soon ended. 

Crook, George (1828-1890), commanded the Pitt River expedition in 1857, 
and during service in the Civil War was brevetted lieutenant-colonel and 
commanded the second cavalry division at Chickaniauga. He had charge 
of the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac from March 26, 1865, till the sur- 
render at Appomattox, and from 1866 on was chiefly occupied in quelling 
Indian disturbances. In 1888 he was appointed a major-general of the U. S. 
anny. 

Cross Keys, Va., an indecisive action, June 8, 1862, between 20,000 
Federals under Fremont and Ewell's column of Jackson's army of 17,000 
Confederates, Ewell was reinforced by Taylor and Patton leading a Louisiana 



e>> 



Dictionary of United States History. 

and a Virginia brigade. Fremont's line of battle, a mile and a half long 
was advantageously arranged. The Federals began the battle, advancing 
steadily under a heavy fire, Stahl's Pennsylvania troops faring the worst. 
He was, however, supported by Bohlen, Schenk and Milroy, and thus was 
not compelled to retreat. Taking a strong position on a hill he was 
repeatedly cannonaded by the Confederates, but they were easily driven off 
by his superior batteries. 

Croswell, Edwin (1797-1871), from 1824 to 1854 was editor of the Albany 
Argus^ which became the official organ of the Democratic party, and by 
which the Albany Regency advanced its interests. 

Crown Lands. After the treaty of Paris, in 1763, a royal proclamation 
from Great Britain set aside all lands west of the colonies as " crown lands," 
exclusively under the jurisdiction of the home government, and as reserved 
for the use of the Indians. The colonies were forbidden to make pur- 
chase of, or settlement in, any of this reserved territory' without the royal 
permission. After the Revolution this reserve was claimed by various 
States. 

Crown Point, was fortified by the French in 1731, and, in spite of expedi- 
tions against it in 1755 and 1756, was held by them until 1759. It was then 
abandoned by reason of the fall of Ticonderoga. In 1775, at the beginning 
of the Revolutionary' War, as a part of the scheme to seize the route to 
Canada, and capture the British stores at Ticonderoga (q. v.) and Crown 
Point, Seth Warner was despatched against the latter place. On the morning 
of May 10, while Arnold and Allen were busy at Ticonderoga, Warner seized 
Crown Point, thus gaining possession of more than 200 cannon, and a great 
supply of powder and ball. 

Crowninshield, Benjamin V^. (1772— 1851), of Massachusetts, was Secre- 
tary- of the Navy from 1814, in Madison's, until 1818 in Monroe's Cabinet, 
was a Presidential elector in 1820, and a Democratic member of Congress 
from 1823 to 1831. 

Cuba. In 1849-52 three filibustering expeditions were made against Cuba 
from this countr}'. They were incited by Narcisso Lopez, a South American 
military adventurer, who persuaded Governor Quitman and other Southern 
expansionists that the island was ripe for revolt from Spain and annexation 
to the United States. These expeditions failed, and Lopez was executed by the 
Cuban authorities. Again, in 1854, Southern annexationists attempted to fit 
out an expedition for the capture of Cuba, but were prevented by a timely 
warning from the President. In that year an American steaiuer, the " Black 
Warrior," was seized by the Cuban authorities. Indemnity was demanded 
from Spain, which was accorded finally, but not before the Ostend Manifesto 
had been issued by a conference of our ministers to the English, French and 
Spanish courts, demanding the sale of Cuba by Spain. Subsequent 
attempts to revolutionize Cuba have met with assistance from citizens of the 
United States. In 1873 occurred the " Virginius " affair, which see. In 
1 89 1 the United States made a reciprocity treaty with Spain respecting trade 
with Cuba and Porto Rico. 



178 Dictionary of United States History. 

CuUom, Shelby M., born in 1829, chosen Speaker in the Illinois Legis- 
lature in i860, was a member of the war commission at Cairo in 1862 and a 
member of Congress from 1865 to 187 1. As chairman of the Illinois delegation 
at the Republican convention he placed General Grant in nomination in 1872 
and General Logan in 1884; and from 1883 to 1897 was U. S. Senator. 

CuUum, George W., born in 1809, a graduate, instructor and (1864-66) 
superintendent of the U. S. Military Academy; was from 183S to 1S74 ^ 
engaged largely in Government engineering and during the Civil War was 
brevetted major-general. 

Culpeper, John, leader of an insurrection in the Northern colony of the 
Carolinas in favor of popular liberty in 1678. While in England negotiating 
for the new government he was indicted for high treason, but was acquitted. 

Culpeper,. Thomas, Lord, in 1673 received an exclusive grant from 
Charles II. for thirty-one years of the territory of Virginia and in 1675 was 
proclaimed Governor for life, coming to this country in 1680. He forfeited 
his commission in 1683 by returning to England without royal permission 
and by political corruption. Lord Fairfax, patron of Washington, was his 
heir. 

Cumberland, Fort. This fort was erected in Maryland at the instance 
of General Braddock in 1755 during his fatal expedition against the French 
Fort Duquesne. Colonel James Innes was left in command with a small force 
and thither Braddock's forces fled after their defeat by the French and Indians. 
Colonel Washington afterward commanded the fort, to protect the settlers 
from Indian raids. — In 1755, Fort Beausejour on the Maine frontier, which 
had been built by the French in 1754, was captured by English troops and 
the name changed to Fort Cumberland. 

Cumberland Gap, Tenn. , captured by the Nationals under Morgan during 
the battle of Chattanooga and afterward abandoned. It was occupied by 
the Confederates in 1863, and from it General Frazier commanding 2000 
men was dislodged by 8000 Federals under Bumside. Frazier held out for 
four days, but his provisions gave out and Burnside was reinforced by 
Shackleford's brigade. Frazier surrendered September 9. 

Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This denomination was a develop- 
ment of the " Great Western Revival of 1800." The Presbyter>' in Ken- 
tucky appointed lay preachers, who were said to be illiterate and unsound in 
doctrine. The suspension of these by the synod resulted in a schism in 
181 1 and the formation of the above named sect. In the main it is an 
attempt to steer between the Calvinism of the Presbyterians and the Armin- 
ianism of the Methodists. They now number over 165,000 members, largely 
confined to the South. 

Cumberland Road. (See National Road.) 

Curry, George L. (1S20-1878), in 1846 established the Oregon Spectator^ 
the first paper published on the Pacific coast, and in 1848 founded the Oregon 
Free Press. He was Governor of Oregon from 1854 to 1859, 



Dictionary of United States History. 



179 



Curtin, Andrew G., born in Pennsylvania in 1815, a Presidential elector 
in 1848, and Governor of Pennsylvania from 1861 to 1865. He was one of 
the " war governors " who supported the National Government, and furnished 
25,000 men known as the "Pennsylvania Reserve." He was appointed 
Minister to Russia in 1869 and was elected to Congress by the Democratic 
party, serving from 1881 to 1887. Died 1894. 

Curtin, Jeremiah, linguist, bom in Wisconsin in 1835; was appointed 
Secretary of the U. S. Legation to Russia in 1864. Since 18S8 he has ren- 
dered valuable assistance to the Bureau of Ethnology of the United States. 
He is noted as a translator of Polish historical novels. 

Curtis, Benjamin R. (1809-1874), appointed to the U. S. Supreme Court 
in 1 85 1 by President Fillmore, dissented in the Dred Scott case and resigned 
in 1857. He was one of the counsel for President Johnson in the impeach- 
ment trial of 1868. 

Curtis, George Ticknor (1812-1894), a Boston lawyer from 1836 to 1862, 
when he removed to New York, was largely engaged in professional and 
historical investigations, and published many valuable woiks, among them 
being " Commentaries on the Jurisprudence, Practice and Peculiar Jurisdiction 
of the Courts of the United States " and a " History of the Origin, Formation 
and Adoption of the Constitution of the United States," and the first volume 
of a " Constitutional History of the United States." 

Curtis, George William (1824-1892), was in early life a member of the 
famous Brook Farm community, a European traveling correspondent of the 
New York Tribune^ and an editor of Putnam^ s Monthly. His later reputa- 
tion rests on four forms of achievement: as an eloquent and cultured lyceum 
lecturer and platform orator; as the author of several books, including 
" Nile Notes," " Lotus Eating," " Prue and I," " Trumps," " Potiphar 
Papers," etc.; as an editor of Harper'' s Weekly and the writer of " Easy 
Chair " of Harper'' s Magazine^ and as a politician. He was a noted dele- 
gate in the Republican National Conventions of i860, 1880 and 1884. He 
was identified with civil service reform from the start, and was by Presi- 
dent Grant appointed in 187 1 a commissioner for the purpose of drawing up 
rules. The National Civil Service Reform League was largely his work. 

Curtis, Samuel R. (1807-1866), an Ohio lawyer from 1841 to 1846, 
became adjutant-general of militia in 1846, and in the Mexican War com- 
manded at Camarago against General Urrea. He was a Congressman from 
Iowa from 1857 to 1861, when he was commissioned brigadier-general and 
gained a great victory at Pea Ridge, Ark. He commanded Fort Leaven- 
worth during the Price raid in 1864, and was U. S. Commissioner to nego- 
tiate Indian treaties. 

Cushing, Caleb (1800-1879), graduated at Harvard and rose to eminence 
at the Massachusetts bar. He was a Representative from Massachusetts in 
Congress in 1835-43, having been a Whig and, from Tyler's time, a Demo- 
crat. He was a U. S. Commissioner to China, a brigadier-general in the 
Mexican War, and an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Massachusetts. 
In 1853-57 he was a member of Pierce's Cabinet as Attorney-General. In 



iSo Dictionary of United States History. 

iS6o he presided over the Democratic National Convention which met at 
Charleston. His high reputation as a law}cr led to his appointment as U. S. 
counsel before the Geneva Tribunal of 1872, and to his nomination by 
Grant as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He failed of confirmation to 
the latter office, and was sent as U. S. Minister to Spain in 1874, where he 
remained until 1877. 

Gushing, Frank H., born in 1857, was chosen curator of the Ethnological 
Department of the National Museum in 1876, and from 1879 to 1884 lived 
among the Zufii Indians, studying their language, habits and histor\', the 
results of which he has published. 

Gushing, Luther S. (1803-1856), from 1832 to 1846 clerk of the Alassa- 
chusetts House of Representatives, was reporter of the Massachusetts Supreme 
Court decisions from 1850 to 1856. He was author of " Cushing's Manual 
of Parliamentary Practice." 

Gushing, Thomas (1725-1788) from 1766 to 1774 Speaker of the Massa- 
chusetts Assembly, was elected to the first and second Continental Con- 
gresses, and was a member of the convention that ratified the Federal 
Constitution in 1788. From 1783 to 1788 he was Lieutenant-Governor of 
Massachusetts. 

Gushing, William (1732-1810), Judge of the Massachusetts Superior Court 
in 1772, Chief Justice in 1777 and the first Chief Justice under the State 
Constitution in 1780, was Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 
1789 to 1810. 

Gushing, William B. (i 842-1 874), in 1861 captured the first prize of the 
war, and in 1864 by extraordinary boldness destroyed the Confederate iron- 
clad " Albemarle." He was promoted lieutenant-colonel and distinguished 
himself at Fort Fisher. 

Gushman, Gharlotte S. (1816-1876), a noted American actress, was born in 
Boston. She was a very successful actress in historical plays and from 1870 
developed marked abilities as a dramatic reader. 

Gushman, Robert (i 580-1625), was active in preparing for the departure 
of the Pilgrims and acted as their English agent till 1621, when he came to 
America and preached the first sermon in America which was ever pub- 
lished. 

Custer, George Armstrong (i 839-1 876), born in Ohio, sen,'ed throughout 
the Civil War and distinguished himself at Gett3-sburg as commander of the 
Michigan brigade, also winning fame at Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar 
Creek, Waynesboro, Five Forks and Dinwiddle Court House. In 1876, 
being then a general in the regular army, he was overpowered by the Sioux 
Indians at the Little Big Horn River, and his entire command was slain. 

Gustis, George W. P. (1781-1S57), grandson of Mrs. Washington, until 
1802 a member of Washington's family, erected the Arlington House. It is 
now national property, and his estate is the site of a soldiers' cemetery. 

Gustoms Revenue. For the laws relating to the customs, see art. Tariff. 
The Continental Congress desired to have a revenue from customs, but the 



Dictionary of United States History. i8i 

States would not all agree to this. From 1789 on, a great part of the reve- 
nue of the Government has been derived from this source, about five-sixths 
from 1789 to 1830, except in war-time, sometimes more than nine-tenths in 
the period from 1837 to 1861, and from one-half to three-fifths in the period 
since 1868. At first amounting to about $3,000,000 per annum, customs 
have of recent years averaged about $200,000,000. 

Cutler, Manasseh (1742-1823), a clergyman, was born in Connecticut. 
During the Revolutionary War he served as chaplain, and in 1786 was agent 
for the Ohio company which founded Marietta. He drafted for Nathan 
Dane the Ordinance of 1787 which excluded slavery from the Northwest 
Territory, and was a Massachusetts Federal Congressman from 1801 to 1805. 

Cuttyhunk, Mass., discovered May 25, 1602, by Bartholomew Gosnold, 
who made a settlement there and erected a house and palisades. 

" Cyane," ship. (See " Constitution.") 

Cynthiana, Ky., burned during the Civil War by the Confederate guerrilla 
Morgan, June 10, 1864. Morgan also, with 2000 Confederates, defeated 600 
Federals under Burbridge and Hobson, but was, June 12, defeated in return 
by them at Cynthiana. 

D. 

Dabney's Mills, Va. Here, during Grant's and Lee's campaigns about 
Richmond and Petersburg, in 1865, there occurred, February 6 and 7, some 
severe skirmishing between Crawford's division of Warren's Federal corps 
and a Confederate force under Pegram. The Federal leaders were endeav- 
oring to lengthen their line toward Hatcher's Run when Pegram fell upon 
them. The Confederates were defeated and Pegram was killed. 

Dacres, James R. {1788— 1853), British naval officer, commanded the 
"Guerriere" when it was beaten by the " Constitution," August 19, 181 2. 
Later, commanding the " Tiber," he captured the " Leo " in March, 1815. 

Dade, Francis L., born in Virginia, a lieutenant, captain and, in 1828, a 
brevet-major in the U. S. army, was killed in a treacherous attack of the 
Seminole Indians, in 1835, near Fort King, Florida. 

Dahlgren, John Adolph (1809-1870), entered the U. S. navy at an 
early age. He became noted as the designer of the improved Dahlgren 
cannon. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was assigned to the command 
of the Navy Yard at Washington. He was naturally made chief of the 
ordnance bureau, was promoted to be rear-admiral, and commanded in the 
attack on the Charleston defences in 1863. His last important ser\'ice was 
in co-operation with General Sherman, in the taking of Savannah, in 1864. 

Dale, Richard (1756-1826), was first lieutenant on the " Bon Homme 
Richard," and served with Paul Jones on the "Alliance " and the "Ariel." 
He commanded the Mediterranean Squadron during the troubles with Tripoli. 

Dale, Samuel (1772-1841), a U. S. army scout in 1793, commanded a 
battalion against the Creeks in 1814. He was appointed with Colonel George 



1 82 Dictionary of United States History. 

S. Gaines to remove the Choctaw Indians to their reservation on the 
Arkansas and Red Rivers. 

Dale, Sir Thomas, died in 1620. He was sent as Governor to Virginia, 
and established there a military government. He was succeeded by Sir 
Thomas Gates, from 1611 to 161 4, when he resumed the government, and 
held it till 1616. 

Dallas, Alexander James (1759-1817) born in Jamaica, took the oath of 
allegiance to Pennsylvania in 1783, and was U. S. District Attorney from 
1801 to 1814, when he became Secretary' of the Treasury in Madison's 
Cabinet. On his suggestion the Second National Bank was incorporated in 
181 6, and to his efforts is largely due the financial success of the U. S. 
Government from 1814 to 181 7. 

Dallas, George Mifflin (1792-1864), Vice-President of the United States, 
had a training in diplomacy and law, was mayor of Philadelphia, and district 
attorney. From 1831 to 1833 he was U. S. Senator from Pennsylvania, and 
was Attorney-General of the State in the two succeeding j'cars. In 1837—39 
he was U. S. Minister to Russia. When Polk was nominated by the Demo- 
crats in 1844, Dallas received the second honor, as a kind of protectionist 
gift to hold Pennsylvania. They were elected, and Dallas served as Vice- 
President 1845—49. In spite of his supposed protectionist leanings Dallas 
gave the casting vote in the Senate in favor of the Walker Tariff of 1846. 
His last public office was that of Minister to England in 1856-61. 

Dallas-Clarendon Treaty. A treaty arranged in England in 1856, to 
adjust difficulties between Great Britain and the United States respecting 
Central America, arising under the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. It was not 
ratified by the Senate. 

Dallas' Reports. Law reports by A. J. Dallas of cases from all inferior 
State Courts and all United States Courts sitting in Philadelphia and from 
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; in four volumes, covering the period 
from 1754 to 1806 (Supreme Court, 1790-1800). Also cases in Federal Court 
of Appeals 1781-87. The series of reports of the U. S. Supreme Court 
begins with 2 Dallas. 

Dallas (Vicinity), Ga., a four daj's' fight between Johnston's and Sher- 
man's armies, during the latter's advance upon Atlanta in 1864. The 
fighting took place May 25 to 29. The Confederates, about 40,000 strong, 
were under the immediate command of Hardee, and lay entrenched about 
Dallas. McPherson attacked them with 20,000 Federals. Schofield was 
ordered to flank the Confederate right, but as he made this attempt Johnston 
himself struck heavily upon McPherson's main command. However, the 
Federals moved to the left along the Confederate front and gained the Alla- 
toona Pass. Johnston was thus forced to leave his intrenchments and retire, 
May 29. 

Dana, Charles A., born in 1819, from 1848 to 1862 managing editor of 
the Nezv York Tribune, edited by Horace Greeley; was appointed Assistant 
Secretary of War in 1863, and in 1 867-1 868 organized and became editor of 
the New York Sun. 



Dictionary of United States History. 183 

Dana, Francis (1743-1811), a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental 
Congress in 1776, was Congressman in 1778 and secretary to the embassy of 
John Adams in 1779. He was Minister to Russia from 1780 to 1783. In 
1785 he was made Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, and was 
a delegate to the Annapolis Convention in 1786, and Chief Justice of Mas- 
sachusetts from 1791 to 1806. 

Dana, James Dwight, professor in Yale University, born in 1813, made 
extensive reports, geological and other, upon material collected in a United 
States expedition to the Southern and Pacific Oceans, and in 1850 became 
associate editor of the American Journal of Science and Art, of which he 
is now editor. 

Dana, Richard H. (1787-1879), admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 
181 1, was one of the projectors of the North American Rcviciv in 1815, and 
associate editor till 1821; he wrote poems, of which "The Buccaneer" is 
the most noted. 

Dana, Richard H., 2d (1815-1882), contributed largely to legal publica- 
tions. He was author of "Two Years Before the Mast," a popular book, 
and revised " Wheaton's International Law," bringing it up to 1866. 

Dane, Nathan (1752-1835), a delegate to the Continental Congresses from 
1785 to 1788, was the framer of the celebrated Ordinance of 1787 for the 
government of the Northwest Territory. In 181 1 he was appointed to 
revise and publish the charters of Massachusetts, and in 181 2 to publish the 
statutes. He was a delegate to the Hartford Convention in 18 14. 

Daniel, John W., Senator and orator, born im Virginia in 1842, a Confed- 
erate adjutant-general, was Representative from Virginia from 1885 to 1887, 
and Senator from 1887 to the present time (1897). 

Daniel, Peter V. (1784-1860), was a member of the Virginia Privy 
Council from 181 2 to 1835. He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court 
from 1 841 to i860. 

Daniel, ^Villiam, of Maryland, was bom in 1826. He was prominent in 
Maryland prohibition movements, a delegate to the State convention for the 
emancipation of slaves in 1864, and a candidate for Vice-President on the 
Prohibition ticket in 1884. 

Darbytown Road, Va. Along this highway there occurred, during the 
campaign around Richmond and Petersburg, three brief fights Ijetween the 
Federals and Confederates. In the first, July 29, 1864, Hancock's corps of 
Grant's army, having been sent to co-operate in the mine explosion of Peters- 
burg, met and defeated a large force of Confederates, Gregg's and Kautz's 
cavalry bearing the brunt of the fight. Again, October 7, Kautz's cavalry 
was defeated with heavy loss along the Darbytown road; many Federals 
were killed and wounded and nine pieces of artillery were lost. October 13 
Butler endeavored to drive the Confederates from some new works he was 
constructing along this road. The Tenth Corps took the chief part in this 
engagement and were badly defeated, so Butler desisted from the work. 



1 84 Dictionary of United States History. 

Dare, Virginia, born in 1587 at Roanoke, Va., (N. C), was the first EnglislT 
child born in the New World. She was the granddaughter of John White> 
Governor of the colony sent out by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1587. 

Darling, Fort. (See Drewry's Bluff.) 

Dartmoor Massacre, a massacre of a number of American sailors captured 
during the Revolution and confined in Dartmoor Prison, in Devonshire, 
England. It occurred April 6, 181 5. In the prison were 6000 Americans 
and 10,000 Frenchmen. The former becoming impatient for their liberty, 
since the war was then long ended, attempted to escape. They were set 
upon by the guards and a number of them were killed. An investigation of 
the matter was made and the British Government offered ample satisfaction. 

Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H., was fovmded by Congregationalists, 
and chartered in 1769. It is famous in constitutional history for having sup- 
plied the test case as to whether the State Legislature had the power to dis- 
solve private trusts. It originated out of a school for Indians established at 
Lebanon, Conn., by Rev. Eleazar Wheelock. His son, John Wheelock, suc- 
ceeded him in the presidency. Daniel Webster was graduated here in 1802. 
The Medical School was founded in 1797, the Chandler Scientific School in 
1852, the New Hampshire College of Agriculture in 1868. 

Dartmouth College vs. Woodward, a celebrated case brought to the 
Supreme Court of the United States upon writ of error from the Superior 
Court of the State of New Hampshire, and decided in 1819. William Wood- 
ward had been appointed secretary and treasurer of the corporation of Dart- 
mouth College by the trustees of the college, twelve in number, as 
designated by the ancient charter granted by George HI. in 1769 to Gov- 
ernor Wentworth, Eleazar Wheelock and ten others. Woodward was 
removed from office by the trustees Augi:st 27, 1S16, and refused to give 
up certain goods, chattels and property then in his keeping, but belonging 
to Dartmouth College. On June 27, 1816, the New Hampshire Legislature, 
under the influence of the Democrats, had passed an act amending the char- 
ter and enlarging and altering the (Federalist) corporation of Dartmouth 
College; that is, the number of trustees was increased to twenty-one, there 
were twenty-five special overseers appointed, and the State was to have a 
general supervision of the affairs of the college. This act, and a similar one, 
passed December 26, 1816, to enforce the first, were wholly repugnant to 
the trustees, who refused to obey them. William Woodward had been 
appointed secretary and treasurer of the new board of twenty-one trustees 
selected by the State. Suit was brought against him by the old trustees to 
recover the property of the college then in his keeping. The Superior Court 
of New Hampshire gave a verdict for the defendant. The U. S. Supreme 
Court reversed and annulled this decision, allowing the plaintiffs $20,000 
damages. It was decided by the court that the " charter of Dartmouth College 
is a contract within the meaning of that clause of the Constitution which 
prohibits the States from passing any law impairing the obligation of con- 
tracts." Hence the New Hampshire law was declared unconstitutional. 
Daniel Webster was chief counsel for the plaintiff. 



Dictionary of United States History. 185 

Daughters of Liberty, a society of women formed in Boston in 1769-70, 
who pledged themselves not to bny goods from British importers and shop- 
keepers, and to help on the cause of liberty. 

Daughters of the American Revolution, a society of the female descend- 
ants of distinguished soldiers, sailors and patriots of the Revolution, organized 
at Washington October 11, 1890. There are now twenty-odd State branches. 

Davenport, John (1597-1670), an English clergyman, who emigrated to 
Boston in 1637. In 1638 he founded New Haven, of which colony for thirty 
years he was minister, and a chief member of the government. Since none 
except members of the church were burgesses, he had great power and 
influence. 

Davie, William R. (i 756-1 820), born in England, arrived in America in 
1763. He commanded at Stono Ferry in 1779, and in 1781 was appointed 
commissary-general of the Southern army. He was a member of the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1787 from North Carolina, and of the special 
embassy to France in 1799. He was prominent among the North Carolina 
Federalists. 

Daviess, Joseph H. (1774-1811), was killed at Tippecanoe. While U. S. 
Attorney for Kentucky be advocated the trial of Aaron Burr in 1806 on a 
charge of unauthorized warfare which could not be sustained and brought 
him into disfavor. 

Davis, Charles H. (1807— 1877), ionwA&r oi i\\Q American Nautical Almanac, 
was connected with the U. S. navy from 1823 to 1867. In 1862 he was chief 
of the board of navigation, and commanded the Mississippi flotilla, and was 
superintendent of the naval observatory from 1865 to 1867 and from 1870 
to 1877. 

Davis, David (1815-18S6), jurist, graduated at Kenyon College in Ohio, 
and settled to the practice of law at Blooinington, 111. He was a member 
of the Illinois Legislature, a State judge, and an intimate friend of Abraham 
Lincoln. He was a delegate to the Republica,n National Convention at 
Chicago in i860. President Lincoln appointed him an Associate Justice of 
the Supreme Court, where he remained from 1862 to 1877, being in the 
latter year a member of the Electoral Commission. His reform tendencies 
had, meanwhile, made him the candidate for President, in 1872, of the 
Labor Reform party, and brought him some votes at the Liberal Republican 
Convention in the same year. In 187 7-1 883 he was U. S. Senator from 
Illinois, and at one time president of the Senate. While in that body he 
was classed as an Independent, though he acted frequently with the 
Democrats. 

Davis, Edwin H. (1811-1888), physician from 1838 to 1850, has made 
extensive exploration of ancient mounds, the report of which was the first 
scientific publication of the Smithsonian Institute. 

Davis, Henry Winter (1817-1865), was born in Marjdand. He attained 
considerable celebrity as a lawyer, and was elected to the Congress of the 
United States as a Democrat, serving from 1855 to 1861, and decided a tie 



1 86 Dictionary of United States History. 

vote for Speaker, in 1859, by voting for Mr. Pennington, the Republican candi- 
date. He was again a member of Congress from 1863 to 1865, and served 
as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Though representing a 
slave State, he was an ardent advocate of emancipation and negro suffrage, 
but opposed the assumption of extraordinary powers by the executive. 

Davis, Jefferson (June 3, 1808-December 6, 1889), President of the 
Southern Confederacy, was born in Kentucky, and graduated at West Point 
in 1828. He saw some service in the Black Hawk War, but resigned from 
the army and became a cotton planter in Mississippi. He represented tliat 
State in Congress in 1845-46, but left Congress to take part as colonel in the 
Mexican War. In the storm of Monterey and the battle of Buena Vista he 
distinguished himself and was straightway chosen to the U. S. Senate, where 
he served 1847—51 and 1857-61. In 1851 he ran unsuccessfully as the States- 
rights candidate for Governor of ^Mississippi. In President Pierce's admin- 
istration Mr. Davis was the Secretary of War 1853-57. ^^ ^^^^ become one 
of the Southern leaders, received some votes for the Democratic nomination 
for President in i860, and in January, 1861, he left the U. S. Senate. He was 
thereupon elected provisional President of the Confederacy February 9, 1861, 
and was inaugurated February 18. In November of the same year he was 
elected President and was inaugurated February 22, 1862. From the second 
year of the war till the close many of his acts were severely criticised in the 
South itself Many Southerners admit that President Davis' actions, espe- 
cially his interference in military matters, impaired the prospects of success. 
Au instance in point was his removal of General J. E. Johnston from com- 
mand in 1864. Early in 1865 he conducted unsuccessful negotiations for 
peace. On the second of April the successes of Grant's army obliged Presi- 
dent Davis to leave Richmond; he took the train for Danville, and after 
consultation proceeded southward and was captured by the Federals near 
Irwinsville, Ga., May 10, 1865. Until 1867 he was confined as a prisoner 
in Fort Monroe. He was in 1866 indicted for treason, released on bail 
the following year, and the trial was dropped. He passed the remainder of 
his life at Memphis and later in Mississippi, dying in New Orleans. He is 
the author of " Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government," two volumes. 
There are lives by Pollard and Alfriend. 

Davis, Jefferson C. (1828-1879), Federal general, after serving during the 
Mexican War, was in Fort Sumter at the time of the bombardment in 1861, 
served with distinction at Pea Ridge and Stone River, and commanded a corps 
in Sherman's march through Georgia. 

Davis, John (1550— 1605), an English navigator, in 1585, 1586 and 1587 
made attempts to discover a northwest passage, penetrating as far as the strait 
which bears his name. 

Davis, John (1787-1854), was a National Republican Congressman from 
1825 to 1834, when he became Governor of Massachusetts. From 1835 
to 1840 he was a U. S. Senator, and opposed the administrations of Jackson 
and Van Buren. After again serving as Governor from 1840 to 1 841, he 
was returned to the Senate from 1845 to 1853. He opposed the Mexican 



Dictionary of United States History. 187 

War and the introduction and extension of slavery, and received the appel- 
lation of " Honest John Davis." 

Davis, John C. Bancroft, jurist, was born in Massachusetts in 1822. From 
1869 to 1871, from 1873 to 1875, and in 1881 he was Assistant Secretary of 
State of the United States. In 1871 he represented the U. S. Government in 
the arbitration of the " Alabama " claims at Geneva, having been secretary' of 
the commission concluding the Treaty of Washington. From 1877 to 1881 
he was a Judge of the U. S. Court of Claims, and in 1883 became reporter 
of the U. S. Supreme Court. 

Davis, John W. (1799-1859), was Speaker of the Indiana Legislature in 
1832 and a Democratic U. S. Congressman from 1835 to 1837, 1839 to 

1841 and from 1843 to 1847. He was Speaker of the House from 1845 to 
1847, and U. S. Commissioner to China from 1848 to 1850. 

Davis, Noah, born in 1818, was a Judge of the Supreme Court for the 
Eighth Judicial District from 1857 to 1868 and a U. S. Representative from 
1869 to 1870, when he became U. S. Attorney for Southern New York. 
From 1872 to 1887 he was a Justice of the New York Supreme Court, 
becoming Presiding Justice in 1874. 

Dawes, Henry L., born in 1816, was a member of the ]\Iassachusetts Con- 
stitutional Convention in 1853. He was a Representative from Massachu- 
setts from 1857 to 1873, and succeeded Charles Sumner in the Senate in 
1875 and served till 1893. -^^ '^^^^ for a time chairman of the Waj's and 
Means Committee in the House, and has been prominent in legislation for 
the tariflF and for Indian education. 

Dawson, Henry B., born in England in 1821, arrived in America in 1834 
and from 1840 was editor and publisher of many historical writings and 
much engaged in newspaper work. In 1863 he published his edition of the 
Federalist. For many years he edited the Historical Magazine. 

Day, Jeremiah (1773-1867), clergj'man, was a professor at Yale fiom 1803 
to 1817, when he was made president, serving till 1846. He was the author 
of many educational works. 

Dayton, Jonathan (i 760-1 824), was born in New Jersey. In 1776 he 
entered the Continental army, in which he held nimierous commissions, and 
under Lafayette commanded at Yorktown. In 1783 he was elected to the 
Legislature, and was made Speaker in 1790. In 1787 he was a delegate to 
the convention which framed the Federal Constitution. He was elected 
U. S. Congressman from New Jersey, serving from 1791 to 1799, being chosen 
Speaker of the House from 1795 to 1799, and was a U. S. Senator from 1799 
to 1805. A friend of Burr, he had a part in Burr's conspiracy of 1807. 

Dayton, William L. (1807-1864), a U. S. Senator from New Jersey from 

1842 to 1851, was candidate for Vice-President in 1856 on the Republican 
ticket, and was Attorney-General for New Jersey from 1857 to 1861, when he 
was appointed Minister to France, where he served during the Civil War, 
till his death. 



1 88 Dictionary of United States History. 

Deane, Charles (1813-1889), born in Maine, the author of many historical 
writings and owner of a very valuable library on early New England history, 
was eminent for his learning and sagacity in that field. 

Deane, Silas (1737-1789), born in Groton, Conn., died in Deal, England. 
He was a member of the Connecticut Committee of Correspondence, and 
afterward a Representative in the Continental Congress. In 1776 he was 
sent to France to purchase supplies for the Confederacy. Vergennes, the 
French Minister of Foreign Affairs, referred him to Beaumarchais, a secret 
agent of the French Government, and with him Deane negotiated. He was 
accused of extravagance and dishonesty, chiefly by his colleague, Arthur 
Eee. Deane, Lee and Franklin negotiated treaties of amity and commerce 
with France, which were signed February 6, 1778. Deane was recalled the 
same year at the instigation of Dee. Congress refused him a hearing for 
some time and finally required a full statement. Returning to France for 
the necessary papers, he found himself unpopular there, and had to retire 
to Holland. He died just as he was re-embarking from England for America 
in 1789. 

Dearborn, Henry (i 751-1829), a captain at Bunker Hill, distinguished 
himself at the battles of Stillwater, Saratoga and Monmouth. He became 
major-general in 1795. He was a U. S. Congressman from 1793 to 1797, and 
Secretary of War in Jefierson's Cabinet from 1801 to 1809. From 1822 to 
1824 he was Minister to Portugal. 

Dearborn, Fort (Chicago), was evacuated August 15, 1812, by orders of 
General Hull; burned next day. The Americans while retreating were 
attacked by hostile Indians, and two-thirds of their number massacred, 
including twelve children. The sur\dvors surrendered on promise of safety, 
were taken to Fort Mackinaw, and finally were sent back to their homes. 

Deatonsville, Va. Near this place the Confederate army under Lee, 
while in full retreat from Petersburg, at the close of the last campaign about 
that city and Richmond, was struck April 6, 1864, by Crook, commanding 
the left of Sheridan's pursuing forces. Crook's forces were repulsed by 
superior numbers, but his assault enabled Custer to join him and attack Lee 
a little further on at Sailor's Creek. Ewell's forces were cut off and com- 
pelled to surrender. 

De Bow, James D. B. (1820-1867), of South Carolina, statistician, a 
voluminous writer of magazine articles upon economics and finance, was 
appointed Superintendent of the Census from 1853 to 1855. 

Debt. At the installation of the new Government in 1789, the foreign 
debt amounted to $13,000,000, the domestic debt to $42,000,000, and Ham- 
ilton also persuaded the Congress to assume State debts contracted in the 
Revolution to the amount of $21,500,000 more. It was then funded. In 
1796 it amounted in the total to $83,800,000. It then began to be reduced 
and, though raised by the expenditures for the Louisiana purchase, was 
brought down to $45,200,000 in 181 2 by the skillful management of Ham- 
ilton and Gallatin successively. The War of 181 2 brought it up to $127,- 
000,000 in 1816, but the abounding prosperity of the country enabled the 



Dictionary of United States History. i8g 

Oovemment to pay it all off, virtually, by 1S35. It then grew again. The 
Mexican War brought it up from $15,600,000 to $68,300,000, whence it 
again declined to $28,700,000 in 1857. The Civil War required not only 
heavy and almost indiscriminate taxation but enormous loans, so that the 
debt on the thirty-first of August, 1865, amounted to $2,845,000,000. Suc- 
cessful efforts to refund at lower rates of interest, together with the pros- 
perity of the country and the great revenue from customs, enabled the debt 
to be reduced to $2,000,000,000 in 1878, if cash in the Treasury' be sub- 
tracted, to $1,500,000,000 in 1883, and to $1,000,000,000 in 1889. On 
November i, 1893, the total debt, less cash in the Treasury, amounted to 
$820,109,339. 

Debts, British. At the outbreak of the Revolution, many Americans 
owed money to British citizens, merchants and others. The Treaty of 1783 
provided for their payment. But many obstacles were thrown in the way, 
State governments having provided, or even providing after the ratification 
of the treaty, that they might be paid into the treasury of the State, which 
would then refuse to entertain suits on the part of the creditors. The appre- 
hension that a Federal judiciary would compel these debts to be paid was 
one cause of opposition to the Constitution of 1787. In 1796, in the case 
of Ware vs. Hylton, the Supreme Court decided that such debts must 
be paid. 

Decatur, Stephen (1779-1820), was born in MarA'land. He began service 
in the U. S. navy on the "United States" in 1798, and in 1803 commanded 
the " Argus," and later the " Enterprise." In 1804 he distinguished himself 
bj' successfully destroying the " Philadelphia," which had fallen into the 
possession of Tripoli. In 1812, on the "United States," while commanding 
an Atlantic squadron, he captured the British ship " Macedonian," and in 
1814, after a stubborn battle, was compelled to surrender the unseaworthy 
ship " President." In 181 5, with ten vessels, he humbled the Barbary 
powers, and concluded a treaty by which tribute was abolished and prisoners 
and property were restored. He was one of the navy commissioners from 
1816 to 1820, when he was killed by Commodore Barron in a duel. 

Declaration of Independence. Absolute separation from Great Britain 
was not at first contemplated by the colonies. New England favored it, but 
the Southern States were opposed. The transfer of the war to the south- 
ward in ]\Iay and June, 1776, brought them to this view. The North Caro- 
lina Convention took the first step toward independence by a resolution " to 
concur with those in the other colonies in declaring independence," April 
22, 1776. Virginia, May 17, 1776, prepared the title of the document by 
■directing her Representatives to propose in Congress a " Declaration of Inde- 
pendence." Such a resolution was offered by Richard Henr\^ Lee, June 7, 
1776. This resolution was adopted Juh' 2. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston were the 
committee appointed to draft the Declaration. The draft was formulated 
almost entirely by Jefferson. Before July i, Pennsylvania, Maryland and 
New Jersey had instructed their delegates to vote against the Declaration. 
This instruction was rescinded, South Carolina came over to the majority, 



I go 



Dictionary of United States History. 



and Delaware's vote, at first divided, was in the affirmative. The Declara- 
tion was, therefore, adopted by the unanimous vote of twelve States, New 
York alone not voting, July 4, 1776. The New York Convention afterward 
ratified the Declaration. The engrossed copy was signed on August 2. The 
Declaration sets forth the rights of man and of the colonists, enumerates 
their grievances against the British Government, and declares " that these 
united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." 

Declaration of Independence, Signers of. 



New Hampshire. 

Josiah Bartlett, 
William Whipple, 
Matthew Thornton. 

Massachusetts. 

John Hancock, 
Samuel Adams, 
John Adams, 
Robert Treat Paine, 
Elbridge Gerry. 

Rhode Island. 

Stephen Hopkins, 
William EUery. 

Connecticut. 

Roger Sherman, 
Samuel Huntingdon, 
William Williams, 
Oliver Wolcott. 

New York. 

William Floyd, 
Philip Livingston, 
Francis Lewis, 
Lewis Morris. 

New Jersey, 

Richard Stockton, 
John Witherspoon, 
Francis Hopkinson, 
John Hart, 
Abraham Clark. 

Pennsylvania. 

Robert Morris, 
Benjamin Rush, 
Benjamin Franklin, 
John Morton, 



George Clymer, 
James Smith, 
George Taylor, 
James Wilson, 
George Ross. 

Delaware. 

Csesar Rodney, 
George Read, 
Thomas M'Kean. 

Maryland, 

Samuel Chase, 

William Paca, 

Thomas Stone, 

Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. 

Virginia. 

George Wythe, 
Richard Henry Lee, 
Thomas Jefferson, 
Benjamin Harrison, 
Thomas Nelson, Jr., 
Francis Lightfoot Lee, 
Carter Braxton. 

North Carolina. 

William Hooper, 
Joseph Hewes, 
John Penn. 

South Carolina, 

Edward Rutledge, 
Thomas Hey ward, Jr., 
Thomas Lynch, Jr., 
Arthur Middleton. 

Georgia. 

Button Gwinnett, 
Lyman Hall, 
Geor2:e Walton. 






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Dictionary of United States History. 191 

Declaration of Rights. In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress published a 
"Declaration of Rights and Grievances of the Colonists of America," in 
which they protested against the Stamp Act and all efforts to tax them in a 
Parliament in which they could not be represented, and claimed for them- 
selves all the rights of British subjects. A similar declaration of rights was 
issued by the Continental Congress of 1774, adapted to meet also the aggres- 
sive acts which had more recently been passed by Parliament. Another 
such was included in the Declaration of Independence. For the statements 
of the rights of the individual as over against his government which accom- 
panied most of the new Constitutions of this period, see Bills of Rights. 

Declaratory Act, an act passed by Parliament, March 7, 1766, vindi- 
cating the previous enactments affecting the colonies, and declaring that the 
king, with the advice of Parliament, had full power to make laws binding 
America in any cases whatsoever. This law accompanied the repeal of the 
Stamp Act. 

Decoration Day, known as " Memorial Day " in the Southern States. The 
custom that led up to it originated in the South before the close of the Civil 
War. Early in the spring of each year the Southern women were in the 
habit of decorating the graves of their dead soldiers with flowers, and thus 
an unwritten law fixed May 30 as the day of observance. Similar observ- 
ances had been inaugurated in the North with no especial unanimity. May 
5, 1868, General John A. Logan, then commander-in-chief of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, issued an order fixing May 30 of that year for strewing with 
flowers the graves of dead soldiers. There has been no Federal legislation 
regarding Decoration Day, but many States have made it a legal holiday. 

Deep Bottom, Va., selected by Butler during the campaigning around Rich- 
mond and Petersburg in 1864 as a position from which to threaten Lee. A 
lodgment was effected there June 21, and Foster was there posted with a 
strong force. Lee, fearing this position, made several ineffectual attempts 
to secure it, and at last Grant ordered a counter attack on July 26 and 27. 
Hancock turned the Confederates' advance position while Foster feinted an 
attack upon his front. The plan worked so successfully that Miles' brigade 
outflanked the Confederates' outpost and carried away four guns. Lee fell 
back to Bailev's Creek, but continued to hold his strong defensive work at 
Chapin's Bluff. 

Deerfield, Mass., was first settled in 1670. During King Philip's War 
a company under Captain Lothrop was attacked at Bloody Brook, in Deer- 
field, by savages in ambush and almost totally destroyed. Deerfield was 
sacked by French and Indians in 1704 and many of the inhabitants killed. 

Delancey, James (1703-1760), of New York, member of the council of 
the province from 1729, Chief Justice from 1733, Lieutenant-Governor from 
1753, acted as Governor from 1753 to 1755 and from 1757 to 1760. He pre- 
sided over the Albany Convention of 1754. 

Delancey, James (1732-1800), son of the preceding, served in the French 
and Indian War, and took a prominent part in the Assembly before the Revo- 
lution, but on its outbreak retired to England, and died there. His estates 
were confiscated. 



192 Dictionary of United States History. 

Delancey, James (1750-1809), cousin of the preceding, was during the 
Revohitionar}' War noted as a bold and successful commander of the Tory 
light-horse, known as " Cowboys." After the war, his estates having been 
confiscated, he retired to Nova Scotia. 

Delancey, Oliver (1708-1785), brother of Governor James Delancey, com- 
manded the New York troops in Abercrombie's campaign in the French and 
Indian War, and during the Revolutionary War was commander of a brigade 
0/ Tories. At the close of the war he retired to England. 

Delancey, Oliver (1752— 1822), son of the preceding, an officer in the 
British army, served with distinction throughout the American war, and 
finally became full general in the British service. 

Delano, Columbus, born 1809, member of Congress from Ohio, was Secre- 
tary of the Interior in Grant's Cabinet from 1870 to 1875. 

Delaware. In 1631 the Dutch from New Netherland founded a settle- 
ment in what is now Delaware, but it proved temporary. In 1638 the 
Swedish West India Company settled a colony on the site of Wilmington. 
The colony of New Sweden, lying along the shores of Delaware River and 
Bay, became involved in quarrels with the neighboring settlements of the 
Dutch, who claimed the region. In 1655 Governor Stuyvesant conquered 
the region for the Dutch. In 1664 it fell, with all New Netherland, into the 
hands of the English. William Penn in 1682 obtained possession of what is 
now Delaware, and for twenty years it was governed as a part of Pennsyl- 
vania, except from 1691 to 1693. In 1703 the "territories" or " three lower 
counties on the Delaware " obtained recognition as a separate colony, with 
an assembly of its own, though the proprietary always appointed the same 
man Governor of both Pennsylvania and Delaware. Delaware framed its 
first Constitution as a State in 1776. On December 7, 1787, Delaware ratified 
the Constitution of the United States, and was the first State to do so. The 
vote in convention was unanimous. In 1792 a second State Constitution 
was established. That of 1831, the last made, differs little from this. Up 
to 1850 the State was usually Federalist and Whig, since then it has usually 
been Democratic. Though a slave State it took no part in secession. The 
population, which in 1790 was 59,096, in 1890 was 168,493. 

Delaware, Crossing of the. On Christmas night, 1776, after a period of 
discouragement, Washington made his way across the river Delaware through 
the floating ice, and on the next day, at the head of 2400 men, surprised, 
attacked and captured a force of 1000 British troops (Hessian mercenaries) 
under Rahl. 

Delawares, an Indian tribe, a branch of the Algonquin family, who, 
when the whites first came to the Delaware River, were found dwelling near 
it. Penn bought much land of them. At first a peaceable tribe, they were 
largely under the control of the Five Nations. Later, they became warlike, 
and had a part in the war with Pontiac. In 1774 they received a signal 
defeat. After 1768 there were none east of the Alleghanies. The Christian 
Delawares, converts of the ^Moravians, were largely massacred by the Ameri- 
cans at Gnadenhiitten, near the close of the Revolutionary War. From 



Dictionary of United States History. 193 

Ohio the tribe emigrated to Missouri in 1818, in 1829 i'^^o Kansas, and in 
1868 into the Indian Territory, having now become almost completely 
civilized. 

Delawarr, Thomas West, Lord, a man of noble and philanthropic 
character, was appointed Governor of Virginia in 1609, and administered 
the colony with success until 161 1. In that year he entered the river that 
bears his name. He died in 161 8. 

Delfthaven, a small town in South Holland, port of Delft, is famous in 
American history as the place at which the Pilgrim Fathers embarked on 
board the "Speedwell" for Southampton, July 22, 1620. 

De Long, George W. (1844-1881), a lieutenant-commander in the U. S. 
navy, commanded the " Jeannette " in her Arctic voyage via Behring Strait. 
His vessel being crushed in the ice, he made a long and adventurous journey 
to the Siberian mainland and up the Lena delta, but died of exposure and 
starvation when within reach of help. 

Democracy. Democracy, though one of the foremost elements in Ameri- 
can constitutional life, has grown up entirely outside the Constitution. The 
Constitution leaves the suffrage to be prescribed entirely by the States. For 
its stages of advance, see art. Suffrage. An important landmark in its his- 
tory, in the Federal Government, is the inauguration of Jackson in 1829. 
He was felt to be the people's candidate, and his election was felt to be their 
triumph. From this time on American Democracy was recognized as the 
permanent and characteristic system of politics in the United States. With 
this has gone a liberal policy in regard to naturalization and immigration. 

Democratic Party, historically the most important of American political 
parties, having been in continuous existence for a hundred years. The rise of 
such a party, as soon as national politics began under the new Constitution, 
was natural. The love of individual liberty rather than strong government, 
was native in the minds of most Americans. Those who felt this most 
strongly would be likely to look with apprehension upon the Federal Gov- 
ernment, and the possibility of its encroaching upon the States under cover 
of the new Federal Constitution. They were therefore likely to be advo- 
cates of strict construction of the Constitution and of States' rights. To these 
elements of party feeling, which had drawn the Anti-Federalists together in 
1788, was added a few years later the strong sympathy of many Americans 
with the French Revolution, and the desire that Government should aid 
France in her contest with England. Thomas Jefferson put himself at the 
head of the party drawn together by agreement in these sentiments, and led 
them in opposition to the Federalists. The party took the name of Demo- 
cratic-Republican, still its official title. Before Monroe's administration its 
members were more commonly called Republicans, since then most commonly 
Democrats. From the first the party was strongest in the Southern States. 
From its origin in 1792 to 1801, it was in opposition. In 1798 and 1799, upon 
the passage of the Alien and Sedition laws, it took strong ground for States' 
rights in the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions. The election of Jefferson 
in 1 801 brought it into power. The chief tenets of the party were, belief ia 
13 



194 Dictionary of United States History. 

freedom of religion, of politics, of speech and of the press, in popular rule, 
in peace, in economical government, in the utmost possible restriction of the 
sphere of government, in hospitality to immigrants, and in the avoidance of 
foreign complications. Placed in control of the government, the majority 
of the party drifted away from its strict-constructionist ground, and supported 
measures of a nationalizing character. After the War of 1812, the Federal- 
ist party went out of existence, and the Democratic party had complete 
possession of the field. In 1820, Monroe was re-elected without opposition. 
But opposing tendencies in the nation and in the party were already show- 
ing themselves, and preparing the way for a new party division, between the 
Whigs, advocates of protection and other nationalizing measures, and those 
Democrats who held to the old programme of States' rights and free trade and 
restricted government. With the accession of Jackson in 1829, new social 
strata came into power in the Democratic party, the widening of the suffrage 
giving it a more popular character. Managed by skillful politicians, not 
without the aid of the "spoils system," the party won every Presidential 
election but two (1840, 1848) from this time to i860, destroyed the U. S. 
bank, annexed Texas, and carried the country through the war with Mexico. 
But meanwhile the slavery question, coming into increasing prominence, 
was gradually forcing a division between the Democrats of the South and 
the great body of those in the North, who were unwilling to go so far in the 
protection of slavery by national authority as was desired by their Southern 
allies. The final split came in the nominating convention of i860. Two 
candidates were nominated, Lincoln and the Republicans won the election, 
and the Civil War broke out. Though many " War Democrats " aided the 
administration in preserving the Union, the party was discredited in the eyes 
of many by its previous connection with the Southern leaders and the pro- 
slavery cause, and won no Presidential election till that of 1884, when in the 
minds of many the war issues were extinct and economic questions had taken 
their place. Defeated in 1888, it was again successful in 1892. At present 
the party is hardly more strict-constructionist than the Republican, nor more 
marked by devotion to States' rights. Still holding with these exceptions the 
general views with which it started, the party is at present mostly noted as 
the opponent of a high tariflF. 

Democratic Societies, clubs formed in many American towns in 1793, in 
imitation of the Jacobin and other political clubs of France, to express 
sympathy with that country and the principles of the French Revolution, 
and to propagate extreme Democratic views on American politics. They 
opposed the strongest measures of Washington's administration, especially 
those employed in the suppression of the Whisky Insurrection of 1794, and 
were vigorously denounced by him. Soon after this they declined and went 
out of existence. 

De Monts, Pierre de Guast, Sieur, a Calvinist gentleman of France, was 
in 1603 given by Henry IV., the vice-royalty of Acadia, from latitude 40 
to latitude 60, and the monopoly of its fur-trade. In 1604 he settled a colony 
in Acadia, near the present borders of Maine and New Brunswick, which he 
removed in 1605 to Port Royal, now Annapolis, Nova Scotia. In 1607 the 
colonv was abandoned. 



Dictionary of United States History. 195 

Denio, Hiram (1799-1871), an eminent jurist of New York, was a Judge 
of the Court of Appeals from 1853 to 1866. 

Denmark. A commercial treaty was concluded between the United States 
and Denmark in 1826. By treaty in 1857 the United States paid Denmark 
$393,000 in commutation of the Sound dues. October 25, 1867, a treaty 
was concluded with Denmark, providing for the cession of the islands of St. 
Thomas and St. John for $7,500,000. Denmark ratified it, but the U. S- 
Senate, at the instance of Senator Sumner, refused to do so. A convention 
relative to naturalization was concluded in 1872. 

Dennie, Joseph (1768-1812), a journalist, was one of the first Americans, 
to obtain fame in light literature. Removing from New England to Phila- 
delphia, he was editor, from 1801 on, of the Portfolio^ a literary magazine 
which maintained a higher standard than any of its predecessors. He had 
also a reputation as a graceful and humorous essayist. 

Dennison, William (1815-1882), "War Governor" of Ohio, was elected 
Governor in i860. An ardent Republican and anti-slavery man, he with 
great energ)' and ability prepared the State for the Civil War and organized 
and supplied its forces. He was chairman of the Republican National Nom- 
inating Convention in 1864, and from that year to 1866 was Postmaster- 
General, in the cabinets of Lincoln and Johnson. 

Denonville, Marquis de, French Governor of Canada from 1685 to 1689, 
worked zealously against the British settlements and Governor Dongan, but 
alienated the Indians by cruelty. 

Denver, capital of Colorado, was settled in 1858. 

Departments, Executive. Executive departments of the U. S. Govern- 
ment existed before 1789. The Continental Congre.ss at first transacted all 
executive business through committees; then through commissions composed 
partly of its own members, partly of others. In 1776 the Treasupy- Office 
of Accounts was established, and a comptroller, auditor and treasurer were 
added two years later. In 17S1 four executive departments were organized, 
under a Superintendent of Finance and Secretaries of War, Marine and Foreign 
Affairs, respectively. A Postmaster-General had been provided in 1775. In 
1784 the Treasury Department was put in the charge of a board of three, but 
otherwise the system continued until the inauguration of the new govern- 
ment in 1789. In that year Congress provided for Departments of State, the 
Treasury and War, and instituted the office of AttorneN'-General. The first 
plan contemplated separate departments of foreign affairs and home affairs, 
but finally these were united in the Department of State. The Navy Depart- 
ment was established in 1798, the Interior Department in 1849, the Depart- 
ment of Justice in 1870, the Department of Agriculture in 1889. For details 
of their history, see articles under their individual names. 

Dependency Act. (See Declaratory Act, of March 17, 1766.) 

Depew, Chauncey M., president of the New York Central Railroad and 
eminent as a public speaker, was born in Peekskill, N. Y., in 1834. Since 
i860 he has had an active part in politics. He was Secretary of the State 



196 Dictionary of United States History. 

of New York from 1863 to 1866 and has had an important influence in 
Presidential nominations. 

Deposits, Removal of the. President Jackson, on being successful in the 
election of 1832, believed himself authorized by the popular voice to pursue 
to extremities his war upon the Bank of the United States (see Bank). By 
the Act of 1816 creating the bank, the funds of the Federal Government 
■were to be deposited in it, subject to removal by the Secretary of the 
Treasury, who should state to Congress the reasons for so doing. Jackson, 
believing that the bank was unsound, and that its influence was used to 
■corrupt politics, determined that the deposits should be removed. McLane, 
Secretary of the Treasury, not favoring this course, was transferred to the 
State Department. The new Secretary, Duane, refused to give the necessary 
order, and was dismissed by Jackson. Roger B. Taney was then appointed, 
and ordered the removal, more strictly cessation, of deposits, September 26, 
1833. Jackson set forth his reasons to Congress, on its assembling. Tho 
Senate replied by a vote of censure. Jackson sent in a protest, declaring 
that the matter rested entirely within his competence as head of the Execu- 
tive Department. In 1837 his friends succeeded in inducing the Senate to 
expunge its resolution of censure. 

Derne Expedition. General William Eaton, U. S. Consul at Tunis, per- 
suading his Government to lend the co-operation of its naval forces in the 
Mediterranean, marched from Egypt across the desert with Hamet, rightful 
tashaw of Tripoli, in an attack upon his usurping brother Joseph. On April 
27, 1805, he took Derne. Upon this success a highly favorable treaty was 
extorted from the bashaw, Hamet being induced to retire. 

De Russy, Fort, La., wrested from Dick Taylor, commanding about 12,- 
000 Confederates, by A. J. Smith, leading an army of some 10,000 Federals. 
This battle is to be remembered in connection with Banks' Red River 
expedition. It occurred March 14, 1864. Smith had been ordered to join 
Banks. Hearing that Taylor was at Shreveport he followed him to Fort 
de Russy. After a cannonade of two hours Smith ordered a charge, when 
suddenly the garrison surrendered. 

De Saussure, Henry William (1763-1839), of South Carolina, was 
director of the U. S. Mint, 1794-95, and coined the first gold pieces issued 
from that mint. From 1809 to 1837 he was a chancellor of South Carolina, 
and was eminent as a jurist. 

Deseret, said to mean " the land of the honey-bee," the name given by 
the Mormons to their settlement (" State ") in Utah at the time of its settle- 
ment in 1848. 

Desert Land Act, an Act of Congress, March 3, 1877, allowing, on credit 
for three years, a entry of 640 acres of desert land for purposes of irrigation 
and improvement. 

Des Moines, la., laid out in 1846 and incorporated as Fort Des Moines in 
1851. In 1857 it became a city and the capital of the State. 

De Smet, Peter John (1801-1872), a Belgian Jesuit, was a professor in the 
University of St. Louis from 1828 to 1838. From 1838 he was a missionary 



Dictionary of United States History. 197 

among the Pottawatomies; from 1840 on, a missionary of remarkable zeal 
and success among the Flatheads and other tribes of the Northwest. In 
the first fifteen years of his mission he estimated that he had traveled 120,- 
000 miles. His influence over the Indian tribes was immense. 

De Soto, Fernando (?i 496-1 5 12), a Spanish noble, came to America in 
15 19 in the service of Pedrarias Davila, and accompanied Pizarro in the 
conquest of Peru. In April, 1538, he set out from Spain with 600 nien> 
commissioned to undertake the conquest of Florida, reputed to be a land of 
great wealth. His well-appointed expedition landed in Tampa Bay in May, 
1539. During the next three years he wandered over large parts of what 
are now Alabama and ]\Iississippi. In the spring of 1541 he discovered the 
Mississippi River. Crossing it, he penetrated as far westward as to the 
highlands of the White River. Returning, he died on the banks of the 
Mississippi in the spring of 1542. Some of his followers escaped to Mexico. 

Detroit, Mich. The site was visited by the French in 1669. Detroit was 
settled in 1701 by a party under Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. It fell to 
the British in 1763, and was besieged by Pontiac; to the United States in 
1783. On August 16, 1812, General Hull, with 2000 men, made an inglor- 
ious surrender of Detroit to the British and Indians under General Brock 
and Tecumseh. Hull was cashiered. Harrison retook the town in October, 
1813, after Perry's victory on Lake Erie. From 1805 to 1847 Detroit was 
the capital of Michigan Territory and State. 

Devens, Charles (1820-1891), an eminent law>'er in Massachusetts at the 
time of the outbreak of the Civil War, entered the army as a major and, 
after a brilliant militar>' service, became a brevet major-general. From 1873 
to 1877, and again from 1881 to his death, he was a Judge of the Supreme 
Court of Massachusetts. From 1S77 to 1881 he was Attorney-General ia 
the Cabinet of President Hayes. 

De Vries, David Pieterssen, an important member of the Dutch West 
India Company, was one of the group who sent out the first colony at 
Zwaanendael on the Delaware River, and himself took out the second colony 
in 1632. 

Dexter, Henry M. (1821-1890), Congregationalist clergyman and editor, 
of Massachusetts, was the author of many learned writings on the early his- 
tory of Congregationalism and of the Pilgrim Fathers. 

Dexter, Samuel (1761-1816), a noted law>-er of Massachusetts, was suc- 
cessively, for short periods in 1800 and 1801, Secretary of War and of the 
Treasury in the Cabinet of President John Adams. 

Dickerson, Mahlon (1770-1853), a New Jersey and Pennsylvania lawyer, 
was Governor of New Jersey from 1815 to 1817, and a Senator from that 
State from that time to 1833. From 1834 to 1838 he was Secretary of the 
Navy, ser\ang under Jackson and Van Buren. 

Dickinson, Daniel S. (1800-1866), was Lieutenant-Governor of New 
York from 1842 to 1844, and Senator from New York from 1844 to 1851. 
He was noted as an orator, and was a " War Democrat." 



1 98 Dictionary of United States History. 

Dickinson, Don M., born in 1846, was Postmaster-General in Cleveland's 
Cabinet from 1888 to 1889. 

Dickinson, John (1732-1808), a Philadelphia lawyer, was in 1765 elected 
to the Colonial Congress, and in 1768 distinguished himself by writing 
*' Letters from a Pennsylvania Farmer " in defence of the liberties of 
America. Elected to the Continental Congress in 1774, he wrote its 
*' Address to the Inhabitants of Quebec," its " Declaration to the Annies," 
its " Address to the States," and its two petitions to the king. He opposed 
the Declaration of Independence as premature, but served loyally in the 
army. Again a member of Congress, he was chosen president of Delaware 
in 1781, and was president of Pennsylvania from 1782 to 1785. He was a 
member of the Federal Convention of 1787, and advocated the adoption of 
the Constitution. He was a man of high character and cultivation. Life 
by Stille. 

Dickinson College, one of the older American colleges, was founded at 
Carlisle, Pa., in 1783, and named in honor of John Dickinson, then president 
of the vState, who gave it valuable gifts. A Presbyterian institution from its 
foundation to 1833, it was then transferred to the Methodists. President 
Buchanan and Chief Justice Taney were among its alumni. 

Dieskau, Ludwig August von (1701-1767), a soldier of Saxon birth, who 
had served under Marshal Saxe in the French service, was sent to Canada 
as major-general in 1755, and commanded an expedition against the Eng- 
lish colonies by way of Lake Champlain. At first victorious in the fight 
near Fort Edward, he was finally defeated, severely wounded and taken 
prisoner. 

Dighton Rock, a rock lying in the tide on the side of Taunton River, in 
Berkeley, Mass., formerly in Dighton, and marked with a curious inscription, 
attracted early attention on the part of antiquaries. Rafn, 1837, declared 
that its markings were a runic inscription of the Northmen, relating to the 
expedition of Thorfinn Karlsefne, but this view has now been generally 
abandoned, though the central portion may be Norse. 

Dime, from the French word dixi^mc^ a tenth, expressive of a tenth part 
of the standard silver dollar. It was at first spelled " disme,^' and thus 
appeared on some trial pieces struck by the United States Mint in 1792. 
The coin is of silver, having been authorized in 1792 (with a weight of 41.6 
grains). Coinage was begun in 1796. Its weight was in 1853 reduced to 
38.4 grains. There were no issues of dimes during the years 1799, 1806, 
1808, 1812, 1813, 1815 to 1819 inclusive, 1824 and 1826. 

Dinwiddie, Robert (?i690-i77o), a Scotchman, was Governor of Virginia 
from 1752 to 1758. His chief merit was his perception of the militar>' abili- 
ties of Washington, whom he sent upon the mission to the French com- 
mander on the Ohio, and then upon the militar}' expedition which opened 
the French and Indian War. In the conduct of the war, he quarreled with 
the Virginian Assembly, and suggested taxation of the colonies. He was 
unpopular and incapable. 



Dictionary of United States History. 199 

Direct Taxes. Congress has levied direct taxes on but five occasions. 
In 1798, 1813, 1815 and 1816, a direct tax was levied by Federal authority 
on lands, houses and slaves. In August, 1861, to meet expenses of the Civil 
War, a direct tax of $20,000,000 was levied on all lots of ground with their 
improvements and dwelling-houses. The operation of the act was suspended 
on July I, 1862. By Act of March 2, 1891, $15,000,000, collected under this 
act, were refunded to the States. 

Directories. The first city directory issued in the United States was pub 
lished in New York as early as 1786. It was a small volume of eighty-two 
pages and contained only some nine hundred names. Since that time annual 
directories have appeared in New York. Nearly every town of importance 
in the Union now has its directory. In several States there have also been 
published State directories. 

Directory. The French Directory of five members was established as 
the Executive Government of France in 1795, and was suppressed by Bona- 
parte in 1799 (November 9). It came into collision with the Government of 
the United States because of the action of France in seizing American 
provision-ships and pennitting illegal captures of American vessels by her 
privateers. Our Government recalling Monroe in 1796, the Directory refused 
to recognize his successor, C. C. Pinckney, and complained of the failure of 
the United States to stand by the treaty of alliance of 1778. New envoys 
were sent out by President Adams, — Pinckney, Marshall and Gerry, — but 
were dismissed without satisfaction, after attempts made to bribe the U. S. 
Government (see X. Y. Z. Mission). A virtual state of war ensued (1798), 
but in 1799 Adams, on a more favorable turn of affairs, sent a new embassy, 
Murray, Ellsworth and Davie. When they arrived Bonaparte had already 
overthrown the Directory. With his government the treaty of Morfontaine 
(September 30, 1800) was concluded. 

Disciples, Church of the, also called "Christians" and " Campbellites," a 
religious body founded in 1809 by Thomas and Alexander Campbell. Taking 
the express teachings of the Bible as the only authoritative guide in religious 
matters, their purpose was to bring about Christian unit}'. Their first stage 
consisted in the uniting in one body of various Protestants of Western Penn- 
sylvania, chiefly Presbyterians and Baptists. Thence they spread westward. 
In 1 83 1 they were joined by another body which had grown up upon similar 
principles in Kentucky and neighboring States. In 1867 the number of 
Disciples in the United States was estimated at 425,000. The census of 1890 
ascribed to them 7246 organizations and 641,000 members. 

" Discovery," a vessel dispatched on a voyage of discovery toward 
Greenland in 1602 by the East India Company, and in 1606 to Virginia by 
the Virginia Company, accompanied by the " God-Speed " and the " Susan 
Constant." 

District. The name District has been given in American history' to 
divisions of the country resembling territories in organization, but without 
representative or elective institutions. Existing instances are the District 
of Columbia and that of Alaska. An early instance was the District of 



200 Dictionary of United States History. 

Louisiana, which from 1804 to 181 2 comprised all that portion of the 
Louisiana Purchase which lay north of the northern boundary of the present 
State of Louisiana. In South Carolina the counties were at one time called 
districts. 

District Courts. The Judiciarj' Act of 1789 provided for two classes of 
U. S. Courts inferior to the Supreme Court, — Circuit Courts and District 
Courts. Each district consisted of one State, and had its district judge. 
Since then, some States have been divided, and these Federal courts of the 
lowest grade now number more than sixty. In 1891 an act was passed 
fixing the judges' salaries at $5000. 

District of Columbia. The Constitution of 1787 gave Congress power 
" to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district 
(not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular States and 
the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of government of the United 
States." In 1790, after warm discussions, the present site was selected. A 
ten-mile square was laid out on the Potomac. Mar^•land ceded sixty-four 
square miles on the north bank of the river, Virginia thirty-six square miles 
on the south. In 1791 this area received the official name of the Territory 
of Columbia. The seat of government was removed thither in 1800. In 
1846 the portion south of the Potomac was retroceded to Virginia. The laws 
of Maryland and Virginia were in force in the district, imless repealed by 
Congress; e.g., their slave laws. From 1871 to 1874 the district had a Terri- 
torial government, with elective institutions. This proved extravagant, and 
government by commissioners under the authority of Congress was substituted. 

Dix, John A. (1798-1879), born in New Hampshire, was in the army 
from 1812 to 1828. From 1833 to 1840 he was Secretary' of the State of 
New York, and became a member of the "Albany Regency." From 1845 
to 1849 he was a Democratic Senator. In the last months of Buchanan's 
administration he was Secretary' of the Treasur>', and aided to restore confi- 
dence in the Federal Government. An ardent " War Democrat," he served 
through the war as a major-general of volunteers. From 1872 to 1874 he 
was Governor of New York. 

" Dixie." This favorite song of the Confederate armies was originally a 
negro melody, and is said to have originated in New York. 

Dixon, Jeremiah, English mathematician, with Charles Mason, ran " Mason 
and Dixon's Line," beginning in 1766. 

Dobbin, James C. (1814-1857), represented North Carolina in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1845 to 1847. He was Secretary of the Navy 
in Pierce's Cabinet from 1853 to 1857. 

Dollar. The Spanish milled dollar was the type of the American silver 
dollar. By Act of 1792, 371 J<( grains of pure silver and 24?:^ grains of pure 
gold were declared to be equivalent to each other and to the dollar of account. 
The silver dollar was first coined in 1794, weighing 416 grains (371 J^ plus 
alloy). In 1837 the weight of alloy was so reduced that the weight of the 
coin should he 4.12 }4 grains. The gold dollar was first coined in 1849. In 



Dictionary of United States History. 201 

1873 provision was made for a trade dollar of 420 grains, for use in the trade 
with China and Japan. From 1873 to 1878 the issue of the old silver dollar 
was suspended. The gold half-dollar and quarter-dollar were never coined 
by the U. S. Government. The silver half-dollar has been coined since 1794. 
Its weight, at first 208 grains, was subsequently reduced to 206.25 in 1837, 
to 192 in 1853, and raised to 192.9 in 1873. The quarter-dollar, coinage of 
which began in 1796, has undergone corresponding changes of weight. 

Dominican Republic. The United States concluded with the Dominican 
Republic a convention relative to commerce and extradition in 1867. In 
187 1 a movement was made to annex the Dominican Republic to the United 
States. (See San Domingo Question.) 

Donaldson, Edward (1816-1889), rear-admiral, ser\'ed in the U. S. navy 
from 1835 to 1876. In the Civil War he took part in the capture of New 
Orleans and in the passage of Vicksburg, and at the battle of Mobile Bay 
commanded the " Seminole." 

Donaldsonville, La., occupied in 1863 by a band of Confederate guerrillas 
and bombarded, June 28, by Admiral Farragut during his operations along 
the Mississippi River in command of the Union fleet. 

Donation Lands. August 4, 1842, Congress passed a donation act for the 
Territory of East Florida. Persons who could bear arms were allowed one 
quarter section of land upon which to settle. September 27, 1850, a dona- 
tion act was passed for Oregon, granting settlers from 160 to 640 acres. 

Donelson, Andrew Jackson (1800-1871), nephew of General Jackson, 
was private secretary to his uncle during the latter's Presidency, Minister 
to Pnissia and the German Confederation from 1846 to 1849, and in 1856 
was nominated for the Vice-Presidency by the American party on the ticket 
with Fillmore. 

Donelson, Fort, Tenn., an important Confederate fortification on the 
Cumberland. After the capture of Fort Henry, on the Tennessee, February 
6, 1862, General Grant moved his forces over to the Cumberland and 
attacked Fort Donelson. The Federal gunboats were driven off at first, 
but Grant's land forces attacked the fort in such numbers and with such 
vigor that surrender became necessary. Grant, in a memorable letter, 
demanded its unconditional surrender of General Buckner, who commanded 
it after the flight of Floyd and Pillow. 15,000 Confederates were made 
prisoners by this victory, and the fall of Nashville and Columbus became 
inevitable. An attempt to recapture this place from the Federals was made 
February 15, 1863, by Wheeler, leading 4500 of Bragg's Confederate army. 
The garrison of the fort was 600 Federals under Harding. Wheeler 
demanded a surrender, but Harding replied by sending out skirmishers to 
delay an attack while he sent for aid to Fort Henr\'. In the evening the 
gunboat " Fair Play," Lieutenant Fitch, came up the river, and the Confed- 
erates withdrew. ( 

Doniphan, Alexander W. (1808-1887), colonel in the Mexican War, 
accomplished amid many hardships a difficult march from New Mexico to 



202 Dictionary of United States History. 

Chihuahua, and near the latter place defeated a Mexican force more than 
four times as numerous as his own. 

Donop, Count (1740-1777), commander of Hessians in the Revolutionary 
War, was mortally wounded in an attempt to take by assault Fort Mercer, 
near Red Bank, N. J., October 22, 1777. 

Doolittle, James R., born in New York in 1815, from 1853 to 1856 was 
Judge of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, was U. S. Senator from 1857 to 
1869, and a delegate to the Peace Convention of 1861. 

Dorchester Company. In 1623, "uder the lead of Rev. John White, 
certain English Puritans, wearied of King Charles' persecutions, formed the 
Dorchester Company, for trading and fishing, and established a settlement at 
Cape Ann. The company was dissolved in 1626, but was revived in 1628 
by a number of wealthy Englishmen, and John Endicott assumed the 
government at Naumkeag, now Salem, whither the first settlers had removed. 
In 1629 the company was enlarged and, obtaining a royal charter, formed 
the Massachusetts Bay colony. 

Dorchester Heights were, at Washington's command, occupied and forti- 
fied by General Thomas with 2500 of Washington's troops March 4 and 5, 
1776. This proved so dangerous to Howe that he was obliged to evacuate 
Boston with all speed. 

Dorchester, Lord. (See Carleton, Sir Guy.) 

Dorr, Thomas W. (i 805-1 854), was born in Providence. He was graduated 
at Harvard in 1823, studied in New York and was admitted to the bar. He 
was a member of the Rhode Island Assembly from 1833 to 1837, when he 
agitated governmental reform. See " Dorr War." He died in 1854. 

Dorr Rebellion, an efibrt made in 1840-42 to overturn the State govern- 
ment of Rhode Island by revolutionary means. After the Declaration of 
Independence, Rhode Island retained her charter government. Many of the 
citizens, headed by Thomas W. Dorr, of Providence, became discontented 
with the existing government and its limited suffrage. jMass meetings were 
held, and in October, 1841, a convention of delegates prepared a Consti- 
tution, which was submitted to a popular vote, and was claimed to have 
received a majority of the votes of the State. The legitimate government 
treated these proceedings as nugatory, and, in a measure, criminal. May 3, 
1842, the "suffrage legislature'' assembled at Newport, with Dorr as Gover- 
nor. King, the legitimate Governor, proclaimed martial law. The suf- 
frage party appealed to arms. Their troops were dispersed and Dorr fled. 
He was afterward captured and convicted of treason, but was pardoned in 
1852. 

Dorsey, Stephen W., was born in Vennont in 1842. He ser\'ed in the 
Civil War, was a member of the Arkansas Republican State Committee, a 
U. S. Senator from 1873 to 1879, and in 1880 Secretary of the Republican 
National Committee. He was connected with the " Star route " frauds 
exposed in 1881. 



Dictionary of United States History. 203 

Double Eagle, or twenty-dollar gold piece, coinage authorized by Con- 
gress March, 1849, coinage begun in 1850. Legal tender to an unlimited 
amount. So called from the figure of the national bird stamped on reverse. 

Doubleday, Abner (1819-1893), general, born in New York, aimed the 
first gun in the defense of Fort Sumter, and served with distinction at Antie- 
tam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He retired from the 
army in 1873. 

Doughface, a Northern politician over-anxious to please the South. The 
term is said to have been invented by John Randolph, of Roanoke, and was 
much used during the heat of the slavery conflict. 

Douglas, Stephen Arnold (April 23, 1813— June 3, 1861), was bom at 
Brandon, Vt. He worked on a farm, taught school, and at the age of 
twentv-one began the practice of law in Illinois. Soon afterward he was 
Attorney-General of the State, member of the Legislature, and an unsuccess- 
ful Democratic candidate for Congress. In 1840 he became Secretary of 
State of Illinois, and in 1841, Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. 
Judge Douglas was in the House of Representatives from 1843 to 1847, and 
in the Senate from 1847 ^^ 1861. During this period, when the slavery 
issue came to overshadow all other questions, the " Little Giant," as Douglas 
was affectionately styled, became one of the leaders of his part^-. In Con- 
gress he favored the acquisition of the whole of Oregon, and was chairman 
of the important Committee on Territories. He advocated the compromise 
of 1850, and formulated the doctrine of Popular Sovereignty (which see). 
In accordance with the latter idea he reported in December, 1853, the famous 
Kansas-Nebraska Bill (which see). His name was presented to the Demo- 
cratic National Conventions in 1852 and 1856. While running for re-elec- 
tion to the Senate in 1858, he carried on a joint debate with Lincoln, which 
brought the latter into national prominence. Douglas was nominated for 
President by the Northern wing of the Democratic party in i860, but 
received only twelve electoral votes although a large popular vote was 
thrown for him. He survived the outbreak of the Civil War but a few 
months, supporting to the end the cause of the Union. Life by Sheahan. 

Douglass, Frederick, the most eminent of American negroes, was bom in 
Maryland in 181 7. He escaped from slavery in 1838, and was educated by 
William Lloyd Garrison. He lectured for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery 
Society from 1841 to 1845, and then labored in Europe till 1847. ^^ ^^7^ 
he was commissioner for the District of Columbia, and in 1872 was Presi- 
dential elector-at-large for New York. He was U. S. Marshal for the Dis- 
trict of Columbia from 1876 to 1881, and Recorder of Deeds from 1881 till 
1886. From 1889 to 1891 he was U. S. Minister to Hayti. Died 1895. 

" Dove," a small vessel, which accompanied the " Ark " in 1633 on Lord 
Baltimore's colonizing expedition to Maryland. 

Dover, Del., was settled in 1687 and incorporated in 1720. Dover was 
made the capital of the State at the opening of the Revolution. 

Dover, N. H., one of the oldest towns in the State, was settled in 1623. 
On the night of June 27, 1689, the town was attacked by Indians, and 



204 Dictionary of United States History. 

twenty-three of the inhabitants were killed. Dover became a city in 
1855- 

Dow, Neal, temperance reformer, was born in Maine in 1804. He secured 
the passage of the Maine liquor law in 1851, and was a member of the 
Legislature from 1858 to 1859. He served during the Civil War, lectured 
in England in 1857, 1866 and 1874, and in 1880 was the Presidential candi- 
date of the Prohibition party. 

Dovi^nes, John (i 786-1855), entered the navy in 1802, commanded the 
" Essex " and captured the " Georgiana," which, named " Essex Junior," he 
afterward commanded till 1814, and from 1819-1821 commanded the 
" Macedonia," from 1828 to 1829 the "Java," and from 1832 to 1834 the 
Pacific squadron. 

Downie, George, born in Ireland, died in 1814. He was a British naval 
officer, who in 181 2 commanded the Canadian squadron, and was killed in 
the battle of Plattsburg, fighting against Commodore Macdonough. 

Downing, Sir George (i623?-i684), of the class of 1642 of Harvard Col- 
lege, went to England in 1645, ^^'^ '^^^ envoy of Cromwell and of Charles 
n. to the Netherlands, 1657-1663 and in 1671. He is .said to have insti- 
gated the conquest of New Netherland. 

Drafts, methods employed twice by the United States Government and 
twice by the Confederacy for raising and increasing the armies. The first 
measure, introduced into Congress in 1814, during the war with Great 
Britain, was due to a proposal by New York and Virginia of a Federal classi- 
fication and draft from the State militia. This bill was prepared largely by 
James iVIonroe, but was highly unacceptable to the Federalists and proved a 
failure, though the anny was much in need of men. In 1863 a somewhat 
similar plan was introduced in Congress, but was objected to by the Democrats 
on the grounds of unconstitutionality and failed. Accordingly May 3, 1863, 
another bill passed both Houses, which had no reference to the militia, but 
called every able-bodied citizen of military age into the Federal service. A 
commutation of $300 for exemption was permitted, and persons refusing 
obedience were treated as deserters. April 16, 1862, and July 18, 1863, the 
Confederate Congress passed conscription laws levying on all persons between 
the ages of eighteen and forty-five years. The unpopularity of the conscrip- 
tion caused the "draft riots" in New York City July 13-16, 1863, when the 
city was for four days in the possession of the mob. 

Drake, Sir Francis (1546-1596), an Elizabethan navigator, made an expe- 
dition to Mexico in 1567, and to South America in 1572. He explored the 
Pacific coast from 1577 to 1579, landed on the coast of California and returned 
to England by the Pacific and Indian Oceans, making a successful circum- 
navigation of the globe. 

Drake, Joseph Rodman (1795— 1820), poet, was born in New York City, 
was author of the " Culprit Fay," written in 1816, and a life-long friend of 
Fitz-Greene Halleck, with whom he wrote the " Croakers." 

Dranesville, or Drainsville, Va. Here December 20, 1861, J. E. B. Stuart, 
commanding 2500 Confederates, attacked 4500 Federals under Ord, who was 



Dictionary of United States History. 205 

engaged in loading his forage wagons. The fight was short, but severe. 
The Confederates were greatly outnumbered and were defeated. 

Draper, John W. (1S11-1882), born in England, came to America in 1832. 
He made extensive contributions to science, particularly in the line of 
chemistry and the action of light. During the Civil War he was inspector 
of hospitals. He wrote an excellent " History of the Civil War," 3 vols., 
1870, and a " History of the Intellectual Development of Europe," 1863, 
after the manner and theories of Buckle. 

Draper, Lyman C. (1815— 1891), made thorough and valuable investi- 
gations regarding Western history and biography. He published " Collec- 
tions of the Wisconsin Historical Society " from 1853 to 1S87, and " King's 
Mountain," and nearly completed his " Mecklenburg Declaration of Inde- 
pendence " and " Border Forays and Adventures." 

Drayton, William H. (i 742-1 779), born in South Carolina, went to Eng- 
land, and in 1771 was appointed a privy councillor of South Carolina. He 
was deprived of his crown offices on account of sympathy with the colonies, 
and was made president of the Provincial Congress in 1775. In 1776 he 
became Chief Justice of South Carolina and in 1777 president, and in 1778 
was a member of the Continental Congress. 

Drayton and Sayres' Case (1848), a fugitive slave case which resulted 
from Captain Drayton, of the schooner " Pearl," carrying seventy-five escaped 
negroes up the Potomac on his vessel. An armed steamer captured the vessel 
and brought those on board back. The captain and another of the vessel's 
ofiicers were put in prison, where they remained till 1852, when they were 
released through the instrumentality of Charles Sumner. 

Dred Scott vs. Sanford. In 1834 Dred Scott, a negro slave of Missouri, 
was taken by his master, who was a surgeon in the regular army, first into 
Illinois and then into Minnesota, a region from which slavery was expressly 
excluded by the celebrated Missouri Compromise of 1820. While in Minne- 
sota Scott was married with his master's consent, but on being brought back 
to Missouri in 1838, he and his wife and children were sold to another master. 
Scott brought action for trespass in a St. Louis court, and a decision was 
made in his favor on the ground that, under the provisions of the Missouri 
Compromise, the negro was free. The Supreme Court of Missouri reversed 
this decision, and the case came before the Federal Circuit Court in 1854. 
The defendant slave-holder pleaded that Scott was not a citizen entitled to 
sue and be sued in the U. S. Courts. The court held the contrary, but the 
jury's verdict decided the plaintiff still a slave. The case came before the 
Supreme Court of the United States in 1857. Here the judgment of the 
Circuit Court was reversed, and the case dismissed on the ground that no 
negro, bond or free, could plead in the U. S. Courts as a " citizen." The 
court then, though denying its jurisdiction over the dispute, discussed the 
constitutional points. Scott's status in Illinois was declared determined by 
his Missouri domicile. As regarded the Minnesota Territory the court 
declared the Missouri Compromise imconstitutional and void, it being held 
that States alone could prohibit slavery from their boundaries. Chief Justice 



2o6 Dictionary of United States History. 

Taney read the opinion of a majority of the court, all slave-holders, declaring 
" negroes so inferior that they had no rights which the white man was 
bound to respect. " Justices Curtis and McLean dissented. Scott was afterward 
freed by his master. The decision aroused great excitement in the North. 

Drewry's Bluff, or Fort Darling, on James River, Va., attacked May 15, 
1862, by five Federal war-ships, including the " Monitor." Captain Farrand 
held the fort with 20,000 Confederates. The Federal fleet was badly disabled 
and had to retire. Again, May 13-16, 1864, during Butler's operations with 
the Army of the James around Bermuda Hundred, Fort Darling, or Drewry's 
Bluff, was the scene of some sharp fighting. It was held at that time by 
Beauregard, who had about 20,000 men. Butler made an attack the morning 
of the fourteenth and succeeded in carrying some of the Confederate lines. 
Beauregard hastened to strengthen his position with reinforcements, which 
opportunely arrived. On the sixteenth Beauregard made a return attack 
with a strong force and compelled Butler to retire. Butler's army was also 
about 20,000 strong. 

Drummond, Sir George Gordon (1771— 1854), a British soldier, served in 
Canada from 1S08 to 181 1 and from 1813 to 1816. He stormed Niagara, 
captured Oswego, commanded at Lundy's Lane, and from 1814 to 1816 
administered the government of Canada. ^ 

Drummond, 'William, died in 1677. He was appointed Governor of 

Albemarle (/. <r.. North Carolina) by Governor Berkeley, of Virginia (1663—67). 
Afterward he was prominent as a leader in the Bacon Rebellion of 1676, and 
was executed by Berkeley. 

Duane, James (1733— 1797), first prominent as a New York advocate for 
the New Hampshire land grants, was a member of the first Continental 
Congress, where he championed the British navigation acts and a colonial 
union subordinate to Parliament. In 1776 he opposed the Declaration of 
Independence as hasty. He was a member of the New York Provincial 
Congress from 1775 to 1777 and one of the committee to draft the State 
Constitution. He was a member of the convention that adopted the Federal 
Constitution in 1788, and from 1789 to 1794 was District Judge for New 
York. 

Duane, William (1760— 1835), bom in New York, was abroad from 1771 
to 1795, when he returned to Philadelphia, and till 1822 edited the Aurora, 
the leading Democratic paper. He served as adjutant-general from 1813 to 
181 5, and was an important figure in anti-Jeffersonian Democratic politics 

in Pennsylvania. 

Duane, William J. (i 780-1 865), a distinguished law>'er, became Secretary 
of the U. S. Treasury in 1833, and was removed by President Jackson for 
refusing to withdraw the deposits from the L^. S. bank. 

" Dubuque Visitor," established at Dubuque Lead Mines, Wisconsin Ter- 
ritory (now Dubuque, Iowa), May, 1836, by John King. It was the first of 
the early news publications in Iowa. It is now published as the Dubuque 
Herald. 



Dictionary of United States History. 207 

Duche, Jacob (1737-1798), Episcopal clergyman in Philadelphia, espoused 
the patriot cause at the beginning of the Revolution. He was the first chap- 
lain of the Congress in 1774. He despaired of success for the colonies, and 
in 1777 advised Washington by letter to abandon the attempt. This made 
him so unpopular that he went to England. 

Dudley, Joseph (1647-1720), of Massachusetts, was one of the Commis- 
sioners for New England from 1677 to 1681, and in 1682 went to England 
on behalf of the Massachusetts colony. He was appointed president of New 
England by James H. in 1685, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 
1687. From 1690 to 1693 he was Chief Justice of New York, and from 1702 
to 1715 was Governor of Massachusetts. He was always friendly to the royal 
interests. 

Dudley, Thomas (1576-1652), born in England, came to Massachusetts 
in 1630 as Deputy-Governor. He was Governor from 1634 to 1635, from 
1640 to 1 64 1, from 1645 to 1646, and from 1650 to 1651. During most other 
years from 1630 to 1652, he was Deputy-Governor. He was at times an 
opponent of Winthrop. 

Duer, William (1747-1799), arrived in New York from England in 1768. 
He was a member of the committee that drafted the first Constitution of 
New York in 1777, was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1777 and 
1778, and Secretary of the Treasury Board in 1789. 

Duer, William A. (1780-1858), prominent in the New York Assembly in 
1814, was Judge of the New York Supreme Court from 1822 to 1829, when 
he became president of Columbia College, resigning in 1842, and published 
some historical works. 

Dug Spring, Mo., a sharp skirmish, August i, 1S61, between General 
Nathaniel Lyon's Federal force of 5500 and McCuUoch's Confederate volun- 
teers numbering 12,000. JMcCuUoch was worsted. 

" Duke's Laws." A code of laws drawn up in 1664 by Colonel Nicolls, 
then governing the colonies of the Duke of York's patent. They were first 
arranged for the government of the Dutch settlers of Long Island. They 
prohibited the election of magistrates, but provided for trial by jury, equal tax- 
ation, tenure of lands from the Duke of York, freedom of religion, liability 
to militar}- duty, and recognition of negro slaven.- under certain restrictions. 

Du Lhut, Daniel G., died in 1709, was engaged as fur-trader and explorer 
on the frontier, and was of much service to the French colonists in aiding 
them against Indian attacks. Duluth is named for him. 

Dummer, Jeremiah (i68o?-i739), was London agent of the Massachusetts 
colony from 1710 to 1721. He wrote "Defence of the New England Char- 
ters," declaring that the charters were compacts, and that the land-titles 
were not derived from the crown. 

Dummer's "WaT, a war during 1724-25 between the border settlers of Ver- 
mont and Maine, and the Indian tribes incited by the French of Canada. 
William Dummer was then acting Governor of Massachusetts, and it was 
through his efforts that the trouble was tenninated bv a treatv with the 



2o8 Dictionary of United States History. 

Indians in 1725. Fort Dummer was erected at the present site of Brattle- 
boro' in 1724. May 9, 1725, Captain John Lovewell defeated the Indians in 
a bloody battle at Fr)eburg, Maine. Fonr sagamores signed the treaty with 
Dummer at Boston in November of the same year. 

Dunbar, Thomas, died in 1767. He was a British colonel who was left 
at Little Meadows in Braddock's expedition against Fort Duquesne, and after 
Braddock's defeat, destroyed the munitions of war and retreated. 

Dunkers (Dunkards or Brethren), a denomination of American Baptists 
who originated in Germany in 1708, but were driven by persecution to this 
country between 1719 and 1729. They are now most numerous in Ohio. 
In 1790 a number who held Universalist views seceded and still remain apart. 
They strive to reproduce the exact order of the apostolic church, dress plainly, 
refuse to go to law or to engage in war, take no interest on money lent to the 
brethren, and take especial care of the poor. Their membership is estimated 
at about 10,000, but they themselves keep no statistics. 

Dunmore, John Murray, Earl of (1732-1809), a descendant of the Stuarts, 
succeeded to the peerage in 1766 and became Governor of New York in 1770 
and of Virginia in 177 1. In 1774 the Virginians under Patrick Henry took 
up arms against his government. He fled in 1775 and during the first year 
of the Revolution conducted petty warfare and led plundering expeditions 
on the coast, burning Norfolk, but was dislodged in 1776. 

Du Pont, de Nemours, Pierre S. (1739-1817), celebrated French econo- 
mist, twice president of the National Assembly, resided in America from 1798 
to 1802 and in 181 5 settled in Delaware. 

Dupont, or Du Pont, Samuel Francis (1803-1865), entered the navy in 
his youth, but had no opportunities for distinction until the Mexican War, 
when he took San Diego. His great naval feat was in the first year of the 
Civil War; he captured the fortifications of Port Royal harbor on November 
7, 1861, and followed up this success by seizing Tybee and reducing main- 
points on the coast of Georgia and Florida. For these successes he was 
made rear-admiral. The unsuccessful attacks on the defences of Charleston, 
under his lead, in 1863, were made against his better judgment. 

Duquesne de Menneville, Marquis, was born in France early in the 
eighteenth century. He was Governor of New France from 1752 to 1755, 
and was active in extending the interests of France and resisting the 
encroachments of the English colonies. Fort Duquesne was named for 
him. 

Duquesne, Fort, erected at the junction of the Allegheny and Monon- 
gahela rivers in Pennsylvania by the French under Captain Contrecoeur in 
1754. It became at once the centre of French military operations in that 
section. In 1755 Braddock was sent to capture it. He was defeated July 9 
by the French and Indians. Major Grant and 800 men were defeated and 
cut to pieces in a second expedition against the fort October 15, 1757. In 
the summer of 1758 General Forbes with 6000 men moved against it. His 
march was slow. The rains ruined roads as soon as constructed. A recon- 
noitring party under Grant was cut off. At length the whole force 



Dictionary of United States History. 209 

advanced. On the evening of September 24 the fort was evacuated and 
blown up. By Forbes' slow advance the patience of the Indians in alliance 
with the French had been exhausted and the garrison reduced to less than 
1000. The place was named Fort Pitt (Pittsburg) in honor of the English 
Minister, and a strong fort erected there the next year. 

Durell, Edward H. (1810-1887), drafted the bureau system of govern- 
ment for New Orleans in 1862, was a U. S. Judge in Louisiana from 1863 to 
1874, and from 1875 to 1887 published a considerable amount of historical 
literature. 

Dustin, Hannah, of Massachusetts, born about 1660, was taken prisoner 
by the Indians in 1697 and, aided by a boy, Samuel Leonard, killed ten of 
her captors in camp and escaped to her home in Haverhill, after notable 
adventures. 

Dutch. The chief settlements of the Dutch in the American colonies 
were in New Netherland, now New York and the adjoining part of New 
Jersey. They were successful in commerce and industrious in agriculture, 
but indifferent to politics. Probably at the time of the Revolution more 
than half of the population of the State were of Dutch descent, and Dutch 
was still spoken in the villages along the Hudson in the earlier years of this 
century. Of late, efforts have been made to prove that the chief influence 
in the formation of American institutions was Dutch rather than English, 
that for instance the ideas of a written constitution, the ballot, freedom of 
religion, democracy, equal partition of the goods of an intestate, the record- 
ing of deeds by the State, and free schools, were derived from Dutch example. 
In the case of most of these claims, it must be said that they are still quite 
unproved. It is true that the Netherland Republic was in 1620 far in 
advance of England in respect to freedom, institutional development and 
general civilization, and that it was then in close association with England, 
and that the Pilgrim Fathers and some other colonists were well acquainted 
with the life of the Dutch. In the case of free schools, registration of deeds 
and the laws of succession, and a few other particulars, a probability of Dutch 
influence has been shown. But in the case of the fundamentals of American 
constitutional life, the new theory not only has not been proved, but is in 
most respects highly improbable. 

Duval, Gabriel (1752-1844), represented Maryland in the U. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1794 to 1796. He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme 
Court from 181 r to 1836. 

Duxbury, Mass., was founded by Miles Standish about 1630, and incor- 
porated as a town in 1637. 

Duyckinck, Evert A. (1816-1878), admitted to the New York bar in 1837, 
was editor of the Literary World from 1847 t° ^853> ^^^^ wrote exten- 
sively upon American biography, history and literature. His chief work was 
a " Cyclopaedia of American Literature," 1856. 

Duzine, the twelve patentees of the settlement of New Paltz, made some 
miles west of what is now Kingston on the Hudson, in 1677, by Louis Dubois 
14 



2IO Dictionary of U>aTED States History. 

and others. The " Duzine " were elected as the legislative and judicial 
body of the colony, and they and later Duzines maintained control during 
loo years. 

Dwight, Theodore (1764-1846), edited the Connectiait Mirror^ the official 
organ of the Federalists, was secretary of the Hartford Convention, and 
founded the New York Daily Advertiser^ editing it from 1817 to 1836. 

Dwight, Theodore ^A^. (1822-1892), from 1858 to 1891 professor of law 
in Columbia College, was a member of the New York Constitutional Con- 
vention of 1867, and from 1874 to 1875 a member of the Commission of 
Appeals. He was one of the most famous of American teachers of law. 

Dwight, Timothy (1752-1817), of Connecticut, divine, poet and teacher, 
while chaplain in the Continental anny composed his poem " Columbia." 
From 1795 to 1817, he was president of Yale College and did much to 
broaden and advance higher education. His " Travels in New England and 
New York " are noteworthy. 

Dwight, Timothy, born in 1828, an editor of the New Englander from 
1856, was a member of the committee to revise the English version of the 
Bible, from 1878 to 1885, and in 1886 was chosen president of Yale 
University. 

Dyer, Eliphalet (1721-1807), was Connecticut Commissioner to the Stamp- 
Act Congress in 1765, Judge of the Superior Court from 1766 to 1793, a 
delegate to the Continental Congresses of 1774, 1775 and 1778, and a mem- 
ber of the Connecticut Committee of Safety in 1775. 



E Pluribus Unum. First suggested as the motto of the United States by 
Franklin, John Adams and Jefferson, August 10, 1776, they having been 
appointed the committee to choose a design for the Great Seal. It was prob- 
ably suggested by the similar motto of the Gentletnati' s Magazine^ which had 
a popular circulation in the colonies at that time. It occurs in a Latin poem 
ascribed to Virgil and called " Moretum." It first appeared on coin in New 
Jersey in 1786, when copper coins were issued in that State. 

Eads, James B. (1820-1887), was noted for his achievements in engineering, 
among them being the construction of the St. Louis bridge, with a central 
span of 520 feet, and the jetties of the Mississippi River. 

Eagle, a gold coin of the value of ten dollars. So called because of the 
figure of the national bird, which is stamped on the reverse. It was author- 
ized in 1792 and coinage was begun in 1794. It has always been legal tender 
to an unlimited amount. The first delivery of eagles was made September 
22, 1795, 400 in number. It was not coined from 1805 to 1837. By Act of 
1834 its weight was slightly reduced. 

Earle, Thomas (1796-1849), was active in calling the Pennsylvania Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1837, and is supposed to have drafted the new 




STATESMEN OF THE REVOLUTION. 



Patrick Henry. 

Robert Morris. 
Robert R. Livingston, 



Jiihn Hdncock. 
John Dickinson, 

James Otis, 
Samuel Adams. 



Benjamin Franklir 



Richard Henry Lee. 



Roger Sherman. 



Dictionary of United States History. 211 

Constitution. lu 1S40 he was the candidate of the Liberty party for Vice- 
President. 

Early, Jubal Anderson (181 5-1894), Confederate general, was attorney 
for Virginia from 1842 to 1844 and from 1848 to 1852, and served as major 
in the Mexican War from 1847 to 1848. In 1861 he became a colonel in the 
Confederate army and fought at Bull Run and Williamsburg. Promoted to 
brigadier-general in 1863 he was a commander at Fredericksburg and Gettys- 
burg. Successful at first in his Shenandoah campaign he was defeated by 
Sheridan on the Opequan, at Fisher's Hill and at Cedar Creek, and by General 
Custer at Waynesboro. For these defeats he was retired. He was president 
of the Southern Historical Society. 

East India Company, the Dutch trading company under whose auspices 
Henr>' Hudson in his vessel, the " Half Moon," sailed up the Hudson River 
and established three trading posts. The object of the company was not 
colonization, but a monopoly of the fur trade. In 1621 a similar monopoly 
was granted by the States General to the newly formed West India Company. 

East Jersey. (See New Jersey.) 

Eaton, Dorman B., was born in Vermont in 1823. Prominent in pro- 
moting civil service reform, he was appointed a member of the Civil Service 
Commission by President Grant in 1873 and in 1883 by President Arthur^ 
serving till 1886. He drafted the national civil service act of 1883, and has 
written extensively upon the subject. 

Eaton, John, bom in New Hampshire in 1829, served during the Civil 
War, and was appointed U. S. Commissioner of Education, serving from 1870 
to 1886. He was president of the international congress of education at 
New Orleans, and vice-president of the congress at Havre, France. 

Eaton, John H. (1790-1856) was a U. S. Senator from Tennessee from 
1818 to 1829, w^s vSecretary of War in Jackson's Cabinet from 1829 to 1831, 
and Minister to Spain from 1836 to 1840. He was one of Jackson's closest 
friends and political advisers. 

Eaton, Margaret L. (1796-1879) ("Peggy O'Neill"), a woman of great 
beauty and of fascinating manner, but of low social position, married John 
H. Eaton in 1828. When he became Secretary of War she was refused 
recognition by the families of the Cabinet members. Her cause was supv- 
ported by President Jackson, who attempted to enforce her recognition, 
which led to the disruption of the Cabinet in 1831. 

Eaton, Theophilus (1591-1658), a prosperous English merchant, canKj 
to Massachusetts in 1637, explored the Connecticut coast, and in 1638 planteit 
a colony at New Haven, of which he became one of the "Seven Pillars" 
who formed the government, and was made the first Governor. He was o&, 
of the commissioners who formed the " United Colonies of New England ' 
in 1643. 

Eaton, William (1764-1811), born in Connecticut, served in the Revolu- 
tionary War from 1780 to 1783, and was Clerk of the Connecticut House of 
Representatives from 1791 to 1797. He was Consul at Tunis, where he 



212 Dictionary of United States History. 

conducted important negotiations from 1799 to 1803, and was U. S. Naval 
Agent to the Barbary States from 1804 to 1805. In 1805 he conducted the 
celebrated Derne expedition. (See Deme.) 

Ebenezer, the chief settlement of the Salzburger colonists of Georgia. 
It was founded near the confluence of the Savannah River and Ebenezer 
Creek in 1734. Its Salzburger inhabitants were mainly farmers and Indian 
traders. 

Economy. (See Harmonists.) 

Ecuador. In 1839 a commercial treaty was concluded between the United 

States and Ecuador. Conventions were concluded in 1862 for the settlement 
of claims, and in 1872 relative to naturalization and extradition. 

Eden, Sir Robert, born in England, died in 1786. He was made Gov- 
ernor of Maryland in 1768, and ruled with moderation, causing the Mary- 
land colonists to hope for reconciliation with Great Britain at the outbreak 
of the Revolution. In 1776 he was obliged to depart. 

Edenton, N. C, was founded in 17 15, named for Governor Charles Eden, 
and for a time was the place of meeting of the Legislature of the colony. 

Edes, Benjamin (1732-1803), from 1755 to 1798 was editor of the Boston 
Gazette and Country Joui-nat, which became very influential during the 
Revolutionary period. He materially aided the members of the " Boston 
Tea Party " in 1773. 

Edison, Thomas A., was bom in Ohio in 1847. One of the most suc- 
cessful of inventors, he accomplishes his great achievements empirically by 
almost incessant labor. Among his inventions are the carbon telephone, the 
phonograph, the microtasimeter, by which has been measured the heat of 
the sun's corona, and a quadruplex system of telegraphy. 

Edmunds, George Franklin, Senator, was born in Vermont in 1S28. He 
was a Representative in the Vermont Legislature from 1854 to 1859 (except 
one year), serving as Speaker for three years, and was president pro tempore 
of the State Senate from 1861 to 1862. He drew up the resolutions adopted 
at the convention for uniting the Republicans and the War Democrats. In 
1866 he was appointed to succeed Solomon Foote, deceased, in the U. S. 
Senate, and held office till his resignation in 1891. In 1877 he was a mem- 
ber of the Electoral Commission. While in the Senate he served as chair- 
man of the Judiciary Committee, and had the drafting of many important 
bills. His services in the Senate were marked by uprightness of character, 
ability to detect imperfections in pending legislation, and hostility to irregu- 
lar procedure. 

Edmunds Act, a bill submitted by Senator Edmunds, of Vermont, and 
passed by Congress March 22, 1882, to regulate and restrict the pol3'gamous 
institutions of the Mormons in Utah. Under its provisions Mormons were 
in a great measure excluded from local offices, which they had hitherto 
•wholly controlled. Many persons were indicted and punished for polygamy 
also. 



Dictionary of United States History. 213 

Education. (See Schools, Academies, Colleges, Universities.) 

Education, Bureau of. This office was established in 1867 for the pur- 
pose of collecting statistics showing the condition and progress of education 
in the States and Territories, and of diffusing such information as might 
promote the cause of education throughout the country. At first an inde- 
pendent office, it was in i858 made a bureau of the Department of the 
Interior. 

Educational Land-grants. In the disposal of the lands of the North- 
west Territory' large tracts were, in some instances, granted to the States 
formed therefrom, to be sold by the State Legislatures for an educational 
endowment; or else the lands were sold by the Federal Government, and a 
percentage of the proceeds bestowed upon the State for the erection of 
schools and colleges. When Illinois became a State three per cent of the 
proceeds of the sales of public lands was granted for this purpose, to be paid 
as fast as the sales were made. In 1829 the Legislature borrowed the school 
fund for State purposes, and failed to pay interest thereon, hence the Federal 
grant was withheld for some years. The total amount received was $712,- 
745.24. In Michigan, the charge of the public lands was intrusted first to 
the Territorial, and then, in 1835, to the State Legislature. In general, these 
grants were mismanaged by the States. History by Knight. 

Edward, Fort, erected on the Hudson River in 1755, and at first called 
Fort Lyman after the builder; an important post during the French and 
Indian War. It was garrisoned, in 1755, by the Earl of Loudoun and 2500 
men, and afterward by General Webb. From this fort there were frequent 
expeditions against the French along the Canadian border. After the mas- 
sacre at Fort William Henry, in 1757, the remnant of the latter's garrison 
took refuge in Fort Edward. The French General ]\Iontcalm proposed to 
attack Fort Edward, but failed to do so. During the winter of 1757 the 
troops under General Webb, tired of inaction, mutinied and caused serious 
trouble. Captain Haviland then assumed command, and despatched a 
scouting expedition under Rogers against the French border in 1758. This 
party was defeated near Lake George. 

Edwards, Jonathan (1703-1758), born in Connecticut, was the most emi- 
nent metaphysician America has ever produced. In 1727 he was ordained 
pastor at Northampton, Mass., where he remained until 1750. From 1751 
to 1758 he preached to the Indians at Stockbridge. He was a most prolific 
writer upon religion and metaphysics, and in 1754 published his famous 
"Inquiry' into the Freedom of the Will." 

Edwards, Ninian (i 775-1833), a prominent lawyer, was Governor of the 
Territory of Illinois from 1809 to 1818, was V. S. Senator from 1818 to 1824 
and was, by election, Governor from 1826 to 1830. 

Eggleston, Edward, was born in 1837. He is a popular novelist and the 
author of a series of biographies of American Indians and a history of social 
life in the colonies. 

Egypt. A commercial agreement was made in 1884 between the United 
States and Egypt. 



214 Dictionary of United States History. 

Eight-Hour Law. The Act of August i, 1892, restricts to eight hours 
the working day of all laborers and mechanics employed by the United States 
Government, by the District of Columbia, or by any contractor upon any of 
the public works. Violation of this law is punishable by fine and imprison- 
ment. 

El Bracito, N. M., a short, but hotly contested battle between Colonel 
Doniphan's army of 900 men and a force of iioo Mexicans, under an officer 
named Ponce de Leon, December 24, 1846. These troops charged upon the 
Americans, but were easily repulsed by a volley from rifles. This occurred 
during Doniphan's celebrated expedition against Chihuahua to join and 
relieve General Wool. 

El Dorado, meaning " The Gilded Man." Among the Muysca Indians of 
Bogota it was customary, at the time of the Spanish explorations of the six- 
teenth century, for each new chief, with his naked body anointed with resinous 
gums and covered with gold dust, to head a solemn procession to the Lake 
of Govita, and to wash himself therein after much impressive ceremony. 
At the same time the assembled savages cast into the lake gold trinkets and 
precious stones, as offerings to the goddess of the lake, the drowned wife of 
a former chieftain. Hence the terra el dorado came to be applied to any 
place where gold was reported to exist. Many expeditions were undertaken 
in search of the mythical el dorado by the Spaniards. South America, 
Mexico and Florida were all, at different times, supposed to be the country 
of the long sought cl dorado. 

Election Laws. Each colony and State has had its own laws for local 
elections. The Constitution gives the Congress power to regulate Federal 
elections. Elections to the Senate were first put upon a uniform plan by 
Federal legislation in 1866, and elections to the House by Act of 1875. 
For the recent attempt to carry still further the policy of Federal control of 
Federal elections, see art. " Force Bill." History of colonial elections by 
Bishop. 

Elections. In the colonial period only Massachusetts (till 1691), Con- 
necticut and Rhode Island elected their Governors. But in all the people 
elected their Representatives in the Assembly, and this was done either by 
ballot or, as in Virginia, after the English manner, viva voce. Election 
disturbances were common in the Southern colonies, though laws against 
'violence and treating prevailed. Under the Constitution of 1787 the Federal 
Congress did not pass laws controlling the election of Senators until 1866, 
when the present system was introduced, nor of Representatives, completely, 
until 1875. The first Presidential election was held in January and February 
of 1789. The times of election formerly varied much in difierent States, 
"but now nearly all elect their Congressmen in November. 

Elections, Presidential. The following table gives the electoral and 
popular votes for President and Vice-President at each election. It is to be 
remembered that in the elections preceding that of 1804 the electors did not 
vote for President and Vice-President separately; he who had most votes was 
made President, he who stood second Vice-President. Up to 1824 electors 
were largely chosen by State Legislatures without popular voting : 



Dictionary of United States History. 



215 





2 



1 
W 

d 


Party. 


President. 


Vice-President. 


1 


Candidate. 


Popular 
Vote. 


a 



Candidate. 


i2 


1 


1789 


73 

135 

138 

138 

176 
176 

218 
221 


Federalist . 
Federalist . 
Republican 
Republican 

Federalist . 
Republican 
Federalist . 
Republican 

Republican 
Republican 
Federalist 
Federalist . 

Republican 
Federalist . 
Republican 
Federalist . 

Republican 
Federalist . 

Republican 
Federalist . 


George Washington . 




69 






John Adams 




34 
9 
6 




John Jay 










R. H. Harrison . . . 










John Rutledge .... 








f> 




John Hancock. .... 








A 




George Clinton . . . 












Samuel Huntington . 








2 




John Milton 












James Armstrong . . 












Benjamin Lincoln . . 








I 




Edward Telfair . . . 








I 




Vacancies 





4 
132 




A 


1792 


George Washington . 










John Adams 




77 
50 




George Clinton . . . 










Thomas Jeflferson . . 










Aaron Burr 








I 




Vacancies 








3 


1796 


John Adams 




71 




Thomas Jefferson . . 




68 




Thomas Pinckney . . 








59 
30 
13 




"Aaron Burr 










Samuel Adams. . . . 










Oliver Ellsworth . . . 










George Clinton . . . 








7 
S 
3 




John Jay 










James Iredell .... 




























2 




Samuel Johnston 








2 




Charles C. Pinckney . 










i8cx> 


Thomas Jefferson* 




73 








Aaron Burr 




65 
64 














Charles C Pincknev 


















1804 


Thomas Jefferson 




162 

14 
122 

47 
6 

I 

128 

89 

I 

183 

34 

4 


George Clinton . . 
Rufias King .... 
George Clinton . . 
Rufus King .... 
John Langdon . . . 
James Madison . . 
James Monroe . . . 


t6? 








14 

113 

47 


1808 


James Madison . . . 






Charles C. Pinckney . 






George Clinton . . . 




9 

3 
3 

I 




Vacancy 




1812 


James Madison 




Elbridge Gerry . . 
Jared IngersoU . . . 


131 

86 




De Witt Clinton . . . 












t8i6 






D. D. Tompkins . . 
John E. Ho-ward . . 
James Ross .... 
John Marshall . . . 
Robert G. Harper . 


183 

22 




Rufus King . . . 






Vacancies 




5 

4 
3 

4 



•Jefferson was chosen President by the House of RepresentatlTea. 



2l6 



Dictionary of Unitkd States History. 





1 

s 


1-^ 





1820 


235 


1824 


261 


1828 


261 


1832 


288 


1836 


294 


1840 


294 


1844 


275 


1848 


290 


1852 


296 


1856 


296 


i860 


303 


1864 


314 


1868 


317 



Party. 



Republican 
Republican 



Republican 
Republican 
Republican 
Republican 



Democratic 
Nat. Repub. 

Democratic 
Nat. Repub. 

Anti-Mason 



Democratic 

Whig 

Whig 

Whig 

Whig 

Whig 

Democratic 

Liberty . . 



Democratic 
Whig . . . 
Liberty . . 
Whig . . . 
Democratic 
Free-Soil . 
Democratic 
Whig . . . 
Free Dem. 
Democratic 
Republican 
American . 
Republican 
Democratic 
Cons. Union 
Ind. Dem. 
Republican 
Democratic 

Republican 
Democratic 



PRESroENT. 



Candidate. 



James Monroe . 
John Q. Adams 



Vacancies 

Andrew Jackson . . . 
John Q. Adams* . . . 
William H. Crawford 
Henry Clay 



Vacancy . . . 
Andrew Jackson . 
John Q. Adams 

Andrew Jackson 
Henry Clay . . 
John Floyd 1 
William Wirt J 



Vacancies 

Martin Van Buren . . 
Wm. H. Harrison "1 
Hugh L. White I 
Daniel Webster | 
W. P. Mangum J 
William H. Harrison 
Martin Van Buren . . 
James G. Bimey . . . 



James K. Polk . . 
Henry Clay . 
James G. Birney . 
Zachary Taylor . 
Lewis Cass . . . 
Martin Van Buren 
Franklin Pierce . 
Winfield Scott . . 
John P. Hale . . 
James Buchanan . 
John C. Fremont 
Millard Fillmore . 
Abraham Lincoln 
J. C. Breckinridge 
John Bell .... 
S. A. Douglas . . 
Abraham Lincoln 
Geo. B. McClellan 
States not voting . 
Ulysses S. Grant . 
Horatio Seymour 
States not voting 



Popular 
Vote. 



153,544 

108,740 

46,618 

47,136 



647,276 
508,064 

687,502 
530,189 

33,108 



762,678 

735,651 

1,275,017 

1,128,102 

7,069 



1,337,243 
1,299,062 
62,300 
1,360,101 
1,220,544 

291,263 
1,601,274 
1,386,578 

156,825 
1,838,169 
1,341,264 

874,534 
1,866,452 

845,953 
590,631 

1,375,157 
2,213,667 
1,802,237 



3,012,833 
2,703,249 



W 



231 
1 



3 
99 

84 
41 

37 



170 
105 

163 

127 

254 
42 

174 

114 

8 

180 

72 

39 
12 

212 
21 
81 

214 
80 
23 



Vice-President. 



Candidate. 



D. D. Tompkins . 
Richard Stockton 
Daniel Rodney 
Robert G. Harper 
Richard Rush . . 



John C. Calhoun . 

Nathan Sanford . 
Nathaniel Macon 
Andrew Jackson . 
Martin Van Buren 
Henry Clay . . . 



John C. Calhoun 
Richard Rush . 
William Smith (S. C, 
Martin Van Buren 
John Sergeant . 
Henry Lee . . . 
.'i.mos Ellmaker 
WilUam Wilkins 



R. M. Johnsonf 
Francis Granger 
John Tyler . . . 
William Smith (Ala, 



John Tyler 

R. M. Johnson . . 
Francis J. Lemoyne. 
L. W. Tazewell . . 
James K. Polk . . 
George M. Dallas . 
T. Frelinghuysen . 
Thomas Morris. 
Millard Fillmore . 
William O. Butler 
Charles F. Adams. 
William R. King . 
William A. Graham 
George W. Julian. 
J. C. Breckinridge 
William L. Dayton 
A. J. Donelsbn . . 
Hannibal Hamlin 
Joseph Lane . . 
Edward Everett 
H. V. Johnson . 
Andrew Johnson 
G. H. Pendleton 



Schuyler Colfax 
F. P. Blair, Jr. . 



W 

218 
8 

4 

I 
I 

3 

182 

30 

24 

13 

9 

2 

I 

171 

83 

7 

189 

49 
II 

7 
30 

2 

147 
77 
47 
23 

234 

48 

II 

I 
170 
105 

163 
127 

254 

42 

174 

114 

8 

180 

72 

39 
12 
212 
21 
81 

214 
80 

23 



♦Adams was elected President by the House of Representatives, 
t Johnson was chosen Vice-President by the Senate. 



Dictionary of United States History. 



217 


























<u 








w 




Uh 


u 









V 





> 


•z 


1872 


366 


1876 


369 


1880 


369 


1884 


401 


1888 


401 


1892 


444 



Party. 



Republican 
Dem.&Lib. 
Democratic 
Temperance 



Republican 
Democratic 
Greenback 
Prohibition 

Republican 
Democratic 
Greenback 
Prohibition 
American . 

Democratic 
Republican 
Prohibition 
Greenback 

Republican 
Democratic 
Prohibition 
Union Lab. 

Democratic 
Republican 
People's 
Prohibition 



President. 



Candidate. 



Ulysses S. Grant . . 
Horace Greeley . . 
Charles O'Conor . . 
James Black .... 
Thos. A. Hendricks 
B. Gratz Brown . . 
Charles J. Jenkins . 
David Davis .... 



Not counted . . . 
Rutherford B. Hayes 
Samuel J. Tilden . . 
Peter Cooper . . . 
Green Clay Smith . 

Scattering 

James A. Garfield . 
Winfield S. Hancock 
James B. Weaver . 
Neal Dow .... 
John W. Phelps . . 

Scattering 

Grover Cleveland . 
James G. Blaine . . 
John P. St. John . . 
Benjamin F. Butler 

Scattering 

Benjamin Harrison 
Grover Cleveland . 
Clinton B. Fisk . . 
Alonzo J. Streeter . 

Scattering 

Grover Cleveland . 
Benjamin Harrison 
James B. Weaver . 
John Bidwell . . . 



Popular 
Vote. 



3.597,070 

2,834,079 

29,489 

5,608 



4,033,950 

4,300,590 

81,740 

9,522 

2,636 

4,454,416 

4,444,952 

308,578 

10,305 

707 

989 

4,874,986 

4,851,981 

150,369 

175.370 

11,362 

5,440,551 

5.538,434 
250,290 

147.045 
10,312 

5.553,142 

5,186,931 

1,030,128 

268,361 



W 



286 



42 

18 

2 

I 

17 
185 



214 
155 



219 
182 



Vice-President. 



Candidate. 



Henry Wilson . 
B. Gratz Brown 
George W. Julian 
A. H. Colquitt . 
John M. Palmer 
T. E. Bramlette 
W. S. Groesbeck 
Willis B. Machen 
N. P. Banks . . 



William A. Wheeler 
T. A. Hendricks . . 
Samuel Carv. 
G. T. Stewart. 

Chester A. Arthur . 
William H. English. 
B. J. Chambers. 
H. A. Thompson . 
Samuel C. Pomeroy. 

T. A. Hendricks . . 
John A. Logan . . . 
William Daniel. 
A. M. West. 



233 Levi P. Morton . . 
168 A. G. Thurman . 

John A. Brooks. 
. . C. E. Cunningham. 

276 j Adlai E. Stevenson 
145 : WTiitelaw Reid . . 

23 James G. Field . . 

. . i J. B. Cranfell. 



W 

286 

47 

5 

5 

3 

3 

I 

I 

I 

14 

185 

184 



214 
155 



219 
182 



233 
168 



276 

145 

23 



Electoral Commission, a commission appointed by an Act of Congress, 
Jannar}' 29, 1877, to investigate certain charges of franditlent return of 
electoral votes from Florida, Louisiana, Oregon and South Carolina, during 
the Presidential election of 1876. Ha^-es and Tilden were the respective 
Republican and Democratic candidates for that term. The commission 
numbered fifteen: three Republican Senators, two Democratic Senators, 
three Democratic Representatives, two Republican Representatives, and five 
Associate Justices of the Supreme Court. Bradley, the fifth Justice selected, 
had the casting vote. Februar>' 9, the commission sustained the validity of 
the Hayes electoral ticket in Florida, and later gave similar decisions regard- 
ing the other States. The appointment of a commission of this sort was 
hitherto an unheard-of step and has by some been deemed unconstitutional. 

Electors. The Constitution provides that a number of electors for choos- 
ing the President and Vice-President shall be appointed by each State, equal 



2i8 Dictionary op United States History. 

to the number of Senators and Representatives from that State, no one of 
them holding a public national office. Electors have been chosen in four 
different ways: by joint ballot of the State Legislatures, by a concurrent 
vote of the two branches of the Legislature, by a general vote and by a dis- 
trict vote. By 1S72, the general ticket method was adopted in every State. 
An elector is chosen from each Congressional district. Originally the electors 
voted for two persons without designating either as President or Vice-Presi- 
dent. The one receiving the greatest number of votes was President. If no 
one had a majority the House was to choose from the five highest. Under 
the Twelfth Amendment the electors vote for President and Vice-President 
as such, and if the election goes to the House of Representatives the choice 
is from the three highest instead of from the five highest, as originally 
provided. 

Elevator Cases. (See art. Munn vs. Illinois.) 

Eliot, Charles W., was born in Massachusetts in 1834. He was elected 
president of Harvard College in 1869. His administration has been marked 
by great advancement. He has written various works upon chemical and 
educational topics. 

Eliot, John (1604-1690), "the Apostle of the Indians," emigrated to 
Boston from England in 1631. Soon after his arrival he began studying the 
Indian language and translated portions of the Gospel, and in 1646 began to 
preach to the Indians without the aid of an interpreter. In 1660 he founded 
an Indian church at Natick, and in 1663 a catechism was published, the first 
publication ever made in the Indian language. The same year he completed 
a translation of both the Old and New Testaments. Eliot's Indian Bible is 
now a very rare book, commanding a very high price. 

Elizabeth (i 533-1 603), Queen of England from 1558 to 1603, granted in 
1578 to Sir Humphrey Gilbert letters patent to conquer and possess any 
heathen lands not already in the hands of Christians. Gilbert's expedition 
failed. In 1584 Elizabeth granted a similar charter to Raleigh. In 1585, 
with the Queen's assistance, Raleigh sent seven vessels and 100 colonists to 
settle in Virginia, which had been taken in the Queen's name under the 
charter of 1584 and named by Elizabeth. In 1602 Gosnold named (one of) 
the Elizabeth Islands for her. 

Elizabethtown (Brockville, near the Thousand Islands). " Here, in the 
War of 1812, were confined some American prisoners. February 7, 1813, 
Major Forsyth crossed the river, released the captives, seized some military 
stores and a number of British, and returned without the loss of a man. 

Elk Creek, Ind. Terr. Here General Blunt, leading 2400 National soldiers 
toward Fort Blunt, encountered the Confederate General Cooper at the head 
of 5000 men. A brief fight took place in which Cooper was worsted. 

Elkins, Stephen B., born in 1841, was a delegate in Congress from New 
Mexico from 1873 to 1877, was one of the defendants in the "Star route " 
trials, and was Secretary of War from 1891 to 1893, in the Cabinet of Presi- 
dent Benjamin Harrison. Elected to U. S. Senate 1895. 



Dictionary of United States History. 219 

Ellery, William (1727-1820), boni in Rhode Island, was chosen a delegate 
to the Continental Congress in 1776, and served on the board of admiralty, 
and the treasury and marine committees. He was one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, and continued, except in 1780 and 1782, a 
member of the Congress till 1 786. 

Ellicott, Andrew (1754-1S20), of Pennsylvania, surveyed and laid out the 
city of Washington in 1790, and was surveyor-general of the United States 
in 1792. In 1796 he was aj^iDointed a commissioner to detennine the bound- 
ary' between the United States and the Spanish possessions on the south. 

Elliot, Jonathan (1784-1846), came to New York from England about 
1802, served in the navy in 181 2; was editor of the collection called " Elliot's 
Debates on the Constitution," and author of numerous political works con- 
cerning the United States. 

Elliott, Jesse D. (1782-1845), entered the navy in 1804, captured the 
"Detroit "and "Caledonia" from the British at Fort Erie in 1812, com- 
manded the " Madison " at the capture of York, and served with distinction 
in the battle of Lake Erie. 

Ellis, George E., clergyman, bom in Massachusetts in 1814. Since 1887 
he has been president of the Massachusetts Historical Society. He has 
written extensively upon historical and biographical subjects, ^. _^., "The 
Puritan Age in Massachusetts." 

Ellmaker, Amos (1787— 185 1), served in the Pennsylvania Legislature from 
1S12 to 1814, was State Attorney-General from 1816 to 1819 and in 1832 
was the Anti-Masonic candidate for Vice-President of the United States. 

Ellskwatawa, born about 1770, a Shawnee Indian prophet, brother of 
Tecumseh, ordered the attack at Tippecanoe in 1811, 

Ellsworth, E. E. (1837-1861), in 1861 was appointed colonel of a regi- 
ment of Zouaves, and was shot by the proprietor of a hotel in Alexandria, 
Va., while tearing down a Confederate flag from the hotel. 

Ellsworth, Oliver (1745-1807), was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 
1 77 1, and became State's Attorney in 1775. He was a delegate to the Con- 
tinental Congress from 1778 to 1783, and from 1780 to 1784 was a member 
of the Governor's Council. He was Judge of the Connecticut Supreme 
Court from 1784 to 1787, when he became a member of the Federal Con- 
vention at Philadelphia, and was of influence in securing the compromise in 
the Constitution which reconciled the interests of the small States and the 
large States. He was a U. S. Senator from 1789 to 1796, when he resigned; 
was Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 1796 to 1800, and Envoy 
Extraordinary to France in 1799. 

Emancipation Proclamation. During the first eighteen months of the 
Civil War President Lincoln listened xmmoved to the clamorings of aboli- 
tionists for an emancipation proclamation. He declared he would preserve 
the Union without freeing the slaves, if such a thing were possible. Sep- 
tember 22, 1862, he issued a preliminary proclamation that, unless the 
inhabitants of the revolted States returned to their allegiance by January i, 



220 Dictionary of United States History. 

the slaves should be declared free. This had no effect. January i, 1863, 
the proclamation was issued declaring the freedom of slaves in all the States 
which had seceded except forty-eight counties of West Virginia, seven 
counties in Virginia, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, and 
thirteen parishes of Louisiana, including New Orleans. These districts 
were practically under the control of the Union army. Lincoln expected 
the proclamation to take effect gradually. Its legal effect has been disputed; 
its practical effect was enormous. 

Embargo, a prohibition of commerce by national authority, laid in var- 
ious forms and at various times from 1794 until 181 5. Upon the declara- 
tion of war between France and Great Britain in 1793, each Government 
ordered the seizure of neutral vessels bound for the ports of the other. This 
caused great excitement in the United States, and the first embargo was laid 
March 26, 1794, to continue for thirty days and afterward prolonged to sixty. 
In consequence of the depredations of England and France upon the neutral 
commerce of the United States, the non-importation act was passed April 
18, 1806, prohibiting trade with Great Britain and her colonies, but it did 
not go into effect until December 4. On December 22, 1807, Congress, at 
the instance of Mr. Jefferson, passed an embargo act, prohibiting the sailing 
of any merchant vessel from any American port, save coasters. The act was 
extensively evaded. The embargo failed to bring either England or France 
to terms, and meanwhile it inflicted great injury on the shipping interest 
and the export trade of the United States. On February 28, 1809, an act 
was passed repealing the embargo, and replacing it by a non-intercourse law 
which forbade British or French vessels to enter American ports. Another 
embargo act was passed in 181 3, during the war. 

Emerson, Ralph Waldo (1803-1882), an eminent American poet and 
philosopher, was born in Boston. He was ordained a preacher of the Gospel 
in 1829, but resigned his pastorate in 1832, because he could not sympathize 
with the fonnalities practiced in the church. He then began his career as 
an eminent lecturer, giving courses of lectures for the most part upon bio- 
graphical and philosophical subjects. He contributed largely to periodicals 
and published numerous works in literature and philosophy. His influence 
upon the more thoughtful portion of the American public has never been 
surpassed. He resided in Concord, Mass., during all the latter part of his life. 

Emigrant Aid Company, Massachusetts, the first organization formed 
for the purpose of settling Kansas with free-State emigrants. It was planned 
by Eli Thayer, and chartered by the Legislature of Massachusetts in April, 
1854. But before the actual work of settlement began, the " New England 
Emigrant Aid Society " took its place, with a less ambitious design. 

Emory, \A^illiam K., born in 1811, was one of the Mexico and U. S. 
boundary commissioners, and served with distinction during the Civil War, 
at Yorktown, vSabine Cross-Roads, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, attaining 
the rank of major-general. 

Endicott, John (1588 ?-i665), arrived from England in 1628 to assume 
the government of the colony at Salem, where he continued Governor till 



Dictionary of United States History. 221 

1630, at which time the government of the Massachusetts Company and colony 
■was transferred to New England. From 1641 to 1644 and in 1650 he was 
Deputy Governor, and was made Governor in 1644, 1649, and from 1651 to 
1665 except 1654, when he was again Deputy Governor. In 1645 he was 
appointed to the highest command in the colonial army, and in 1658 was 
made president of the colonial commissioners. He was a man of firm con- 
victions and choleric disposition, who tolerated no divergence from the 
strictly orthodox in religion, and meted out a severe type of justice to all 
who disobeyed the laws of the colony. 

Endicott, William C, born in 1827, 'w^ ^ Judge in the Massachusetts 
Supreme Court from 1873 to 1882, and from 1885 to 1889 was Secretary of 
War in Cleveland's Cabinet. 

Endicott Rock. The so-called Endicott Rock, with its inscription dated 
1652, fixed the northern limit of New Hampshire at the head waters of the 
IVIerrimac River, and as a part of Massachusetts. 

England, John (1786— 1842), born in Ireland, was made Bishop of North 
and South Carolina and Georgia in 1850, and was the first Catholic clergy- 
man invited to preach in the Hall of Representatives at Washington. 

English, William H., born in 1822, was secretary of the Indiana Consti- 
tutional Convention in 1850, Speaker of the State Legislature in 1851, U. S. 
Congressman from 1853 to 1861, and the Democratic candidate for Vice- 
President in 1880. Died 1896. 

Entails were unknown in New England. South Carolina abolished them 
in 1733, Virginia in 1776, Georgia in 1777, Maryland in 1782, North Carolina 
in 1784. 

" Enterprise," an American brig of fourteen guns. Captain Burrows. 
September 5, 1813, the brig, while sailing oflf the Maine coast, met the 
British brig " Boxer," also of fourteen guns. Both vessels opened fire at the 
same time. The wind was light and the cannonading very destructive. 
The " Enterprise," crossing the bows of the " Boxer," gave such a raking 
fire that the latter surrendered. The battle lasted forty minutes. Both 
commanders were killed. Two days later the prize was taken into Portland 
harbor. 

Entomological Commission, a commission created by Act of Congress, 
March 3, 1877, and placed under the supervision of the Interior Department. 

" Epervier," brig. (See " Peacock.") 

Episcopal Church. (See Protestant Episcopal.) 

Epworth League, an organization of young people of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church formed in 1889. There are now (1893) 10,972 local leagues 
and over 650,000 members. 

Equal Rights Party, 1884, the title assumed by a party headed by Belva 
Lockwood in 1884. Belva Lockwood was its self-nominated Presidential 
candidate, her platform advocating woman suffrage. (For the earlier Equal 
P.ights party, see Loco-focos.) 



222 Dictionary of United States History. 

Era of Good Feeling, a name applied to the period between 1817 and 
1823, during Monroe's administration, when national political contests were 
suspended, the Democrats having a triumphant majority and the Federalist 
party being almost extinct. The War of 181 2 was ended and the new issues 
of tariff and internal improvement had not arisen. Monroe's inaugural 
address soothed the few Federalists and the leaders of both parties joined in 
receiving the President and announcing the "era of good feeling." 

Eric the Red, a Norwegian who is reported to have been banished from 
Iceland aud to have gone on a voyage of discovery about 981, in which he 
landed at a place previously discovered by Gunnibom. On his return three 
years later he called it Greenland. Thither about 985 he led an expedition 
and planted a colony. About 986 a vessel on its way to the settlement wan- 
dered from its course and landed on a coast nine days' sail south of Greenland, 
and in 1000 A. D., a son of Eric the Red made a voyage of discovery to this 
region and named it Vinland, which is supposed to have been somewhere 
on the New England coast. Authorities differ as to the authenticity of this 
account, but the general opinion prevails that some such discoveries were 
made, though the details are not reliable. 

Ericsson, John (1803-1S89), born in Sweden, early in life gave promise 
of great achievements in invention. He came to the United States in 1839, 
and in 1841 produced the war steamer " Princeton," which revolutionized the 
navies of the world. During the Civil War he was employed in building 
monitors; the first of which, the " Monitor," destroyed the Confederate iron- 
clad " Merriraac," in 1862. He is the author of a great number of valuable 
inventions, the most important of which are connected with engines and 
naval equipments. 

Erie Canal, the most important artificial water-course in the United States. 
Its construction was conceived by De Witt Clinton in 181 2, and begun as a 
State work in 1817, being completed in 1825. ^^ extends 363 miles through 
New York State, through what was, at the time of its commencement, a 
wilderness, from the Hudson River at Albany and Troy to Lake Erie at 
Buffalo. Clinton had at first intended it should be a national enterprise, and 
from the interest he displayed, he was deputed with others to lay the plan 
before the General Government, but without success. It was executed instead 
as a State work, chiefly during his Governorship of New York. It contrib- 
uted enormously to the development of the West and of the trade prosperity 
of New York City and State. Property along the canal has increased enor- 
mously and the tolls have been a valuable addition to the State revenue. 

Erie, Fort, Can., during the War of 181 2, was abandoned and fired with 
all its stores. May 28, 1813, by orders of General Vincent. The same day 
the .\mericans crossed the Niagara and took possession of the ruins. After 
the Americans had withdrawn from the Canadian shore, the British rebiiilt 
the fort and stationed there 170 men under command of Major Buck. July 
3, 1813, General Jacob Brown, preparatory to an invasion of Canada, 
invested the fort, and on demand it surrendered. The fort was now 
strengthened, and made capable of enduring a siege. After the battle of 
Niagara, the British advanced against the American position. From 



Dictionary of United States History. 223 

August 7 to 14 the bombardment was almost incessant. At two o'clock on 
the morning of the fifteenth, the British, 1500 strong, tried to surprise the 
Americans. Attacks were made upon three points, but one only was suc- 
cessful. The main bastion of the fort was captured and held against all 
attack. Suddenly its magazine blew up with tremendous force, the attack 
was renewed and the British retreated, leaving 221 dead, 174 wounded and 
186 prisoners. The Americans lost, all told, 137 men. The siege still con- 
tinued, the attacking works were continually pushed nearer; but on Sep- 
tember 17 General Brown, in charge at the fort, planned a sortie to destroy 
the British works. An attack in three divisions was arranged and executed 
under cover of a fog. It was completely successful. The works were 
captured and destroyed, the British broke camp and gave up the siege, 
leaving behind over 800 men killed, captured or wounded. When the 
Americans finally abandoned Canada, Fort Erie was blown up November 5, 
1814, and never rebuilt. 

Erie Purchase, a purchase of land, in 1788, made by the State of Penn- 
sylvania. The tract is now included in Erie County, and is still known as 
the " Erie Purchase." 

Erskine, David Montagu, Baron (1776-1855), was British Minister to the 
United States from 1806 to 1809 (being then simply Mr. Erskine). In 1809 
he ofiicially announced that atonement would be made for the " Chesapeake " 
outrage, and that the British orders in council would be withdrawn, pro- 
vided the American embargo and non-intercourse acts ceased as to Great 
Britain. In consequence of this. President Madison proclaimed that, on 
June 10, 1809, all interdicts against Great Britain would cease. The British 
Ministry repudiated the Erskine arrangements and declared them unauthor- 
ized. President Madison was, therefore, compelled to restore the suspension 
of intercourse on August 9. 

" Essaie du Michigan," the earliest newspaper issued in Michigan. It 
was published by Father Gabriel Richard in English and French, the first 
edition appearing at Detroit August 31. 1809. Only eight or nine numbers 
appeared. 

" Essex," U. S. frigate of thirty-two guns. Captain Porter, was attacked 
on August 13, 1812, by the " Alert," a twenty-gun sloop-of-war. One broad- 
side from the "Essex " nearly sunk the "Alert," and caused its surrender. 
Late in the year the " Essex " started on an independent cruise in the 
Pacific. Here it did noble service. It captured nearly every British whal- 
ing vessel off the west coast of South America, and deprived the enemy of 
$2,500,000 worth of property and 360 seamen. In February', 1814, it was 
surprised while in the port of Valparaiso by the appearance of two British 
men-of-war, the "Phoebe," thirty-six guns, and the " Cherub," twenty-two 
guns. On March 28, 1814, the " Essex " set sail for the open sea, and was 
at once attacked by the enemy. It was a desperate and bloody battle. 
After two-thirds of its men had been killed or disabled, including every 
oflScer but one, and with his vessel a helpless wreck, Captain Porter sur- 
rendered. 



224 Dictionary of United States History. 

Essex Junto, the name applied first by John Hancock in 1781 to a group 
of leaders of Essex County, Massachusetts, and their adherents. They were 
upholders of the commercial interests of the country, and desired a stronger 
Federal Government. Upon the development of the Federal party they at 
once fell in line and were extreme members of that party. President Adams 
accused them of trying to force a war with France in 1798-99, and thus 
they acquired a national reputation. During the embargo period the name 
became a synonym for New England Federalism. Among its number were 
Fisher Ames, Cabot, the Lowells, Pickering, Theophilus Parsons, Higgin- 
son and Goodhue. 

Estaing, Charles H. T., Count d' (1729-1794), a French naval officer, 
commanded the fleet sent in 1778 to aid the colonies against Great Britain, 
and brought Gerard, the first French Envoy to the United States. He 
planned an attack upon the British fleet in Newport harbor, but the cam- 
paign was not successful, and in 1779 with General Lincoln he attempted to 
take the city of Savannah by assault. He captured a number of British ves- 
sels and on his return to France he prevailed upon the Ministry to send 6000 
men to America under Count de Rochambeau. 

Eustis, William (i 753-1 825), represented Massachusetts in Congress from 
1801 to 1805, and from 1820 to 1823. From 1809 to 1813 he was Secretary 
of War in Madison's Cabinet. From 1814 to 1818 he was Minister to Hol- 
land, and from 1823 ^° 1825 was Governor of Massachusetts. 

Eutaw Springs, Battle of, September 8, 1781. Shortly after the capture 
of Ninety-Si.x, Greene moved upon the British so secretly they were not 
aware of his presence. At Eutaw Springs he came upon them. At 4 a. m. 
on September 8, Greene attacked the British in his usual order. The 
militia in the first line under Marion and Pickens did gallant service and 
were supported by the regulars in the second line. A bayonet charge fol- 
lowed, the British were routed and many fell or were made prisoners. A little 
later the retreating British took shelter in a brick house. Greene's artillery 
was brought to bear upon it in vain. The gunners viere shot and the pieces 
captured. A cavalry charge by Colonel Washington was repulsed and that 
officer was taken prisoner. Thus there were two engagements. In the first 
Greene won a brilliant victory, in the second he lost many of his best men. 
The total American loss was 554, that of the British 1000. Again a tactical 
defeat proved to the Americans a strategic victory. In the course of the 
night the British retreated to Charleston in such haste as to leave their 
wounded. 

Evans, George (1797— 1867), was born in Portland, Me. He was a mem- 
ber of the State Legislature from 1825 ^^ 1828. He represented Maine in 
the House of Representatives from 1829 to 1841, and was elected to the 
Senate, serving from 1841 to 1847. He was chairman of the Committee on 
Finance, and was an authority on questions of the tariff and finance. 

Evans, Sir George de Lacy (1787-1870), led the British soldiers who 
destroyed the public buildings in Washington in 1814, and served at Bladens- 
burg, Baltimore and New Orleans. 




GENERALS OF THE REVOLUTION. 



Francis Marion. Lafayette. 

Nathaniel Greene. Horatio Gates. 

Henry Lee. George Washington 

Philip Schuyler, 
John Paul Jones. Israel Putnam, 



Henry Knox 

Charles Lee. 

Rochambeau. 
Anthony Wayne. 
Baron Steuben. John Sullivan 



Dictionary of United States History. 225 

Evarts, William Maxwell, lawyer and Senator, was born in Boston in 
181 8. In i860 he was chairman of the New York delegation to the Repub- 
lican convention. In 1865 and 1866 he established the unconstitutionality 
of State taxation of U. S. bonds or National Bank stock, and in 1868 was 
counsel for President Johnson in the impeachment trial. From 1868 to 
1869 he was Attorney-General of the United States, and in 1872 was U. S. 
counsel on the " Alabama " claims at Geneva. In 1877 he was the Republican 
counsel before the Electoral Commission, and was Secretary of State from 
1877 to 1881, in the Cabinet of President Hayes. He was a delegate to the 
International Monetary Conference in 1881, and from 1885 to 1891 was a 
U. S. Senator from New York. 

Everett, Alexander H. (1792-1847), of Boston, charge d'affaires to the 
Netherlands from 1818 to 1824, was Minister to Spain from 1825 ^o 1829, 
and was a prolific writer upon political, economic and literary subjects. 

Everett, Edward (1794-1865), an eminent American statesman, orator 
and scholar, was born in Massachusetts. He was graduated from Harvard 
at the age of seventeen, and in 1813 was ordained pastor of a church in 
Boston, but resigned in 181 4. In 1819 he accepted a position as professor 
of Greek at Harvard College and held it until 1829, when he became editor 
of the North AmericaJt Revieiv. From 1836 to 1840 he was Governor of 
Massachusetts, chosen by the Whigs. He was appointed Minister Pleni- 
potentiar}' to Great Britain, and served from 1841 to 1845, when he became 
president of Harvard, resigning in 1849. He was Secretary of State for 
four months in 1852 at the close of President Fillmore's administration, 
and from 1853 ^o 1854 was a member of the U. S. Senate. In i860 the 
" Constitutional Union party " made him its candidate for the Vice-Presi- 
dency. 

Everett, William, son of Edward Everett, was born in 1839. He was 
assistant professor of Latin at Harvard from 1863 to 1881, and became prin- 
cipal of the Adams School in 1882. In 1893 he was elected to Congress 
from Massachusetts as an Independent Democrat. 

Evertsen, Cornelis, a Dutch naval officer, bom in Zealand. In command 
of a squadron he secured the surrender of New York by the British in 1673, 
changed its name to New Orange, and re-established the old form of govern- 
ment, with Colve as Governor. 

Ewell, Richard S. (1817-1872), general, was graduated at the U. S. 
Military Academy in 1840, and served in the Mexican War from 1846 to 
1848. He entered the Confederate army as a brigadier-general, fought at 
Blackburn's Ford and at Bull Run, and was promoted major-general in the 
Shenandoah campaign. He served with distinction at Malvern Hill and at 
Cedar Mountain. In 1863 he commanded Jackson's troops, and fought at 
Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House. He surrendered 
to Sheridan in 1865 at Sailor's Creek with his entire force of 6000 men. 

Ewing, Thomas (i 789-1 871), statesman, bom in Ohio, was admitted to 
the bar in 1816. From 1831 to 1837 he represented Ohio in the U. S. 
Senate, where he supported Clay's tariff system, advocated the recharter of 

15 



226 Dictionary of United States History. 

the U. S. Bank, and also the " Force Bill," and opposed the removal of the 
deposits from the U. S. Bank. In 1841 he was appointed Secretary of the 
Treasury in Harrison's Cabinet, and was the first Secretary' of the Interior, 
serving in Taylor's Cabinet from 1849 to 1850. From 1850 to 1851 he was 
in the U. S. Senate, succeeding Thomas Corwin. 

Excise Law. The first excise law was passed after an excited debate in 
1790, Secretary Hamilton insisting upon the necessity of such an enactment. 
It levied a tax varying from nine to twenty-five cents upon every gallon of 
liquors distilled in the United States and a higher rate for imported liquors. 
Lower rates were established in 1792. The opposition was strong through- 
out the country, culminating in the Whisky Insurrection in Pennsylvania in 
1794. During Jefferson's administration the excise was abolished, but was 
revived in 1813 during the War of 1812, imposing a tax on liquor, sugar, 
salt, carriages, and instruments of exchange, and a stamp duty. In 181 7 these 
duties were repealed and no excise duty was levied until 1862, during the 
Civil War. This system embraced taxation upon occupations and trades, 
sales, gross receipts and dividends, incomes of individuals, firms and corpo- 
rations, manufactures, legacies, liquors, tobacco, distributive shares and suc- 
cessions. (See Internal Revenue.) 

Executive. The executives of the colonies were their Governors, appointed 
by the crown in most colonies, elected by the people in Rhode Island and 
Connecticut and in early Massachusetts. At the outbreak of the Revolution, 
after the royal Governors had ceased to control and before the new Consti- 
tutions were set up, the executive was the committee or council of safety. 
The States, in making their Constitutions, mostly instituted Governors, 
though some created an executive council, forming an executive like that of 
Switzerland. From 1775 to 1789 the U. vS. Government had no other execu- 
tive than Congress. The Constitution of 1787 gave executive powers to the 
President, the Senate sharing in the executive powers of appointment and 
treaty making. There was talk in the convention of a plural executive, but 
a single head was finally resolved on. Executive departments had already 
come into existence. The Continental Congress at first managed all execu- 
tive business through committees. Later, commissions were formed, partly 
of its own members, partly of others. Early in 1781 Congress organized 
departments under single heads — the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, the Super- 
intendent of Finance, the Secretary of War and the Secretar>' of Marine. 
The history of these offices and of the departments which followed them in 
1789, may be seen under their names individually. 

Exeter, N. H., was founded about 1638. During the latter part of the 
seventeenth and early part of the eighteenth century the town suffered 
severely from attacks by Indians, especially in 1690 and 1709. Phillips 
Exeter Academy was established here in 1781. 

Exhibitions. The first exhibition of national importance held in the 
United States was one held in New York in 1853, the next the Centennial 
of 1876, held at Philadelphia, both as an international exposition of this 
country's progress in its hundredth year of existence and an anniversary'. 
The Centennial was under the management of the city of Philadelphia, and 



Dictionary of United States History. 227 

was open from May 10 to November 10. Many foreign nations were rep- 
resented. The exhibition cost over $15,000,000. The International Cotton 
Exposition was held at Atlanta, Ga., from October 5 to December 31, 1881. 
It was suggested by Mr. Edward Atkinson, of Boston, and was designed to 
show the progress in the manipulation of cotton. The Southern Exposition 
opened at Louisville, Ky., August i, 1883, and continued 100 days. The 
World's Columbian Exposition was created by Act of Congress April 25, 
1890. The dedication ceremonies took place October 21, 1892, and the 
opening May i, 1893. The exposition terminated October 30. The total 
cost was about $25,000,000. The exposition was held at Jackson Park, Chi- 
cago, nearly every nation being represented. The Midwinter Exhibition in 
California, 1893—94, is also to be noted. 

Expatriation. There is no law in the United States permitting the vol- 
untary' expatriation of a citizen. Expatriation has been pleaded before the 
Supreme Court frequently, but has been allowed in no case. It has been 
claimed that freedom of emigration involved the right of voluntary expa- 
triation and many learned authorities have argued that such is the fact, and 
that expatriation is a natural right. So far as custom and usage sanctions 
the right has been accorded, the United States Government having in a 
number of instances refused protection to both native-born and naturalized 
citizens on the grounds that they have expatriated themselves. 

Expenditures. In 1794 the total expenditures of the Federal Government 
amounted to $6,300,000, in 1814 they temporarily ran up to $34,700,000. 
In 1834 they were $18,600,000; in 1854, $55,000,000. During the war they 
ran up to $1,295,000,000 in 1865. Then they declined to $237,000,000 in 
1878. During the ensuing decade they averaged $260,000,000 per annum. 
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893, they were $459,400,000. Of the 
annual expenditures, interest charges have sometimes been a large amount. 
(See Debt.) In times of peace, expenditures for the army have usually been 
about two-thirds those for the civil departments of Government work, those 
for the navy about two-thirds those of the army. Since 1888 pensions have 
been the largest item. 

Exports. The specie value of American exports in 1790 was $20,200,000. 
Except in years of war and embargo exports steadily rose until in 1836 they 
amounted to $129,000,000. In i860 they amounted to $400,000,000; in 
1870 to $451,000,000; in 1880 to $871,000,000; in 1892 to $1,113,000,000. 

Express. This system of transportation was begun March 4, 1839, by 
William F. Harnden, who established express communication between New 
York and Boston. Alvan Adams and P. B. Burke started the Adams Express 
Company in 1840. The Wells Fargo Company was started in 1845, the 
United States Express Company in 1853. 

Expunging Resolution. In 1834 a resolution of censure had been adopted 
by Congress against President Jackson for removing certain money deposits 
from the Bank of the United States. This resolution was expunged by the 
"Expunging Resolution " of Januar}^ 16, 1837, Senator Benton being the 
prime mover toward its adoption. Clay, Webster and Calhoun opposed it 



228 Dictionary of United States History. 

with vehemence. A black line was drawn in the Journal around the resolu- 
tion of censure, and the words " Expunged by order of the Senate this six- 
teenth day of January, 1837," inserted. 

Extra Sessions. (See Sessions.) 

Extradition, International. The first treaty of the United States which 
made any provision for extradition was the Jay Treaty of 1794, and Con- 
gress made no law to carry this into effect. After this, the first extradition 
treaty concluded by the United States was the Treaty of 1842 with Great 
Britain. In 1875, in the case of a criminal who had committed an offense 
not mentioned in the treaty, the United States procured his extradition, on 
another charge, then tried him on the first. Great Britain protested against 
this. In many ways the Treaty of 1842 had become inapplicable to modern 
conditions. In 1886, the Phelps-Rosebery Convention, which aimed to sub- 
stitute a more satisfactory system, was rejected by the Senate. But in 1889 
the Senate ratified the Blaine-Pauncefote Convention, which accomplished 
the desired results. Extradition treaties have been concluded with all the 
leading countries of the world, and most «f the minor countries: France, 
1843; Hawaii, 1849; Switzerland, 1850; Prussia, 1852, etc. 

Extradition, Interstate. The New England Confederation of 1643 pro- 
vided for the mutual extradition of criminals, and so did the Articles of 
Confederation. The Constitution provides that a person charged with crime 
in any State, who flees to another State, shall, on demand of the Governor 
of the State from which he fled, be given up. An act of 1793 provided the 
process. 

Ezra Chapel, Ga. Here, July 28, 1864, Hood, leading about 30,000 Con- 
federates from his intrenchments in Atlanta, which was then invested by 
Sherman's Army of the Tennessee, advanced against the Federal troops, con- 
sisting of three corps under Sherman and Logan. The Federals were 
engaged in throwing up earthworks, but stopped hastily and received Hood's 
charge staunchly. Hood was defeated with great loss and forced back to 
iis fortifications within the town. 

F=. 

Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines, Va., a two days' engagement in the Penin- 
sular campaign, May 31, June i, 1S62, between the Confederates, numbering 
about 35,000 men under Johnston, and a detachment of some 11,000 troops 
of McClellan's army under Casey. That leader had been sent across the 
Chickahominy River, and was accordingly isolated from the main army. 
Johnston decided to attack him. He therefore sent Hill and Longstreet 
against Casey's left flank and Gustavus Smith against his right. Casey was 
overwhelmed, and retreated to Couch's position at Seven Pines, where the 
latter was fiercely defending himself and waiting for reinforcements from 
Heintzelnian. The Confederates were forcing their way down along the 
Chickahominy to Bottom's Bridge, when they were intercepted by Sumner's 
batteries and routed with great slaughter. 



Dictionary of United States History. 229 

Fairchild, Charles S., born in 1842, was Attorney-General of New York 
from 1876 to 1878. He was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in Cleve- 
land's Cabinet from 1887 to 1889. 

Fairchild, Lucius, born in 1831, was Governor of Wisconsin from 1865 
to 187 1. He was U. S. Consul at Liverpool from 1872 to 1878, Consul- 
General in Paris from 1878 to 1880, and U. S. Minister to Spain from 1880 
to 1882. Died 1896. 

Fairfax, Thomas, sixth Baron (1691-1782), came from England to an 
inherited estate of over five million acres in Virginia, where he lived from 
1745 to 1782. He was a patron and intimate friend of Washington. 

Falling Waters, W. Va., a smart skirmish between Federal and Con- 
federate troops under Generals Patterson and Johnston respectively. This 
occurred early in July, 1861, during Patterson's campaign in West Virginia. 

Falmouth, Mass. (See Portland, Me.) 

" Falmouth Gazette and Weekly Advertiser." This newspaper, the first 
printed in j\Iaine, was established at Portland, Me., by Titcomb and W^hite, in 
1785. In 1786 it was changed to the Ctimbcrlaiid Gazette^ and in 1792 to the 
Eastern Herald. In 1796 it was consolidated with the Gazette of Maine ^ 
and was published as the Eastern Herald and Gazette of Maine. Again in 
1804 it was united with the Portland Gazette. In 1831 it was established as 
a daily under the title of the Advertiser^ but was suspended for two years, 
beginning with 1866. In 1S68 its publication was once more resumed, and 
continues at the present time, in connection with the weekly edition, under 
the name of the Advertiser. 

Faneuil, Peter (1700-1743), a rich merchant of Boston, was born in New 
York, of French blood. He is honored as the giver of Faneuil Hall to the 
city of Boston in 1742. 

Faneuil Hall, the gift to Boston of Peter Faneuil, a merchant. The 
hall was begun in 1740. It was designed to be both a market-house and a 
place of public meeting. In 1761 it was destroyed by fire. It was restored 
in 1763, and was used as a theatre during the British occupation of Boston, 
in 1775. In 1805 it was enlarged by the addition of a third story and an 
increase in width. During the Revolution it was the usual meeting place of 
patriots, and was the scene of many stirring debates and important resolu- 
tions. It has been called the " Cradle of American Liberty." 

Fannin, James W. (1800-1836), of T^as, commanded a force in 1836 at 
Coleta River against General Urrea. After his surrender 357 of their num- 
ber, including Fannin, were shot by the Mexicans. 

Fanning, Edmund (1737-1818), at first a clerk of the North Carolina 
Supreme Court and a legislator. In 1777 he commanded a corps of loyal- 
ists, and fled to Nova Scotia at the close of the war, having been notorious 
for his barbarity as a leader in partisan warfare. 

Farewell Address. Upon Washington's retirement in 1796 he adopted 
the suggestion made him by ^Madison, and delivered a farewell address to the 
American people, partly from Madison's draft of 1792 and partly from a 



230 Dictionary of United States History. 

draft made by Hamilton and himself. Its most important paragraph was a 
recommendation of abstention from interference in European affairs. 
Andrew Jackson also delivered a farewell address in 1837. 

Faribault, John B. (i769?-i86o), a pioneer of great influence over the 
Indians among whom he traded; was the first to cultivate land west of the 
Mississippi and north of the Des Moines. 

Farmers' Alliance, an anti-secret, national organization of agriculturists 
for mutual improvement and furtherance of political ends. It was founded 
in New York in 1873 ahd spread rapidly westward. Alliances were at first 
State organizations. The national organization was completed in 1889 with 
the " Agricultural Wheel " under the name of " National Farmers' Alliance 
and Industrial Union." Annual conventions have been held at different 
places, the most noted at Ocala in 1890. The Alliance is opposed to national 
banks, the alien ownership of land, special privileges and Federal election 
laws. 

Farmington, Miss., occupied by General Pope's brigade of Halleck's 
Federal army. May 20, 1862. Halleck was engaged in concentrating his 
forces about Corinth, and Pope was ordered to push on and occupy Farming- 
ton. Buell was to join Pope at this place, but was delayed, and Pope's 
advance was therefore slow. Two brief, but severe engagements took place 
May 3 and 9, before Pope finally joined Buell. The Confederates wei;^e 
defeated. 

Farmington, Tenn., a battle of the Civil War during Wheeler's raid 
through Tennessee. At Farmington Wheeler fell in with Crook, leading 
a strong National force, who effectually stopped his ravaging in that neigh- 
borhood, by defeating him. 

Farragut, David Glasgow (i 801-1870), the most famous naval hero of 
modern times, entered the U. S. navy at the age of nine. In the War of 
1812, while a mere boy, he was intrusted with important missions; but in 
the long period of peace he found little opportunity for distinction. A 
Southerner by birth, he threw in his lot with the Union, and toward the 
end of the first year's fighting in the war he was assigned to important com- 
mand. He had charge of the flotilla in the approach to New Orleans in 
April, 1862; his fame was foimded on the passage of the river past the forts 
on April 24, which caused the fall of the cit}' and its delivery into the 
hands of the Federals under Butler. On June 28 he ran the batteries of 
Vicksburg, and the following year, having meanwhile received the rank of 
rear-admiral, he contributed to the fall of Port Hudson and the final open- 
ing of the river. The greatest event in Farragut's life, and one of the 
greatest naval battles in modern times, was the battle of Mobile Bay on 
August 5, 1864. Farragut's oversight of the contest while lashed to the 
mast of his flag-ship, the " Hartford," has become one of the most familiar 
episodes of the war. The office of vice-admiral was specially created for 
him in December, 1864, and that of admiral in 1866. 

Fast Days. The following days have, by Presidential proclamation, 
chiefly in time of war, been appointed as days of national fasting, humiliation 



Dictionary of United States History. , 231 

and prayer: May 9, 1798, January 12, 1815, September 26, 1861, April 
30, 1863, August 4, 1864, June i, 1865, September 26, 1881, the last on 
account of the death of Garfield. 

Faulkner, Charles J. (1806-1884), author of the Fugitive Slave Law of 
1850, was a U. S. Congressman from Virginia from 185 1 to 1859, Minister 
to France from 1859 *^o 1861, when he was recalled as disloyal. He was a 
U. S. Representative from 1875 to 1877. 

Fauquier, Francis (1720 ?-i768), was an able and popular Governor of 
Virginia from 1756 to 1768, was opposed to all disloyalty, and was the 
author of several minor works on finance. 

Federal Hall, in New York, the building upon the balcony of which 
George Washington received the oath and made his first inaugural address, 
April 30, 1789. The Hall had been fitted up for the use of the first 
Congress. 

" Federalist," a collection of papers first published in the Independent 
Journal, of New York City, by Hamilton, Madison and Jay, from October, 
1787, until March, 1788. They were eighty-five in number and appeared 
under a joint signature, " A Citizen of New York " at first, afterward " Publius." 
The first of these essays appeared immediately after the adoption of the 
Constitution. They were in explanation and defense of the new system of 
government. Gouverneur Morris was also invited to take part, but was pre- 
vented by private business. Jay wrote five, Hamilton fifty-one, IMadison 
twenty-six and their joint effort contributed three, by the most probable 
conclusions. These papers did much toward securing the ratification of the 
Constitution, and form one of the most important commentaries on the Con- 
stitution. 

Federalists, Federal Party, the first political party which had control of 
the Federal Government. When the Constitution of 1787 was before the 
people for ratification, those who favored its adoption took the name of 
Federalists, giving to its opponents that of Anti-Federalists. In the First 
Congress, definite party divisions were not found. Before the second had 
ended, there was a definite division between Federalists and those who called 
themselves Republicans or Democrats. Hamilton was the leader of the 
former, Jefferson of the latter. Hamilton's financial measures had been 
acceptable to those who desired strong government, the commercial classes, 
those who wished to see the Union drawn still more closely together, still 
further in the direction of centralization and national consolidation. Their 
opponents stigmatized them as monarchists. Beside Hamilton and Vice- 
President John Adams, the party's chief leaders were Fisher Ames, Cabot, 
Sedgwick, Strong, Pickering and Quincy, of Massachusetts; Ellsworth, 
Tracy, Griswold and Hillhouse, of Connecticut; Rufus King, Jay and 
Gouverneur IMorris, of New York; Dayton, of New Jersey; Bayard, of Dela- 
ware; Marshall, Henry Lee, of Virginia, and C. C. Pinckney, of South 
Carolina. Washington was more inclined to this party than to the other. 
Its strength was always greatest in New England. When war broke out 
between England and France in 1793, the Federalists, conservative and 



232 • Dictionary of United States History. 

averse to the French Revolution, favored Great Britain. In 1796 they 
elected John Adams President, but failed to elect Thomas Pinckney Vice- 
President. In 1797 they tried to bring the countr}- into war with France, 
but Adams, never so extreme as the bulk of the party, prevented this; the 
result was a schism in the party. In 1798 the party passed the Alien and 
Sedition laws, which forever destroyed their popularity. In the election of 
1800 Adams and Pinckney were decisively defeated by Jefferson and Burr; 
the causes were, the acts mentioned, internal dissensions, and the indifference 
of intellectual and acute leaders to popular feelings. During the administra- 
tions of Jefferson and Madison the party dwindled. As an opposition party, 
it took strict-constructionist ground. Some of its leaders engaged in projects 
for a disruption of the Union. Finally, its unpatriotic course in the War of 
1812 and the odium excited by the Hartford Convention destroyed it utterly. 
Holding the Government during the critical years 1789-1801, it had given 
it strength, but it distrusted the people too much for permanent success in 
America. 

Felton, Cornelius C. (1807-1862), appointed Greek professor at Har\-ard 
in 1834, was president of Harvard from i860 to 1862, and was the author of 
many classical works. 

Fenceviewers, town officers appointed in the early days of the New Eng- 
land colonies to look after fences. They had to take care that the fences 
were four feet high, of reasonable strength and in a good state of repair, 
and they had considerable authority to carry out these orders. 

Fenians, an organization of Irish-American revolutionists, established 
in 1 86 1, which advocated the forcible separation of Ireland from England. 
By 1863 they had a large following in this countr}', John O'Mahoney being 
the moving spirit. Emissaries visited all parts of the countrj'. The British 
Government watched them closely and spoiled their nearly matured plans 
for revolution by seizing, September 15, 1865, their organ, the Irish People, 
in Ireland and arresting a number of their leaders, Luby, O'Leary and 
O'Donovan Rossa. O'Mahoney proposed to establish an independent govern- 
ment in America, and a convention was held at New York in 1865 for that 
purpose, O'Mahoney being elected president. The Fenians made several 
attacks along the Canadian frontier in 1866, and rebellion broke out in Ireland 
in 1867. It was quickly suppressed and the Feuiaus rendered harmless. 

Fenton, Reuben E. (1819-1885), was born in New York. He was a 
Representative to Congress from New York from 1857 to 1S64, when he was 
elected Governor and served until 1868. He succeeded E. D. Morgan in the 
U. S. Senate and served from 1869 to 1875, and was chairman of the U. S. 
Commission at the Paris International Monetary Conference in 1878. He 
was a prominent Republican leader. 

Ferguson, Patrick, died in 1780. He was a British soldier who came to 
America in 1777, fought at Brandj-wine, was active along the Hudson in 
1779, and was promoted major for services at the siege of Charleston. He 
enlisted many loyalists in South Carolina, but was defeated at the battle of 
King's Mountain. 



Dictionary of United States History. 



233 



Ferry, Orris S. (1823-1875), was born in Connecticut. He was Judge 
of Probate in 1849, a member of the Connecticut Legislature from 1855 to 
1857, and a U. S. Representative from 1859 to 1861. He served during the 
Civil War, being promoted to brigadier-general in 1862. He was a U. S. 
Senator from 1867 to 1875. 

Ferry, Thomas W., born in 1827, was a member of the Michigan House 
of Representatives in 1850, and Senator in 1856, and was a member for 
Michigan in the Chicago Republican Convention of i860. He was a Rep- 
resentative in the U. S. Congress from 1865 to 1871, and a U. S. Senator 
from 187 1 to 1883. He acted as president of the Senate from 1875 to 1877, 
during which time he presided over the impeachment trial of Secretary Bel- 
knap, and over the joint meetings during the electoral count of 1877. D. 1896. 

Fessenden, William Pitt (1806— 1869), was born in New Hampshire. He 
was admitted to the bar in 1827, and soon began practice in Portland, Me. 
He served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1832 to 1840, 1845 
to 1846, and 1853 to 1854. He was a member of the Whig National Con- 
ventions of 1840, 1848 and 1852, and became one of the founders of the 
Republican party. He was elected to the U. S. Congress from 1841 to 1843, 
and served in the U. S. Senate from 1854 to 1864, when he was appointed 
Secretary of the Treasury by President Lincoln, and served till 1865. He 
was again a U. S. Senator from 1865 to 1869. While in the Senate he made 
a famous speech against the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and in 1861 was appointed 
chairman of the Finance Committee, where he vev}' ably sustained the 
national credit. He was one of the seven Republican Senators who voted 
for the acquittal of President Johnson in the impeachment trial of 1867. 

F. F. V's, an abbreviation of " First Families of Virginia," applied gen- 
erally to the Southern aristocracy. The term was of Northern origin. 

Field, Cyrus West (1819-1892), born in Massachusetts, was engaged in 
business in New York till 1853. He conceived the idea of a submarine tele- 
graph across the Atlantic, and formed the New York, Newfoundland and 
London Telegraph Company, consisting of Peter Cooper, Moses Taylor, 
Marshall Roberts and Chandler White. The necessary' rights for fifty years 
were obtained, and communication was secured in 1858, but the cable proved 
worthless after a few weeks. The Atlantic Telegraph Company was formed 
and attempts were made with the "Great Eastern" in 1865 and 1866, the 
last of which was completely successful. For this great achievement he 
was honored both at home and abroad. After this success he was active in 
improving the rapid transit system of New York. 

Field, David Dudley (1805-1894), was prominent in law reform move- 
ments. From 1S47 to 1850 he was a commissioner to prepare "Codes 
of Civil and Criminal Procedure," now in several instances adopted; and 
from 1857 to 1865 was chairman of a New York commission to prepare 
political, penal and civil codes. In 1873 he published "Outlines of an 
International Code," which has attracted wide attention. 

Field, Stephen J., brother of Cyrus W. and David D., born in Connecti- 
cut in 1816, practised law with his brother, David Dudley, and went to 



234 Dictionary of United States History. 

California in 1849, being one of the founders of Marysville. In the first 
State Legislature he served on the Judiciary Committee, where he was active 
in improving the judiciary system. From 1857 ^^ 1864 he was Judge of the 
California Supreme Court, and Chief Justice from 1859 to 1863, when ^^ 
was appointed to the U. S. Supreme Court by President Lincoln. He was a 
Democratic member of the Electoral Commission in 1877. He still serves 
upon the supreme bench (1894). 

Fifty-four forty or fight. Under the treaty with Spain of 1819, parallel 
42° was fixed as the northern limit of that country's possessions in America. 
Between 42° and 54° 40' lay the special " Oregon country," claimed by both 
England and the United States. English fur-traders had passed to the south 
of parallel 49°, below which surveys had been made by the United States, and 
where settlements were being slowly made. In 1844 the hot-headed among 
the Democrats started the cry, " Fifty-four forty or fight," referring to 54° 
40', for which limit they wished to resort to war. For a time war seemed 
inevitable, but in 1846 a treaty was concluded fixing the boundary between 
the British and United States possessions at 49° north latitude. 

Filibusters, a name borrowed from the West Indian freebooters of the 
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and applied to associations originating 
in the United States for the ostensible purpose of freeing Cuba and other 
West Indian islands or Central American districts from European control. 
The acquisition of Texas was a successful filibustering expedition. In 1850 
Lopez, a Cuban, Governor Quitman, of Mississippi, and others, were arrested 
for violating the neutrality law of 1818, by a proposed filibustering expedi- 
tion against Cuba. They were afterward released. In 1855 General William 
Walker, with a California company, sailed on a filibustering expedition 
against Nicaragua. He took possession of the country', was elected President 
and was recognized by the American Minister. He surrendered to the United 
States, but organized another expedition in i860. He was captured and shot 
by the President of Honduras. This ended filibustering. The term " fili- 
buster " as used in respect to parliamentary proceedings, in the sense of 
engaging in dilatory tactics, is no doubt derived from this, in the meaning 
of carrying on irregular warfare. 

Fillmore, Millard (i 800-1 874), was born in New York. He was admitted 
to the bar in 1823 and began practice in Aurora, N. Y. He was elected by 
the Anti-Masons a member of the New York House of Representatives from 
1829 to 1831, and drafted the bill abolishing imprisonment for debt. He 
represented New York as a Whig in the Congress of the United States from 
I S3 3 to 1835, and again from 18.37 ^o 1843, when he served as chairman of 
the Ways and Means Committee and drafte4 the tariff bill of 1842. From 
1847 to 1849 he was State Comptroller. In 1848 he was elected Vice-Presi- 
dent of the United States on the Whig ticket with Zachary Taylor for Presi- 
dent. After the death of Taylor on July 9, 1850, he became President and 
served until March 3, 1853. During his administration the Compromise Acts 
of 1850 were passed and the Japanese expedition of 1852 was arranged. In 
1856 he was defeated as the National American candidate for President of 
the United States. He commanded a corps during the Civil War, and was 
president of the Bufialo Historical Society. 



Dictionary of United States History. 235 

Filson, John (1747-178S), was an early explorer on the Western frontiers 
of the United States, who collected and published much information in 
regard to the history of Kentucky. 

Finance. (See Revenue, Expenditure, Debt, Banks, Tariff, Silver, 
Treasury, Greenbacks, Treasury Notes, Internal Revenue, Customs, etc.) 

Findlay, W^illiam (1768-1846), was a member of the Pennsylvania Legis- 
lature in 1797 and 1803, State Treasurer from 1807 to 1817, Governor from 
1817 to 1820 and a U. S. Senator from 1821 to 1827. 

Finney, Charles G. (1792-1875), clergyman, met with great success as 
an evangelist. In 1834 the Broadway Tabernacle, in New York, was con- 
structed for him. From 1851 to 1866 he was president of Oberlin College. 

Fire-eaters, a name given, especially in the fifties, to those Southern 
politicians who were most extreme in their advocacy of Southern claims 
and in their hostility to the North and to anti-slavery agitation. 

Fiscal Bank of the United States. In 1841, Tyler having just taken 
Harrison's place as President, the Sub-Treasury Act was repealed, and the 
Whigs passed an act chartering the Fiscal Bank of the United States. 
Tyler vetoed the bill, to every one's surprise. Another bill, framed with 
Tyler's approval, was then passed, but its opponents had filled the Presi- 
dent's mind with jealousies and suspicions, so he vetoed this bill also, and 
the Whigs could not override the veto. 

Fish, Harriilton (1808-1893), born in New York City, was admitted to the 
bar in 1830. He was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives from New 
York, serving from 1843 to 1845, ^^^ was a State Senator in 1847. He was 
Governor of New York from 1848 to 1850, and was a U. S. Senator from 
1851 to 1857. He was Secretary of State in Grant's Cabinet, serving from 
1869 to 1877. He negotiated the Treaty of Washington in 1871, and the 
St. Domingo treaties. 

Fish Commission, created by Act of Congress in 1870. The head of 
this department is the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. There is also 
an Assistant Commissioner. These officers collect statistics of fish and fish- 
eries of the whole country, experiment concerning the best methods of 
capture, and investigate the food and habits of fish. 

Fisher, Fort, N. C, twice assaulted by the Federals during the Civil 
War. The fort protected the harbor of Wilmington. The first attack was 
made December 23 and 25, 1864, by Porter's fleet and a land force of 6500 
men under Butler and Weitzel. The fleet contained 500 guns. Butler 
attempted to blow up the fort with a powder boat, but failed. This attempt 
to take Fort Fisher failed, so Grant sent 1500 more men under Tern,', and 
on January 13 and 15, 1865, a combined attack was made by land and sea. 
The fort was garrisoned by Whiting with 2300 Confederates. Throughout 
the thirteenth the fleet kept up a continuous fire, but the garrison held out 
bravely. On the fifteenth the land force made an attack, and a hand-to-hand 
fight of five hours took place. Then the fort surrendered, the entire garri.son 
being captured. Next day the powder magazine blew up, killing 200 men. 



236 Dictionary of United States History. 

Fisheries Question. Previous to the Revolution fishermen of the Ameri- 
can colonies had free access to the fishing grounds of Labrador, Newfound- 
land and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Subsequently to the war this privilege 
was protested against by the inhabitants of the Canadas. The question was 
long debated. Finally a compromise was effected in the Treaty of Paris, 
September 3, 1783. United States fishermen were allowed access to the 
fishing grounds of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, the St. Lawrence 
and the Magdalen Islands, on an equal footing with British fishermen, in 
such parts as were unsettled or where permission could be obtained from the 
settlers. The War of 181 2 did away with this treaty, the fishery right was 
denied the United States and Canadian Governors were instructed to exclude 
our fishermen. A commission of the two countries decided in 1818 that the 
United States should forever have the right to fish on the western and north- 
ern coast of Newfoundland and the Magdalens only. Reciprocal trade 
being established between the United States and Canada by the Treaty of 
1847, fishing was allowed the former in all British colonies except Newfound- 
land, which refused consent. This treaty was terminated in 1866 by the 
United States and the conditions of 181 8 were revived. By the Treaty of 
Washington in 1871, the United States fishermen were allowed to take fish 
of any description, except shell-fish, in all Canadian waters, the British fisher- 
men to have the same privileges in United States waters north of latitude 39° 
north. 

Fisher's Hill, Va., a battle of the Civil War between Sheridan's army of 
the Shenandoah Valley, about 20,000 strong, and Early, commanding a large 
Confederate force. After the battle of Opequan, when Early was^defeated, 
the latter retreated to Fisher's Hill and was there overtaken, October 21, 
1864, by Sheridan. Early held an unusually strong position. The Eighth 
Corps gained a wooded approach in the Confederate rear, attacking the Con- 
federates thence while they were busy with Sheridan's main command on 
their front. The success of this plan was instantaneous. The Confederates 
fled in all directions, and were pursued by Sheridan to the Blue Ridge. 

Fishing Creek, Battle of, August 18, 1780. At this place General Sumter 
had taken his position with considerable stores and 100 prisoners captured 
from the British. Here Tarleton attacked him and routed his forces, freed 
the captives, recovered the boot}-, and besides took 300 prisoners. 

Fishing Creek. (See Mill Springs.) 

Fisk, Clinton B. (1828-1890), entered the Civil War as colonel and 
became major-general. He was president of the Indian Commission under 
President Grant, and was the Prohibitionist candidate for President in 1888. 

Fiske, John, bom in 1842, first came to public prominence as an 
expounder of the theory of evolution, making extensive and valuable con- 
tributions. vSince 1869, residing in Cambridge, he has lectured on Ameri- 
can history throughout the United vStates and in England. Among his works 
relating to the history of the United States are, " The Critical Period of 
American History," " The Beginnings of New England," " Civil Govern- 
ment in the United States," " The Discovery and Spanish Conquest of 
America," and " The American Revolution." 



Dictionary of United States History. 237 

Fitch, John (i 743-1 798), was born in Connecticut. He was a watch- 
maker, and at tlie outbreak of the Revolution, engaged in gun-making for 
the American forces. He spent the winter with the troops at Valley Forge, 
and in 1780 was appointed deputy-surveyor of Virginia. In 1785 he con- 
structed a boat propelled by steam power, and in 1790 one of his improved 
passenger boats plied regularly between Philadelphia and Burlington. 
Robert Fulton is said to have had access to his drawings and papers, and it 
was proved by the courts in 181 7, that his inventions and those of Fitch were 
in substance the same. 

Fitzpatrick, Benjamin (1802-1869), Governor of Alabama from 1845 to 
1855, was a U. S. Senator in 1848 and 1849, and from 1853 to 1861. He 
earnestly supported the Confederacy. 

Five-Cent Piece, or Half Dime, originally a silver coin authorized in 
1792, and coined the same year (original weight, 20.8 grains). In 1853 it was 
reduced to 19.2 grains. In 1873 it was discontinued. In 1866 the coinage 
of nickel five-cent pieces was authorized, the value remaining, as at first, 
one-twentieth of the standard dollar. The legal-tender value was, however, 
reduced from five dollars to thirty cents. There were no issues of half 
dimes during the years 1798, 1799, 1804, 1S06 to 1828 inclusive. Some 
silver half dimes were the first coins struck by the U. S. Mint in 1792. 

Five Forks, Va. , a battle of the Civil War which practically sealed the 
fate of Richmond and Petersburg. It occurred April i, 1865, during that 
last celebrated campaign. Here Sheridan cut to pieces Pickett's Confederate 
troops after many hours of the most desperate and sanguinary fighting of 
the whole war. The Confederates lost over 5000 in killed and prisoners. 
This victory for the Federals precipitated a general attack upon the Con- 
federate lines on April 2. 

Five Nations. (See Iroquois.) 

Five-twenties. Bonds bearing six per cent interest payable in gold, and 
redeemable at any time after five years from the date of issue, and payable 
in full at the end of twenty years, issued by the U. S. Government in 1862, 
1864 and 1865. 

Flag. The Stars and Stripes gradually grew; it was a creature of circum- 
stance; there is no record of its birth. Among the colonies the British was, 
of course, the recognized standard. Here and there were minor modifica- 
tions, but the retention of the " union " with its two crosses of St. Andrew 
and St. George marked all as essentially British. Even after the beginning 
of the Revolution the union was retained to show that the war did not 
mean separation. Congress made at first no effort to fix a national standard. 
There were two classes of flags in vogue in the early years of the Revolu- 
tion, the " pine tree " flags of New England origin, and the " rattlesnake " 
flag, more national in its make-up. The latter was white with a rattlesnake 
cut into thirteen pieces, each marked with the initial of a colony, and the 
legend _/(?/«, or die. The need of a national flag became evident in 1775. 
The stripes were first used by a Philadelphia light-horse troop, and Congress 
adopted them in 1775 on the recommendation of a committee consisting of 



238 Dictionary of United States History. 

Franklin, Lynch and Harrison, still retaining the British "union." This 
flag was raised over the American headquarters at Cambridge, Mass., January 
I or 2, 1776. After the Declaration of Independence, Congress, June 14, 
1777, ordered the "union" to be displaced by thirteen stars. It was first 
displayed at the battle of Brandy wine, September 11, 1777. On the admis- 
sion of Vermont and Kentucky, 1794, two new stripes were added, but by 
the Act of April 4, 1818, the number of stripes was limited to thirteen, the 
number of stars increasing with the number of the States. (See also Revenue 
Flag and Stars and Bars.) 

Flagg, Azariah C. (1790-1873), an influential New York politician, was 
appointed Secretary of State in 1826 by Governor Clinton, and served till 
1833, was Comptroller of New York from 1834 to 1839 and 1842 to 1846, 
and was a member of the " Albany Regency " and one of the founders of 
the Barnburner faction. 

Flanaghan, Webster, born in 1832, was a brigadier-general in the Con- 
federate army. He was a member of the Texas Constitutional Conventions 
of 1869 and 1875; was Lieutenant-Governor in 1871 and served in the 
Republican National Conventions of 1872, 1880 and 1884. 

Flatheads, a term incorrectly applied to the Selish Indians. They have 
always been friendly to the whites and originally resided on the Bitter Root 
or St. Mary's River. In a treaty approved in 1859 they ceded all their lands 
to the United States, and in 1871 were removed to a reservation in northwest 
Montana. 

Fletcher, Benjamin, was appointed Governor of New York by William 
and Mary. He arrived in 1692 and received a commission to assume also 
the government of Pennsylvania, which he did in 1693. -^^ '^^^ zealous in 
the extension of the English Church. In 1698 he was deposed on account 
of suspicions of complicity with pirates. 

Fletcher vs. Peck, a breach of covenant case before the Supreme Court in 
1809-10, by writ of error from the Circuit Court of Massachusetts. Peck 
had sold to Fletcher certain lands in the State of Georgia, which had been 
purchased from the State. The breach assigned was that the Legislature of 
Georgia had no authority to dispose of the lands. Peck had averred that the 
title was good and that by the Act of the Georgia Legislature of January 7, 
1795, the State was empowered to dispose of unappropriated lands. But in 
1796 this act was repealed (see art. Yazoo Frauds). The Supreme Court 
decided that the grant of land by the State was a contract, and that the Act 
of 1796, impairing the obligation of this contract of 1795, was therefore 
unconstitutional and void. 

Flogging. Until 1850 this was one of the punishments inflicted in the 
navy. It was abolished in that year in the navy and on merchant vessels. 
It was finally prohibited in the army in 1861. 

Florida was acquired by the treaty with Spain of February 22, 1819, 
which was not finally ratified by Spain until 1821. It was first discovered 
by Ponce de Leon, a Spaniard, in 15 13, on Easter day, whence its name. 
It was explored by Narvaez in 1528, and by De Soto in 1539. In 1564 a 



Dictionary of United States History. 239 

settlement was made near Florida by French Huguenots under Laudonniere, 
but in the following year Melendez sailed from Spain to exterminate the 
heretics; and having founded St. Augustine, 1565, massacred the entire French 
colony. The Spaniards held Florida until 1763, when they exchanged it 
with England for Cuba. In 1783 England gave Florida back to Spain in 
exchange for the Bahama Islands. In 1795 the territory west of the Perdido 
was ceded to France, and passed into the possession of the United States 
with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. During the War of 1812 the govern- 
ment of Florida was weak, and the State became a refuge for fugitive slaves 
and Indians. The Governor of Georgia sent a force against them, which 
increased the disorder. In 1818 General Jackson invaded Florida, attacked 
the Seminoles and captured Pensacola, which was restored to Spain. Ceded 
by Treaty of 1819, in 1822 Florida became a territory of the United States, 
and in 1845 it was admitted as a State. In 1835-44 ^ war with the Seminoles 
resulted in their removal to the Indian Territory. From 1845 to 1852 the 
State was controlled by the Whigs, when it became Democratic. An ordi- 
nance of secession was passed by a State Convention, January 10, 1861. It 
was restored to its full standing as a State on June 25, 1868. From this 
time until 1876 the Republicans controlled the State. In that year the 
dispute over the electoral vote was decided by the Electoral Commission at 
Washington in favor of the Republicans. Since 1876 the State has been 
Democratic. In 1869 Alabama offered $1,000,000 for West Florida, and a 
popular vote in that part of the State voted in favor of the annexation to 
Alabama, but it was not accomplished. The present Constitution was made 
in 1868. The population of the State in 1845 ^^^ 54i477) ^^ 1890 it was 
391,422. 

" Florida," a Confederate cruiser fitted out in England in 1862, and sail- 
ing at first under the name of the " Oreto." She proceeded immediately to 
Nassau, in the Bahama Islands, and was twice seized, but eventually escaped. 
Her name was then changed to the " Florida." For two years she did great 
damage to the Union cause all along the coast and among the West Indies. 
She was captured atid s unk October 7, 1864, in the Brazilian harbor of 
Bahia, by the Union vessel " Wachusett," Captain Collins, who surprised 
her when unprepared for battle. }- fr- -^^v- ' * ^' 5-. J-- >._ > •. ' f^f ' 

Flower, Roswell P., born in New York in 1835, represented New York 
in Congress from 1881 to 1883 as a Democrat, and was elected Governor of 
New York in 1892. 

Floyd, John (1770-1837), a States-rights Democrat from Virginia, in 
Congress from 1817 to 1829, was Governor of Virginia from 1830 to 1834, 
and was a personal friend of Jefferson, Madison, Crawford and Jackson. In 
1832 South Carolina cast her electoral votes for him as President. 

Floyd, John B. (1807-1863), was born in New York. He served in the 
Virginia Legislature in 1847-1849 and 1853, and was Governor from 1850 
to 1853. He was appointed Secretary of War by President Buchanan, and 
served from 1857 to i860, when he resigned. He was accused of conspiracy 
in aiding the Secessionists while Secretary of War, especially in removing 
•war materials to Southern arsenals. He joined the Confederate army as a 



240 Dictionary of United States History. 

brigadier-general and fought at Fort Donelson, but was soon after relieved 
of command by Mr. Davis. 

Floyd, William (1734-1821), was a delegate from New York to the Con- 
tinental Congresses from 1774 to 1783, and signed the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. He was a State Senator from 1777 to 1778, and a member of 
the first U. S. Congress from 1789 to 1791. He was a Presidential elector 
in 1800, 1804 and 1820, and again State Senator in 1808. 

Folger, Charles J. (1818-1884), was chairman of the Judiciary Committee 
of the New York Senate from x86i to 1S69, and was appointed by Presi- 
dent Grant assistant treasurer in New York City, 1869 to 1870. He was 
made Associate Judge of the State Court of Appeals in 1871, Chief Justice 
in 1S80, and Secretary of the Treasur>' in Arthur's Cabinet from 1881 to 
1884. In 1882, as Republican candidate for Governor of New York, he 
received a remarkable defeat at the hands of Mr. Cleveland. 

FoUen, Charles T. C. (1796-1840), born in Germany, came to America 
in 1824, and from 1825 to 1834 was professor of German at Harvard Col- 
lege. He was an ardent anti-slavery advocate. 

Foot, Solomon (1802-1866), was a member of the Vermont Legislature 
in 1833 and 1836, and Speaker in 1837, 1838 and 1847. He was a Whig 
Congressman from 1843 to 1847, ^^^ Senator from 1857 to 1866. 

Foote, Andrew H. (1806-1863), entered the navy in 1822, and from 1849 
to 1852 was active in suppressing the African slave trade. At the beginning 
of the Civil War he was placed in command of the western flotilla. In 1862, 
in connection with the army of General Grant, he compelled Fort Henry to 
surrender and aided in a combined attack upon Fort Donelson. He suc- 
ceeded in capturing Island No. 10 from the Confederates, and in 1863 was 
promoted rear-admiral. He was one of the most noble and courageous 
officers of the U. S. navy. 

Foote, Henry S. (1800-1880), was elected a U. S. Senator from Missis- 
sippi in 1847, and served till 1852, when he became Governor of the State 
and served till 1854. He was a zealous opponent of secession in the South- 
ern convention at Knoxville in 1859, but served in the first two Confederate 
Congresses. He published " Texas and the Texans " and " The War of the 
Rebellion." 

Foote, Samuel A. (1780-1846), was a Representative from Connecticut 
in the U. S. Congress from 1819 to 1821 and 1823 to 1825; was Speaker of 
the State Legislature from 1825 to 1826, and a U. S. Senator from 1827 to 
1833. In the Senate he offered the resolution which caused the famous 
debate between Webster and Hayne. He was Governor of Connecticut in 
1834. 

Foraker, Joseph B., was born in 1846. He served in the Army of the 
Cumberland during the war; was Judge of the Cincinnati Superior Court from 
1879 to 1882, and Republican Governor of Ohio from 1886 to 1890. 

Forbes, John (17 10-1759), British soldier, was appointed brigadier-general 
in America in 1757, and was adjutant-general in the expedition against 



Dictionary of United States History. 241 

Louisbourg. He commanded the expedition against Fort Duquesne, accom- 
panied by Washington with 2000 Virginians; and after taking possession 
named it Fort Pitt (now Pittsburg), in honor of William Pitt. 

Force, Peter (1790-1868), an enthusiastic collector of materials for Ameri- 
can history-, from 1823 to 1830 published the National Journal^ the first to 
be called an "official organ." From 1833 to 1867 he was occupied in prepar- 
ing a documentar>' history of the Revolution. Nine volumes, entitled ' ' Ameri- 
can Archives," were published. The remainder still waits for publication. 
Colonel Force collected 22,000 books and 40,000 pamphlets relating to colo- 
nial history, probably the most valuable collection then in existence. 

Force Bill. After the passage of the Act of 1828, authorizing a higher 
protective tariff system, great discontent prevailed through many of the 
Southern States. In 1832-33 South Carolina claimed that State power to 
nullify objectionable Federal enactments was an integral feature of American 
constitutional law. A bill, nullifying the protective tariff law, prepared 
according to John C. Calhoun's theor}', was passed by the State Legislature. 
A bill to enforce the tariff law was therefore at once introduced into Congress 
and became law March 2, 1833. It was called the " force bill," or the " bloody 
bill." Compromise adjusted the trouble. — During the reconstruction period, 
at the first indication of an attack on the reconstructed governments, Congress 
at once took steps to defeat the attempt. A bill for the enforcement of the 
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, commonly called the " force bill," 
was passed in Congress by a strict party vote and became law May 31, 1870. 
It made punishable by fine or imprisonment all attempts at intimidation, 
bribery or hindrance in the matters of registration and qualif\-ing for voting. 
April 20, 187 1, a much more stringent law was enacted to jjut down the con- 
spiracies against civil rights b)' the Ku-Klux Klan and similar organizations. 
— The name has recently been applied to the Lodge Election Bill. July 2, 
1890, a bill " to amend and supplement the election laws of the United States, 
and to provide for a more efficient enforcement of such laws," passed the 
House, having been submitted by Lodge, of Massachusetts, but was forced 
out of the way in the Senate by a combination of Democratic and Repub- 
lican Senators anxious for the adoption of free coinage legislation. 

Forefathers' Day. The celebration of the landing of the Pilgrims began 
in 1769. At that time December 11, old style, was taken to be December 
22 of new style, instead of December 21, as it should be. Hence an error 
and confusion regarding the day was perpetuated. 

Foreign Affairs, Secretary of. This office was created by the Continental 
Congress, January 10, 1781, upon the urgent appeal of the representatives 
in foreign countries. Robert R. Livingston, of New York, was the first to 
fill the office. The secretary' had charge of all matters concerning foreign 
governments and interstate affairs as well. His scope was much restricted 
at first, but was enlarged by reorganization in 1782. Later (i 784-1 789) the 
office was held by John Jay. 

Forney, John W. (1817-1881), between 1837 and 1855 edited the Demo- 
cratic Intelligencer, Journal a.nA Pennsylvaniati. From 1851 to 1S55 he was 
16 



242 Dictionary of United States History. 

clerk of the U. S. House of Representatives, and also edited the Union. He 
edited the Press, of Philadelphia, from 1857 to 1859, when he again became 
clerk of the House, and edited the Chronicle till 1870. From 1861 to 1867 
he was clerk of the U. S. Senate, and in 1879 established the Progress, of 
Philadelphia. 

Forrest, Edwin (1806-1872), born in Philadelphia, made his first appear- 
ance on the stage in 1820. After his appearance as " Othello," at the Park 
Theatre in New York, in 1826, his success was almost uninterrupted. He 
was most successful in melodramatic plays, and was exceedingly popular as 
Othello, Richard HI., Coriolanus, I^ear, Spartacus and Damon. At Philadel- 
phia he collected the largest dramatic library in the United States. 

Forrest, Nathan B. (1821-1877) born in Tennessee, enlisted in the Con- 
federate service, and commanded a regiment of cavalry at Fort Donelson. 
He took part in the battle of Shiloh, and made a successful attack upon. 
Murfreesboro. He served at Chickamauga in 1863, captured Fort Pillow in 
1864, and surrendered to General Wilson, at Gainesville, in 1865. 

Forsyth, John (1780-1841), born in Virginia, was made Attorney-General 
of Georgia in 1808. He was a Democratic Congressman from 1813 to 1818 
and a U. S. Senator from 1818 to 1819, when he was appointed Minister to 
Spain, serving till 1823 ^^"^ securing the cession of Florida to the United 
States. He was again a U. S. Congressman from 1823 to 1827, when he 
was elected Governor of Georgia. From 1829 to 1834 he was a U. S. 
Senator, and from 1834 to 1841 was Secretary of State in the Cabinets of 
Jackson and Van Buren. 

" Fortune," a vessel which arrived at Plymouth November 11, 1621, 
bringing thirty-five colonists to strengthen the feeble number of the Pilgrims 
and a patent from the president and council of New England empowering 
the grantees to make laws and set up a government. 

Fortune Bay. Under the fisheries treaty of 187 1 between the United 
States and Great Britain, our fishermen were granted a participation in the 
Newfoundland fishing grounds. In January, 1878, in violation of these 
provisions, several Gloucester vessels were attacked by the natives at Fortune 
Bay, and driven away. Great Britain awarded damages of ^15,000. 

Forward, Walter (1786-1852), was a Congressman from Pennsylvania 
from 1822 to 1825, and was active in the State Constitutional Convention in 
1837. He was appointed First Comptroller of the Treasurv' in 1841, was 
Secretary of the Treasury in Tyler's Cabinet from 1841 to 1843, ^^^ Charge 
d'affaires to Denmark from 1849 ^o 1851. 

Foster, Sir Augustus J. (1780-1848), was appointed British Minister Pleni- 
potentiary to the United States in 181 1. His manners were not conciliatory, 
and the difficulties which led to the War of 1812 were not settled. He 
returned in 181 2. 

Foster, Charles, born in Ohio in 1828, was a member of Congress from 
1870 to 1S76, and ser\'ed on the Committee of Ways and Means. He was 
Governor of Ohio from 1879 to 1884. From 1891 to 1893 he was Secretary 
of the Treasury in Harrison's Cabinet. 



Dictionary of United States History. 243 

Foster, John W., born in Indiana in 1S36, served in the Civil War, com- 
manding in East Tennessee; and was Minister to Mexico from 1873 to 1880; 
to Russia from 18S0 to 1881, and to Spain from 1883 to 1885. From 1892 
to 1893 he was Secretary of State in the Cabinet of President Harrison. 

Foster, Lafayette S. (1806-1880), was bom in Connecticut, a descendant 
of Miles Standish. He was admitted to the bar in 1831, was elected to the 
State lyCgislature in 1839, 1840 and 1846, and was Speaker in 1847, 1848 
and 1854. He was a U. S. Senator from 1855 to 1867, and served on the 
committees on land claims, public lands, pensions, the judiciary and foreign 
relations, and was president of the Senate from 1865 to 1867. He was 
Speaker of the Connecticut Assembly in 1870, and was a judge of the State 
Supreme Court from 1870 to 1876. 

Foster, Stephen S. (1809-1881), anti-slavery agitator, studied for the 
ministry, but zealously opposed the pulpit for upholding slavery, and pub- 
lished " The Brotherhood of Thieves: a True Picture of the American 
Church and Clerg\'," and many articles on the abolition of slavery. 

Four Years' Law, a law passed by Congress in May, 1820, limiting the 
term of office of all persons employed in collecting the revenue to four years. 
The bill was hurried through with little debate and signed by President 
Monroe after a brief consideration. Its purpose was avowedly to bring 
revenue accounts for inspection each year and withhold reappointment for 
remissness. Its framers have been suspected of passing it in order to 
strengthen Crawford's chances for the Presidency. At all events, its passage 
much facilitated the growth of the spoils system. It included all postmasters. 

Fox, George (1624-1691), founder of the Society of Friends, came to 
America and visited the colonies of Mar>'land, New Jersey, New York and 
Rhode Island (1671-73). 

Fox, Gustavus V. (1821-1883), enlisted in the navy in 1838, and served 
most efficiently as Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1865, when 
he was sent to Russia on a special commission and secured Alaska for the 
United States. 

Foxes, a tribe of Algonquin Indians and kinsmen of the Sacs. They 
were early driven from place to place, and finally settled on the Wisconsin. 
In the Revolution they joined the British under De Langlade. They made 
a treaty in 1804 and ceded lands, but with the English attacked Sandusky 
in the War of 1812. In 1824 and 1830 they ceded large tracts of land. 
Though involved in the Black Hawk War they gave up more of their terri- 
tory in a treaty with General Scott at its close. Later they centred on the 
Des Moines, and in 1842 were removed, settling on the Osage. 

France. The first treaty which the independent States of North America 
made was with France, February 6, 1778. An offensive and defensive alli- 
ance was thus effected between the two countries against Great Britain, and 
the " essential and direct end " was to maintain the sovereignty and inde- 
pendence of the United States. The United States, as an equivalent, guar- 
anteed to the crown of France all its then possessions in the West India 



244 Dictionary of United States History. 

Islands; exclusive mutual privileges were granted as to ships of war and 
privateers bringing prizes into port. France powerfully aided in securing 
American independence, by troops under Rochambeau and fleets under 
D'Estaing and De Grasse. The attempt of the United States to escape the 
responsibilities of its guarantees gave rise to strained relations during the 
French Revolution, but the treaty of 1800 (to remain in force eight years) 
restored good feeling between the two countries, and in the amendments on 
each side the old treaties entirely disappeared. On April 30, 1803, France 
ceded to the United States the province of Louisiana, as it had been retro- 
ceded from Spain to France in 1800, for the payment of 60,000,000 francs, 
independent of the assumption of spoliation claims against France, which 
amounted to 20,000,000 francs more. In 1831 a mutual settlement of all 
claims was agreed upon between the two countries, the United States agree- 
ing to pay 1,500,000 francs, and France 25,000,000. Difficulties arising 
from this treaty postponed the fulfillment of its provisions, and it was not 
until 1836 that the whole matter was settled. Conventions for the extradi- 
tion of criminals were concluded in 1843, 1845, ^^S^ ^"^^ ^^93- A consular 
convention was concluded in 1853. French difficulties in Mexico, the Civil 
War of the United States and the war of 1870-71 between France and 
Germany gave rise to claims on the part of citizens of each countr)- against 
the other. Accordingly the convention of 1880 was concluded by which 
commissioners were appointed for the settlement of these claims. The com- 
missioners finally allowed claims of $2,636.21 against France, and claims of 
$625,566.35 against the United States. A reciprocity treaty was concluded 
March 15, 1892. (See also French Revolution, and Directory.) 

Frank, Manor of, a territory with privilege of local self-government 
granted to certain Welsh colonists, known as the " Free Society of Traders," 
by William Penn, March 20, 1682. The grant empowered them to hold 
courts of sessions and jail deliveries, and to appoint certain civil officers. 
The company purchased 20,000 acres of Penn. 

Frankfort, Ky., was laid out in 1787, and was made the capital of the 
State in 1792. It was held by the Southern forces for a month in 1862. 

Frankfort Land Company, a company formed in 1686 of wealthy and 
distinguished persons of Germany and Holland. The members were chiefly 
Pietists, and they had intended coming to Pennsylvania themselves, but 
gave up the idea, so the colonists were led by Francis Daniel Pastorius, a 
lawyer and scholar. They came out in 1683, and began the foundation of 
Germantown the same year. Later the company was organized, and 25,000 
acres were purchased from William Penn. 

Franking Privilege, a privilege formerly enjoyed by the President, Vice- 
President, the Cabinet officers, the members of Congress, the delegates from 
the Territories and a few others, of sending mail matter free. To each of 
the first four Presidents this privilege was voted for the remainder of his 
life, and it has also been voted to the widows of ex-Presidents. The privi- 
lege as regards individuals was abolished in February, 1873, but there is 
still a provision permitting packages and business letters to be sent free from 
the departments. 



Dictionary of United States History. 245 

Frankland, Sir Charles Henry (1716-1768), collector of the port of 
Boston from 1741 to 1757, is noted on account of his romantic connection 
with Agnes Surriage, a maid at a Massachusetts tavern, who afterward 
became Lady Frankland. He was a man of great wealth, and lived in a 
state of luxury unusual in colonial times. 

Frankland or Franklin, the name given to a State assumed to be organ* 
ized by the inhabitants of what is now Tennessee, In 1784, in revolt from 
the control of North Carolina. A Constitution was framed and ratified by 
popular vote, a Legislature and a Governor, John Sevier, were elected, and 
civil war with the older parts of North Carolina seemed imminent,. But the 
party favorable to the old government suppressed the State government of 
Frankland in 1788, and the cession of the lands to the United States, in 
1790, quieted the disturbance. 

Franklin, Benjamin (January 17, 1706-April 17, 1790), one of the most 
eminent American statesmen, philosophers and writers, was born in Boston, 
the son of a tallow-chandler and soap-boiler. He was apprenticed to his elder 
brother, a printer, and developed an eager fondness for books and writing. 
At seventeen he ran away to Philadelphia, where, in 1729, he established a 
newspaper. His public spirit, his talents as a writer and the fame of his 
scientific discoveries advanced him in prominence. In 1753 he was appointed 
deputy postmaster-general of the British colonies. In 1754, being a member 
of the Albany Convention, he proposed an important plan for colonial union. 
From 1757 to 1762, and again from 1764 to the Revolution, he was agent of 
Pennsylvania in England; part of the time, also, for Massachusetts, New 
Jersey and Georgia. In 1773, acting as agent for the political leaders in 
Massachusetts, he sent over to them the correspondence of Hutchinson, 
Oliver and other Massachusetts loyalists with a confidant of the British 
Ministr}'. The publication of the letters aroused great excitement in the 
colonies, and brought down upon Franklin violent abuse on the part of the 
ministerialists, and dismissal from his office of postmaster-general. In 1775, 
seeing that reconciliation was impossible, he returned to Pennsylvania, and 
was at once chosen a delegate to the Continental Congress. In 1776 he was 
one of the committee of five who drew up the Declaration of Independence, 
and in the autumn was sent to join Arthur Lee and Silas Deane in the 
mission to France. In Paris he was received with great enthusiasm. He 
succeeded in obtaining from the French Government not only the treaty of 
1778, but also large sums of money supplied in secret before that govern- 
ment declared war on England and openly afterward. Franklin had a leading 
part in the beginnings of negotiation with Great Britain for peace and 
independence. In respect to the actual manner in which the treaty was 
concluded, he was overruled by x\dams and Jay, who deemed it best, con- 
trary to the instructions of Congress, to negotiate apart from France and 
make separate terms. Franklin played an important part in the arrange- 
ments of the treaty, especially those respecting the loyalists. After the 
Treaty of Versailles had thus been signed (September 3, 1783), Franklin 
negotiated a favorable treaty with Prussia. In 1785 Franklin returned to 
America, and was chosen president of Pennsylvania, and again in 1786 
and 1787. He was an influential member of the Convention of 1787, and 



246 Dictionary of United States History. 

died at Philadelphia a few years later. Beside his eminence as a statesman 
and as a philosopher and scientific discoverer, Franklin was noted as a 
shrewd and practical philanthropist, and was one of the best of English 
writers. Writings edited by Sparks (1850) and by Ford (1887); autobi- 
ography; lives by Parton and Hale. 

Franklin, William (i 729-1813), last royal Governor of New Jersey, was 
an illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin. During a residence in Great 
Britain he was appointed Governor of New Jersey, and held the office from 
1762 to 1776. In that year he was arrested as a Tory by the provincial 
Congress of New Jersey. In 1778 he was exchanged, lived in New York 
till the close of the Revolutionary War, and then retired to England, where 
he died. 

Franklin, William B., general, born in Pennsylvania in 1823, was 
graduated at West Point in 1843, and served with distinction in the Mexi- 
can War, during which he was attached to the staff of General Taylor. 
From this time to 1861, he was engaged in engineering work for the Gov- 
ernment. He entered the Civil War as a colonel of the regular army, and 
took part in most of the battles of the Peninsular campaign, commanding 
the Sixth Army Corps throughout the year 1862. At Fredericksburg he 
commanded the left wing, and was removed by General Burnside after the 
battle. The order of removal was not approved by President Lincoln, and 
Burnside resigned his command. In 1863-64 Franklin commanded the 
Nineteenth Corps and took part in the Red River expedition. 

Franklin, Tenn., scene of an important battle of the Civil War, Novem- 
ber 30, 1864. General Hood, Confederate, attempted to draw Sherman back 
from his march through Georgia by moving northward into Tennessee and 
attacking Thomas. At Franklin Hood brought to a stand a portion of 
Thomas' army under Schofield, and, after several desperate attacks, com- 
pelled him to withdraw. But the Confederate loss was 5500, while that of 
Schofield was 2300. Soon followed Thomas' great victory over Hood at 
Nashville. 

Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., under the control of the 
Reformed (German) Church, was founded in 1853 by the consolidation of 
Franklin College (founded 1787) and Marshall College (founded 1836). Its 
theological seminary was founded in 1825. 

Fraser, Simon (1729-1777), British brigadier-general, who in 1776 had 
commanded at Three Rivers, had command of Burgoyne's right wing in his 
advance upon New York. He won the victory of Hubbardton on July 7, 
1777, but was mortally wounded in the battle of Saratoga, October 7. 

Frayser's (or Fraser's) Farm, Va., also called Glendale, an action in the 
Seven Days' fighting in the Peninsular campaign, on the fifth day, June 30, 
1862. McClellan was retreating to the James, pursued by Jackson. Long- 
• street and A. P. Hill attacked him at Frayser's Fann, intending to pierce 
his line. The Confederates attacked McCall's division with reckless impetu- 
osity, but failed to break the line. They lost 7000 men killed, wounded 
and missing, the Federals 4000. 



Dictionary of United States History. 247 

Frederic II. (1712-1786), King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786, in 1783 
instructed his ambassador in Paris to make friendly overtures to the Minis- 
ters of the United States there. Offers of a treaty of commerce and naviga- 
tion were made in 1784, and in 1785 such a treaty was signed. Frederic 
sent General Washington a sword. " from the oldest general in the world to 
the greatest." 

Frederica, Ga., on St. Simon's Island, was founded by General Ogle- 
thorpe in 1736, an armed colony being settled there to guard the frontier 
against the Spaniards. In 1742, during the war between England and 
Spain, Frederica was attacked by a large force of Spaniards by land and sea, 
but Oglethorpe succeeded in holding it until the arrival of English ships 
drove the besiegers away. 

Fredericksburg, Va., scene of one of the most important battles of the 
Civil War, December 13, 1862. Burnside had been appointed to the com- 
mand of the Army of the Potomac on November 7. He resolved to make a 
direct march on Richmond, and moved his troops to the heights opposite 
Fredericksburg, on the north side of the Rappahannock. His force num- 
bered about 125,000. The right was commanded by Sumner, the centre by 
Hooker, the left wing by Franklin. The army of Lee, 80,000 in number, was 
strongly intrenched on the heights behind Fredericksburg, the right being 
commanded by Jackson, the left by Longstreet. A road connected these 
wings. A stone wall ran along the foot of the heights between the left 
wing and the town. The Federal forces crossed the river by three pontoon 
bridges during the two days preceding the battle. Burnside's plan was that 
Franklin should make the chief attack and seize the road, and that Sumner 
and Hooker should then carry the stone wall and the heights behind it. 
Franklin did not employ enough troops to effect the object assigned him. 
Sumner's troops attacked the fortifications on Marye's Heights with great 
bravery and persistency, but were finally repulsed with great slaughter at the 
stone wall. The assault made by Hooker's forces at another portion of the 
wall was also repulsed with terrible slaughter, lacking support from Franklin. 
The Federal loss in the battle was 12,800, the Confederate 4300. Two days 
later Burnside withdrew from Fredericksburg. On the thirtieth he and 
Franklin were relieved of their commands. 

Free Banking System. In 1838 the New York State Government estab- 
lished a " free banking " system, which set the fashion of reform elsewhere 
and was followed as a basis of the national banking system of 1863. Under 
this system the practice of granting special charters was abandoned. Any 
persons could form a bank who should deposit securities with the State to 
the full amount of its circulating notes. Many of the other States quickly 
followed New York's example, for the unregulated banking methods were 
beginning to affect seriously the State finances. 

Free Masons. An attempt to introduce freemasonry into the colonies was 
made in 1730 by the appointment of a provincial grand master of New Jersey, 
but so far as is known the first lodge was established in 1733 at Boston. 
Others speedily followed. After the securing of independence the lodges 



248 Dictionary of United States Histc»y. 

established grand lodges in the separate States. For the history of the 
opposition to freemasonry in the United States, see Anti-Masonic party. 

Free Negroes. According to the census of 1790, there were 59,481 free 
colored persons in the United States. Of these 28,558 were in the Southern 
States, as against about 647,000 slaves, 17,852 in the Middle States, as against 
about 45,000 slaves, and 13,071 in New England, as against about 3800 
slaves. As aversion to slavery decreased in the South, emancipation was 
made less easy, and free negroes were put under certain disabilities. The 
view that they were a dangerous element in the population strengthened the 
movement for colonization of them in Africa (see arts. Colonization Society, 
Liberia). In 1857 the Supreme Court declared that free negroes were not 
citizens of the United States (see Dred Scott). The Thirteenth Amendment 
made all negroes free. 

" Free Ships, Free Goods." A popular summary of the doctrine that, in 
time of war, all goods, whether belonging to neutrals or to members of the 
belligerent states, are, if carried in neutral vessels, thereby exempted from 
capture, unless they are by nature contraband of war. This doctrine was 
generally held by neutrals. It was maintained by the United States during 
the wars between England and France, 1 793-1 81 5. England, on the other 
hand, had always maintained that the determining characteristic was the 
ownership of the property, whatever the ownership of the vessel. This was one 
of the differences from which arose the War of 1812. The Treaty of Ghent 
did not settle the question. By the Declaration of Paris (1856) it was agreed 
by the signatory powers that free ships should make free goods, and indeed 
that both enemy's goods in neutral ships and neutral goods in enemy's ships 
should be exempt from capture. While the United States did not accede to 
the Declaration as a whole, they naturally welcomed this part of it. 

Free Society of Traders, a Welsh colonization company formed in 1682 
to establish colonies in Pennsylvania. March 20 of that year, William Penn 
granted them the " Manor of Frank," with privileges of local self-govern- 
ment, and later they bought from Penn 20,000 acres of land. 

Free-Soil Party, a short-lived party of anti-slavery men, which sprang 
into existence in 1848. Immediately after Taylor's nomination a plan was 
laid for a great anti-slavery meeting at Buffalo in August. Thousands 
attended the meeting, chiefly of two elements: the members of the Liberty 
party, though in October, 1847, they had nominated John P. Hale as candi- 
date for President; and the " Barnburners," or dissatisfied anti-administration 
Democrats of New York, followers of Van Buren, desirous of avenging him 
for the nomination of Polk in 1844. These last had in June nominated 
Van Buren by convention held at Utica. The Buffalo Convention, com- 
posed of these two partly incongruous elements, nominated Van Buren and 
C. F. Adams. Its resolutions declared that Congress had no more power to 
make a slave than to make a king, and ought to keep slavery out of the 
Territories. The " Free-Soilers " polled 291,263 votes in 1848. They were 
strongest in New York, Massachusetts and Ohio. They also won fourteen 
Congressmen, and in the next House had seventeen. In 1852 the Van Buren 
faction was reunited with the regular Democracy. The Free-Soilers met in 



Dictionary of United States History. 249 

convention at Pittsburgh in August, and nominated John P. Hale and 
George \V. Julian, but polled only 155,825 votes. The Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill called into existence the Republican party, and the Free-Soil party was 
absorbed in it. 

Freedmen's Bureau, a bureau of the War Department of the United States 
Government, established by Act of March 3, 1865, to have general charge 
of the interests of the enfranchised negroes of the Southern States. Its title 
was " bureau of refugees, freedmen and abandoned lands," and it was author- 
ized to assign to the freedmen allotments of confiscated or abandoned lands 
given over to it by the President for such purposes. It was to continue one 
year. A bill continuing it for two years more was vetoed by President John- 
son in 1866, but was passed over the veto. Its general work continued till 
1869, its educational work till 1870. It expended in its work over $15,000,000. 

Freeman's Farm, N. Y., an indecisive battle, September 19, 1777, between 
the British army under Burgoyne, and Gates commanding the Continental 
troops. The latter was worsted at first, but Benedict Arnold attacked Bur- 
goyne's centre and saved the Americans. 

Freewill Baptists. This denomination originated in 1780, ni a church 
founded at New Durham, N. H., by Benjamin Randall, and professing the 
doctrines of free salvation and open communion. Their general conference 
originated in 1827. In 1890 they numbered 1586 churches and about 
88,000 members. 

Frelinghuysen, Frederick T. (1817-1885), nephew of Theodore, was 
Senator from New Jersey from 1866 to 1869, and from 1871 to 1877, and a 
member of the Electoral Commission of 1877. From 1881 to 1885 he was 
Secretar}- of State in General Arthur's Cabinet. 

Frelinghuysen, Theodore (1787-1861), Senator from New Jersey from 
1829 to 1835, was nominated for Vice-President by the Whigs in 1844 on 
the ticket with Clay, but defeated. From 1839 to 1850 he was chancellor 
of the University of New York, and from 1850 to his death president of 
Rutgers College. 

Fremont, John Charles (1813-1890), was bom in Norfolk, Va., and edu- 
cated at Charleston, S. C. After a brief service in the navy he joined the 
U. S. corps of topographical engineers, and married the daughter of Senator 
Benton. In 1842 he explored a portion of the Rocky IMountains. In 1843 
and 1844, with remarkable skill and energy, he conducted an exploration of 
the regions of Utah, the basin of the Columbia, and the passes of the Sierra 
Nevada. In 1846, while in conduct of another exploration in California, he 
assisted in the Bear Flag War, alleging instructions from Washington, 
co-operated with Commodore Stockton in the conquest of California, but 
was court-martialed for disobedience to General Kearny. In 1848 he 
explored, amid great hardships, the paths from Sante Fe to Sacramento, and 
made a similar expedition in 1853 and 1854. These explorations made him 
famous as the " Pathfinder," and in 1856 the new Republican party made 
him its candidate for the Presidency, but was defeated. In 1861 he com- 
manded in Missouri, but, prematurely ordering emancipation, was removed. 



250 Dictionary of United States History. 

In 1862 he commanded against Jackson in the Valley. In 1864 he was 
nominated for the Presidency by a convention of radical Republicans dis- 
satisfied with Mr. Lincoln, but finally withdrew. A partial autobiography 
has been published, 

French and Indian War (i 754-1 763), the American phase of the Seven 
Years' War, and the culminating portion of the struggle between France and 
England for the possession of North America. In 1754 France claimed the 
whole region west of the Alleghauies as a part of the basins of the St. Law- 
rence and the Mississippi. England laid claim to all the country west of its 
Atlantic settlements. The French colonists numbered only about 80,000 
whites, the English more than 1,100,000. But the latter were divided under 
thirteen discordant governments and were industrial, while the French rule 
was unified and militar}', and had help from the Indians. The war began 
with a struggle for Pittsburgh (Fort Duquesne), Washington attacking the 
French at Great Meadows and being forced to surrender at Fort Necessity 
(1754). In 1755 the English planned four attacks: Braddock's expedition 
against Fort Duquesne, and others by way of Lake Champlain, by way of 
Oswego and Niagara, and against the French posts near Nova Scotia. The 
first was disastrous, the second and third accomplished nothing substantia], 
but the fourth was successful. From 1756 on, the French and Indians being 
under the command of the able Marquis of Montcalm, the English made no 
progress until the advent of William Pitt to the head of the ministry- in 
England in 1757. He formed a general scheme of conquest in America. In 
1758 Amherst and Wolfe took Louisbourg, Bradstreet captured Fort Front- 
enac and Forbes took Fort Duquesne. Encouraged by these successes, Pitt 
undertook the conquest of Canada. In 1759 Amherst took Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point, while Prideaux took Niagara. But the chief operation of the 
year was a direct attack upon Quebec, entrusted to General Wolfe, who cap- 
tured that town, considered impregnable, by means of the battle upon the 
Plains of Abraham. The French were unable to retake Quebec. Montreal 
was taken in 1760, and the conquest of Canada was completed. The French 
empire in North America came to an end. By the peace of Paris (1763) 
France resigned to England all her possessions east of the Mississippi, and 
to Spain New Orleans and all her possessions west of that river. To the 
colonists the war was important as relieving them from the pressure of hostile 
neighbors, as giving them military experience and as enforcing the necessity 
of union. 

French Creek (near Clayton, N. Y.). General Brown, here entrenched 
with his division, was attacked November i, 1813, by a small British fleet. 
A battery, skillfully handled, drove them back in two engagements. The 
British loss was severe, the American slight. 

French Revolution. The French Revolution began with the meeting of 
the States General in May, 1789, and continued through the period of the 
National Assembly and Legislative Assembly and Convention to 1795, or, 
if the Directory be included, to 1799. It not only started movements of 
enonnous and permanent eSect in Europe, but exerted a great influence in 
America. At first Americans were favorable to it, as to a natural con- 
sequence of the American Revolution and a movement in favor of human 



Dictionary of United States History. 251 

liberty and progress. But the execution of the king in January-, 1793, and 
the ensuing Reign of Terror increased the conservative feeling against it. 
It was one of the main matters upon which our first parties were divided, the 
Federalists opposing it, the Republicans favoring it; with the result that the 
former seemed to be especially the friends of England, the latter of France, 
attacking Washington's administration with great vigor on account of his 
neutrality. 

French Spoliation Claims. During the difficulties with France in 1798, 
which nearly amounted to a state of war, French war-vessels and privateers 
committed many depredations upon American commerce, and many similar 
acts had been committed before, in the course of the war between France 
and Great Britain. The American negotiators in 1798, 1799 and 1800 
attempted to obtain redress for these. But in the convention finally nego- 
tiated with the First Consul Bonaparte in 1800, it was found necessary to 
drop the claim. The claims were then made against the U. S. Government 
by its injured citizens. Bills for their relief were vetoed by Polk in 1846 
and Pierce in 1855. In 1885 they were referred to the Court of Claims, 
before which several thousand such cases have now come. 

Frenchtown, now Monroe, in Southeast Michigan, scene of a battle in the 
War of 1812, on January 22, 1813. The British were driven out of the town 
on the twentieth by Winchester, commanding the advance of Harrison's forces 
intended for the reduction of Detroit. On the twenty-second the British, 
under Colonel Proctor, fell upon Winchester, and compelled him to surrender. 
Many of the prisoners were massacred by the Indian allies of the British. 
Hence the affair is sometimes called the Massacre of the River Raisin. 

Freneau, Philip (1752-1832), poet, was graduated at Princeton in 1771- 
He wrote several popular poems during the Revolutionary War, and edited 
various periodicals. In 1790 he became editor of the Neiv York Daily 
Advertiser. He was soon appointed by Jefferson translator for the State 
Department, and became editor of the National Gazette^ in which he abused 
the Federalists so violently that his official connection with Jefferson led to 
embarrassing criticisms upon the latter. 

Friends, or Quakers. In 1656 Quakers began to come to Massachusetts, 
where they were imprisoned, banished, and in four cases in which they 
returned, hanged. Charles II. put a stop to the persecution. George Fox, 
their founder, visited America in 1671-73. Friends settled largely in Rhode 
Island, and especially in Pennsylvania, which, founded by a Quaker (Penn), 
was largely a Quaker colony. New Jersey also was largely settled by 
Quakers. Ever>'where they were thrifty and excellent citizens, though their 
aversion to war hampered Pennsylvania in making successful defence against 
the French. They were constantly forward in movements of philanthropy 
and reform, and had a most important part in the abolition movement. In 
1827 occurred a rupture between the " Orthodox " Friends and the Hicksites, 
or followers of Elias Hicks, the dispute being with regard to the atonement. 
In 1890 the Friends numbered 107,000. 

Fries, John (?i764-?i825), leader of a small insurrection against the U. S. 
Government in Northampton, Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pa., in the 



252 Dictionary of United States History. 

spring of 1799, raised several hundred men in opposition to the direct 
tax on houses (" window tax "), and at Bethlehem resisted a U. S. Marshal. 
Convicted of treason in 1799 and again upon a new trial in 1800, he was 
sentenced to death, but was pardoned by President Adams. 

Frobisher, Sir Martin (?I535-I594), an English navigator, in 1576 sailed 
to find the northwest passage, and discovered Frobisher's Strait. Later he 
made other voyages toward the northwest and took part in the destruction 
of the Spanish Armada. 

" Frolic," brig. (See " Wasp.") 

Fromentin, Judge of the western district of Florida in 1821. Callava, 
the Spanish ex-Governor, applied to him for a writ of habeas corpus when 
he, Callava, was arrested at Andrew Jackson's orders. Fromentin granted 
the writ. Jackson deemed this contempt and a quarrel followed. Each 
appealed to the President. 

Front Royal, Va., an action in Jackson's Valley campaign, May 23, 1862. 
Banks lay at Strasburg, with a large detachment at Front Royal under 
Colonel Kenly. After forced marches Jackson surprised and routed Kenly. 

Frontenac, Louis de Buade, Count (1620-1698), Governor of New France, 
a man of high military reputation, was appointed to that post in 1672. 
Being a man of violent passions and great self-will he quarreled with the 
intendant Duchesneau, the priests and the Jesuits, and was recalled in 1682. 
But in 1689, the colony having fallen into grave difficulties, he was reap- 
pointed. He organized the war against the English with great spirit and 
skill, and sent out in 1690 the expeditions which destroyed Schenectady, 
N. Y., Salmon Falls, N. H., and Casco, Maine. In the same year he repulsed 
the attack of Sir William Phips upon Quebec. In 1696 he invaded in person 
the country of the Iroquois and inflicted upon them a crushing defeat. 

Frontenac, Fort, a fort established by Count Frontenac in 1672, on the 
present site of Kingston, Ontario. Abandoned in 1689, it was reoccupied in 
1696. In 1758 it was captured and destroved by Bradstreet, with 3000 
men, mostly provincials. 

Frontier Posts. The treaty of peace with Great Britain (1783) provided 
that the boundary of the United States should be Lakes Ontario, Erie, St. 
Clair, Huron and Superior, and that the British should at once evacuate all 
posts within the United States. But Great Britain continued to hold the 
posts on the great lakes, Oswegatchie (now Ogdensburg), Oswego, Niagara, 
Presque Isle (now Erie), Sandusky, Detroit, Mackinaw, and some others of 
less importance, on the ground that the American States had not complied 
with the requirement that debts due to British citizens should be paid. 
Again their surrender was stipulated in the Jay Treaty, and they were finally 
given up in June, 1796. 

Frothingham, Richard (1S12-1880), editor, of Charlestown, Mass., wrote 
a history of the siege of Boston, published in 1849, and in 1871 published 
the " Rise of the Republic of the United States." 



Dictionary of United States History. 253 

Fry, James B.,(i827-i894)an officer of the U. S. army, was chief of staff 
to McDowell and Buell from 1861 to 1863, and from 1863 to 1866 occupied 
the responsible and difficult post of provost-marshal-general of the army. 

Frye, William P., born in 1831, Senator, was Representative from Maine 
from 1S71 to 1881, and was then elected a Senator, which office he has held, 
as a Republican, to the present time (1897). 

Fryeburg, Me., scene of an Indian fight in April, 1725. John Lovewell, 
after two successful expeditions against the Indians, undertaking a third, 
was surprised and slain at this place. 

Fuca, Juan de, a Greek of Cephalonia, asserted that in 1592, sailing in 
the Spanish service on the northwest coast of America, he had sailed into a 
strait in latitude 47° or 48°, which led into the Atlantic Ocean. It has 
been thought that this was the strait now called by his name, but his narra- 
tive is disbelieved by good judges. 

Fuca Strait. (See San Juan Arbitration.) 

Fugio, also known as Franklin and sun-dial cents, were the earliest copper 
coins struck off by order of the U. S. Government, from the dies of Abel 
Buel, in 1787. The first was struck off in New York. Obverse: Thirteen 
linked rings, making an endless chain. Legend: United States, inscribed 
around a small central field inclosing inscription, We are one. Reverse: 
An erect sun-dial, sun appearing above. Legend: F'jgio, 1787, Exergue: 
Mind your business. 

Fugitive Slaves, Fugitive Slave Laws. In all the colonies provision was 
made by law for the arrest and return of fugitive slaves. The articles of 
confederation between the New England colonies in 1643 provided for 
mutual restoration between those colonies. Somersett's case prevented 
extradition from England. The Ordinance for the Northwest Territory 
provided for return of fugitives thence. The Constitution of 1787 provided 
that no fugitive slave, fleeing into a free State, should therefore be free, but 
that he should be delivered up on claim by his owner. In 1793 Congress 
passed the first Fugitive Slave Act, providing that, on the owner's giving 
proof of ownership before a magistrate of the locality where the slave was 
found, the magistrate should order the slave delivered up to him, without 
trial by jury. Hindering arrest or harboring a runaway slave was punish- 
able by fine of five hundred dollars. The law was open to much abuse. 
Many free negroes in Northern States were kidnapped. Interference with 
captures and rescue of arrested negroes became more frequent as anti-slavery 
feeling increased in the North. In Prigg z's. Pennsylvania the Supreme 
Court held that the law must be carried out by Federal authorities alone; 
States or State authorities could not be forced to act (1842). Several States 
then forbade them to do so. The escape of slaves to Canada was extensive, 
and systematically aided by the Underground Railway. (See art.) In 1850, 
as a part of the compromise measures of that year, a law was passed pro- 
viding for a stricter practice in the matter, through U. S. commissioners 
appointed by the U. S. courts. Proof of identity and two witnesses to the 
fact of escape were all that was required as evidence. The negro could not 



254 Dictionary of United States History. 

testify, nor have jury-trial. Upon this many Northern States passed " Per- 
sonal I/iberty Laws " for the protection of negroes. Some of these conflicted 
with the Act of 1850 and even with the Constitution. The Act of 1850 
aroused great feeling in the North, the " Personal Liberty Laws " in the 
South. The question of fugitive slaves did much to bring on the Civil 
War. The war and emancipation ended the whole matter. The acts were 
repealed in 1864. 

Fuller, Margaret, Marchioness of Ossoli (1810-1850), of Cambridge, Mass., 
a woman of great learning, intellectual gifts and social charm and influence, 
and a prominent leader among the Transcendentalists, was editor of the Dial, 
their organ, from 1840 to 1842. She took an interesting part in aiding the 
Italian cause in 1848, and was shipwrecked and drowned ofi" Long Island on 
her return. 

Fuller, Melville W., born in Maine in 1833, was graduated at Bowdoin 
College in 1853, and was a lawyer in Chicago from 1856 to 1888. In 1862 
he was a member of the Illinois Constitutional Convention. In 1888 he was 
appointed by President Cleveland Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the 
United States. 

Fulton, Robert (1765-1815), practically the inventor of the steamboat^ 
was born in Pennsylvania. At first a portrait-painter, he went to England 
in 1786. After a few years he began to occupy himself with engineering 
and inventions. The subject of steam navigation already interested him. 
From 1797 to 1804 he resided in France, where, inventing the torpedo, he 
attempted to induce Napoleon to adopt it, but in vain. In England (1804-06) 
he had similar want of success with the British Ministry, and in 1806 returned 
to America. At New York, in 1807, he successfully realized his project of 
a vessel propelled by steam power, his steamboat, the " Clermont," success- 
fully steaming from New York to Albany. His invention was of the first 
importance in developing the interior parts of the United States. (See also,, 
for prior inventions. Fitch and Ruuisey.) 

Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina, an elaborate constitution for that 
colony, drawn up in 1667 for the proprietors by John Locke, the philosopher. 
It provided for a territorial aristocracy, the proprietors at the head and two 
orders of nobility, called landgraves and caciques, below them. These were 
to have entailed estates called seigniories and baronies. The proprietors 
were to be respectively palatine, chancellor, chief justice, constable, admiral, 
treasurer, high steward and chamberlain. There was to be a palatine's court, 
a grand council and a parliament. Property qualifications prevailed. Some 
religious liberty was granted. The whole scheme was unsuited to the needs 
of a pioneer colony, and never went into practical operation. 

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, " the oldest truly political consti- 
tution in America " (Bryce), were framed in January, 1639, by the towns of 
Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield, uniting to form " one publike State or 
commonwealth." The orders provided for two general representative assem- 
blies each year, composed of delegates from each town, one for the election 
of Governor and magistrates, the other for the making of laws. 



Dictionary of United States History. 255 

Funding, the converting of floating debt into debt having a definite time 
to run before maturity, usually into interest-bearing bonds. The most famous 
such operation in United States history was that accomplished by the Act of 
August 4, 1790, suggested by Hamilton, as Secretary of the Treasury. It 
provided for paying in full not only the foreign and domestic debt of the 
United States, but also those debts which the States had incurred in the 
prosecution of the Revolutionary War, by means of six per cent bonds, of 
which, in the case of the domestic debt, one-third were to be deferred stock, 
interest beginning to be paid in 1800. (See art. Assumption.) 

Fur-trade. This trade, especially that in beaver, was an important ele- 
ment in the economic life of all the colonies in the seventeenth century, and 
in the struggle between England and France for the possession of North 
America, also in all negotiations respecting the northwest boundary of the 
United States. As the trade receded farther and farther to the northwest, 
the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Company, established in 1783 
by England, tried to monopolize it. In 1809 John Jacob Astor secured the 
incorporation of the American Fur Company. He founded Astoria in Ore- 
gon, and attempted to connect it with Mackinaw by a line of posts and 
consolidate the whole northwestern fur-trade. After the War of 181 2 he 
renewed his attempt. In 1816 Congress passed an act excluding foreign 
fur-traders. 

Fuss and Feathers, the army nickname for General Winfield Scott, also 
used politically when he ran for the Presidency in 1852; due to his punctili- 
ousness as to dress. 



G. 



Gabriel's Insurrection, an insurrection incited among the negro slaves of 
the vicinity of Richmond, Va., in 1800, by a slave of Thomas Prosser, called 
"General Gabriel," and "Jack Bowler." They intended to attack Rich- 
mond by night with a thousand negroes and murder the inhabitants. An 
escaped negro revealed the plot. Governor James Monroe ordered out the 
militia and attacked the insurgents. The ringleaders were ■ captured and 
punished. 

Gadsden, James (1788-1858), served in the War of 1812, was aide-de- 
camp to General Jackson in the subjugation of the Seminole Indians, and 
constructed works for the defense of the Gulf. He was appointed Minister 
to Mexico in 1853 by President Pierce, and negotiated the Gadsden Treaty, 
which secured the purchase of the southern portion of Arizona and New 
Mexico. 

Gadsden Treaty was a treaty negotiated with Mexico in 1853 by James 
Gadsden. By this treaty the United States secured 45,000 square miles of 
land in what is now Arizona and New Mexico. The United States paid 
Mexico $10,000,000, but received a considerably larger amount from Mexico 
for Indian depredation claims. 



256 Dictionary of United States History. 

Gage, Thomas (1721-1787), came to America in 1754 in command of a 
regiment accompanying Braddock's expedition. He was appointed Governor 
of Montreal in 1760, and from 1763 to 1772 was commander-in-chief in 
America. In 1774 he was appointed Governor of Massachusetts, and 
attempted to subdue the antagonism of the colonists to English rule. In 
1775 he sent troops to destroy stores collected at Concord, and this led to 
the battle of Lexington. The colonists refused to recognize Gage as Gov- 
ernor, and soon after the battle of Bunker Hill he resigned his commission. 

Gag-rule. A rule adopted by Congress in January, 1836, on niotion of 
John C. Calhoun. Congress had long been besieged by petitions from aboli- 
tionists all over the country. Calhoun proposed that henceforth all anti- 
slavery petitions be laid on the table unnoticed. This infringement upon 
the riglit of petition only increased the petition spirit in the North, and the 
"gag-rule" was, after a long struggle, abolished December 3, 1844. John 
Ouincy Adams was its bitterest opponent and an ardent upholder of anti- 
slavery principles in Congress during ten years. 

Gaillard, John (1765-1826), born in South Carolina, served in the U. S. 
Senate from 1805 to 1826, and was president pro tempore in every Congress 
from the eleventh to the eighteenth inclusive. 

Gaines, Edmund P. (1777-1849), served during the War of 1812, and 
was promoted major-general for services in defense of Fort Erie in 1814. 
He was commissioner to the Seminole Indians in 1816, and took command 
against them in 181 7. 

Gaines, Myra Clark (1805-1885), wife of Edmund P. Gaines, was for 
many years plaintiff in an extraordinary lawsuit to recover the estate of her 
father, Daniel Clark. Her claim included much valuable property in New 
Orleans, estimated at $35,000,000. 

Gaines' Mills, or Chickahominy, Va., Jime 27, 1862. In this engage- 
ment of the Civil War, Porter, commanding 20,000 troops of McClellan's 
army, was defeated by Lee with a Confederate force of 35,000. On the 
morning of June 27, Porter fell back to a range of low hills, and there 
repelled tlie Confederate attack until 5000 more men were sent him by 
McClellan. Meantime Jackson had joined Lee with 25,000 fresh troops. A. 
P. Hill first attacked Porter's position, and was driven back with great loss 
after a two hours' struggle. Then Jackson came up and joined the attack. 
Porter, having no intrenchments, was forced to give way before the superior 
numbers. He crossed the Chickahominy in rapid retreat, and burned the 
bridges behind him. 

Gales, Joseph (1786-1860), an editor of the Natiojia Intelligencer ixova. 
1S07 to i860 in partnership with W. W. Seaton, published valuable reports 
of proceedings in Congress, which would otherwise be unavailable — the 
" Annals of Congress," in forty-two volumes. 

Gallatin, Albert (January 29, 1761-August 12, 1849), was born at Geneva, 
Switzerland, and is one of the most illustrious American statesmen of foreign 
birth. He was educated at the university of his native city, and emigrated 
to America in 1780. After varied experiences he settled as a manufacturer 




STATESMEN OF THE EARLY REPUBLIC. 

Timothy Pickering. 



DeWitt Clinton. 
Rufus King. 



Gouverneur Morris, 



Josiah Quincy. 
Albert Galatin. Alexander Hamilton. 

John Randolph. 
Charles C Pmckney. 



Dictionary of United States History. 257 

in Pennsylvania in 1784. By 1790 he was in the lyCgislature. His rise 
to State and national prominence as a leader in the Democratic-Republican 
party was rapid. He was elected U. S. Senator in 1793, but was not admit- 
ted to his seat. Tlie following year he helped by his influence to suppress 
the Whiskey Insurrection. From 1795 to 1801 he was a member from 
Peimsylvania of the National House of Representatives, and took a leading 
part almost from the start, especially on financial topics. When his party 
came into power with Jefferson, Gallatin was invited to take the Treasury 
portfolio. He filled this position from 1801 to 1813, and has passed into 
history as one of the ablest of American financiers. In 1813— 14 he was 
peace commissioner in Europe, where his services in negotiating the Treaty 
of Ghent were conspicuous. He was U. S. Minister to France 1816-1823, 
and in 1826 he was sent as Envoy Extraordinary to Great Britain. He was 
later a bank president in New York City, and died at Astoria on Long Island. 
Gallatin published various pamphlets on finance, on the Oregon question, on 
the war with Mexico, " Considerations on the Currency and Banking System 
of the United States" (1831); he was moreover an ethnologist, and pub- 
lished "Synopsis of the Indian Tribes" (1836) and other works. Biogra- 
phy by Henry Adams, who has also edited his writings. 

Gallaudet, Thomas H. (1787-1851), was the first to undertake in America 
the instruction of deaf mutes (1817), and founded at Hartford an institution 
for that purpose. 

Gallipolis, O., was settled by French refugees in 1789. It was a depot of 
supplies during the Civil War. 

Galloway, Joseph (i 729-1 803), was Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly 
from 1766 to 1774, proposed a form of government favorable to the crown 
at the Provincial Congress in 1774, and joined the British forces in 1776. 

Galveston, Tex., was first settled in 1816, but first permanently settled in 
1838. From 1 81 7 to 1821 it was the haunt of the famous pirate Lafitte. 

Galvez, Bernardo de (1755-1786), count, was bom in Spain, became col- 
onel in Louisiana in 1776 and was Governor from 1777 to 1783. He aided 
the colonies against the British in the Revolutionary War and was made 
Viceroy of Mexico in 1785. 

Gamble, Hamilton R. (1798-1864), was Secretary of State in Missouri in 
1824, a Judge of the Supreme Court from 1851 to 1855, was appointed Gov- 
ernor of the State in 1861 by the Constitutional Convention and served 
until 1864. 

Gananoqui (near Thousand Islands, Can.). Here Captain Forsyth, with 
slight loss, captured, on September 20, 181 2, a large supply of ammunition 
and provisions from the British, whose loss was ten killed and twelve taken 
prisoners. 

Gansevoort, Peter (1749— 1812), born in New York, accompanied Mont- 
gomery to Canada in 1775; withstood the British and Indians at Fort Schuylei 
in 1777; was appointed Indian Commissioner and promoted brigadier-general 
in 1809. 

17 



25S Dictionary of United States History. 

Gardoqui, Don Diego de, was Minister of Spain to the United States from 
1785 to 1789, and negotiated concerning the Mississippi with Secretary 
Jay- 
Garfield, James Abram (November 19, 1831-September 19, 1881), twen- 
tieth President of the United States, was born at Orange, Cuyahoga County, 
O., and after miscellaneous experiences, including work on a canal tow-path, 
he entered Hiram College in Ohio. From there he went to Williams College, 
and graduated in 1856. For a short time he taught the classics in Hiram 
College, and in 1857 became the president of that institution. Two years 
later he entered the State Senate. In the opening year of the war he was 
appointed lieutenant-colonel of volunteers; having been entrusted with a 
small independent command he routed the Confederates at Middle Creek, 
Ky., January 10, 1862. He was made a brigadier-general, served at Shiloh, 
etc., and became chief of staff in Rosecrans' Army of the Cumberland. In 
this capacity he rendered important services, and was made major-general 
after Chickamauga. He had been already elected to Congress, and took his 
seat in December, 1863. From this time he served continuously and was one 
of the leading debaters and orators on the Republican side. He was mem- 
ber of important committees, like Military Affairs and Ways and Means, and 
was chairman of the Committee on Banking and Currency and on Appropri- 
ations. General Garfield served on the Electoral Commission of 1877 and 
was elected U. S. Senator from Ohio in 1880. The same year he attended 
the National Convention, and on the thirty-sixth ballot received the nomina- 
tion, through the influence of Blaine. Entering office March 4, 1881, he 
chose Blaine for the State Department, Windom for the Treasury, and R. T. 
Lincoln for War. He became almost immediately involved in the Republi- 
can factional quarrels of New York. His appointment of the " Half-Breed " 
Robertson to the collectorship of New York caused the " Stalwart " Senators, 
Conkling and Piatt, to resign and demand a " vindication." In the midst 
of these proceedings President Garfield was shot at Washington, July 2, by a 
fanatic, Guiteau. He lingered through the summer, was removed in Sep- 
tember to Elberon, New Jersey, and there passed away. Life by J. R. Gilmore. 

Garfield, Lucretia R., born in Hiram, O., in 1832, became the wife of 
James A. Garfield in 1858. Her name became famous by reason of her 
husband's Presidency, and of her care over him during his long period of 
suffering from his mortal wound. 

Garland, Augustus H., was born in Tennessee in 1832. He opposed 
secession in the State Convention in 1861, but served in the Confederate 
Congress till the close of the war. He won the famous test-oath case in 
1866, and in 1874 was chosen Governor of Arkansas. He served in the U. S. 
Senate from 1876 to 1885, and was Attorney-General in Cleveland's Cabinet 
from 1885 to 1889. 

Garland, Hugh A. (i 805-1 854), a Virginia Assemblyman for five years, 
was clerk of the U. S. House of Representatives from 1838 to 1841. He 
secured a Democratic majority at the opening session, in 1839, by omit- 
ting the names of the contested New Jersey delegates. (See Broad Seal 

War.) 



/ 



Dictionary of United States History. 259 

Garland's Case, an important case decided by the U. S. Supreme Court 
in 1866. In i860 A. H. Garland, of Arkansas, was admitted to the Supreme 
Court of the United States as attorney and counselor, taking the oath then 
required. In 1862 Congress passed an act requiring all candidates for oflSce 
to take oath that they had never in any way engaged in hostility against the 
Union. In 1865 all persons admitted to the bar of the U. S. Courts were 
required to take this oath. Garland participated in the war against the 
Union, but was freely pardoned. He entered a plea before the Supreme 
Court in 1866 against his taking the prescribed oath of 1865, saying it was 
unconstitutional and void as affecting his status in court, and that his pardon 
released him from compliance with it, even if it were constitutional. His 
plea was granted by the court, on the ground that the act was ex post facto. 

Garner Case (1856), the saddest of many noted fugitive slave cases. 
Simeon Gamer, his son and their families escaped from Kentucky to Cincin- 
nati. They were pursued and after a desperate struggle captured. Margaret 
Garner, in order to save her children from slavery, had attempted to kill 
them during the struggle, and one was foimd dead when the fugitives were 
captured. The courts decided upon returning the slaves. On their way 
back to Kentucky Margaret made an unsuccessful attempt to drown herself 
and child. 

Garnett, Robert S. (1819-1861), born in Virginia, was a Democratic 
Representative from Virginia from 1817 to 1827. He voted alone against 
the recognition of the South American Republics. Commanding Con- 
federate forces in West Virginia, he was defeated and killed at Carrick's 
Ford in 1861. 

Garrison, William Lloyd (i 805-1 879J, was born in Massachusetts. He 
began his career in the employ of the Newburyport Herald in 1818, making 
anonymous contributions reproving the general apathy on the subject of 
slavery. Between 1S26 and 1831 he edited various emancipation papers, 
among them the Herald^ Free Press^ National P/itlantJiropist, Journal of the 
Times and the Genius of Universal Emancipation. He also delivered series 
of lectures in the interest of emancipation. From 1831 to i860 he edited 
the Liberator^ which exerted an immense influence against slavery. In 1832 
the American Anti-Slavery Society was fonned and organized by him, and 
soon afterward he became its president. His efforts for the abolition of 
slavery were unceasing until the emancipation proclamation of President 
Lincoln had gone into effect. His influence in the anti-slavery cause was 
greater than that of any other man. Life by his sons, four volumes. 

Gas-light was first successfully introduced into Boston in 1822, into New 
York in 1823, into Philadelphia in 1835. 

" Gaspee." During the spring of 1772 the British armed schooner 
" Gaspee " remained in Narragansett Bay and annoyed the inhabitants along 
the coast by excessive zeal in the suppression of smuggling. Chief Justice 
Hopkins, of Rhode Island, sent a sheriff on board to know by what authority 
Dudingston, her commander, acted, and found he was upheld by the British 
admiral. June 9, the " Gaspee " gave chase to the " Providence," a small 



26o Dictionary of United States History. 

packet, and ran aground near Pawtuxet. That night a party of citizens 
attacked her, wounded and captured Dudingston and the crew, and burned 
the " Gaspee." Efibrts to bring the perpetrators to justice failed. 

Gates, Horatio (1728— 1806), general, born in England, came to America 
in 1755, and was a captain in Braddock's expedition. At the outbreak of 
the Revolution he was appointed adjutant-general in the colonial army, and 
in 1777 commanded the Northern forces and gained a decisive victory over 
the British at Saratoga. Highly honored for this success he overestimated 
his abilities and conspired to gain chief command of the colonial anny, but 
his schemes were disclosed. In 17S0 he was placed in command of the 
Southern army, and met with a severe defeat at Camden. He was retired 
from command, and was not acquitted by court-martial from blame for this 
defeat until 1782. 

Gates, Sir Thomas, was appointed lieutenant-general under the Virginia 
'Company, and came to Virginia in 1609 with seven ships. The colony did 
not prosper, and Gates was sent to England in 1610, returning with men 
and provisions in 161 1. He assumed the government, and the colony became 
more prosperous under his rule, which continued till 1614, when he returned 
to England. 

Gatling, Richard J., was born in North Carolina in 1818. He has 
invented various labor-saving devices, but is best known as inventor of the 
revolving battery-gun bearing his name, which is capable of firing 1200 
shots per minute. 

Gay, Sydney Hovi^ard (1814-1888), bom in Massachusetts, edited the 
Anti-SIavcry Standard from 1844 to 1S57, when he became an editor of the 
Tribune^ serving as such until 1866. He is the author of an illustrated 
history of the United States. 

Gayarre, Charles E. A., born in I005, served in the Louisiana Legislature, 

was Secretary of State for seven years, and is the author of numerous his- 
torical works, chiefly histories of Louisiana in various periods. 

Geary, John W. (1819—1873), commanded at Chapultepec in 1846, was 
prominent in California politics from 1849 to 1852, was Governor of Kansas 
1856-57, and during the Rebellion won distinction at Bolivar Heights, Cedar 
Mountain and Lookout Mountain, being promoted major-general. He was 
Governor of Pennsylvania from 1S66 to 1873. 

General. This grade was first created by Act of Congress March 3, 1799, 
and General Washington was appointed to fill it. The office was abolished 
in 1802. It was not revived again until 1866, when General Grant was 
appointed. On the election of Grant to the Presidency, William T. Sherman 
succeeded him in the grade of general. On the retirement of General Sher- 
man, November i, 1883, the ofiice again became extinct. It was revived for 
a brief time (June to August, 1888), for Lieutenant-General Plrilip H. Sheri- 
dan. Since his death in 1888 the office has ceased to exist, as has that of 
lieutenant-general. 



Dictionary ok United States History. 261 

Genet, Edmond C. (1765-1834), was born in France. He was appointed 
Minister to the United States in 1792, and arrived in Charleston, S. C, in 
1793. He immediately took steps to induce the United States to aid France 
in her troubles with Great Britain, and unlawfully commissioned privateers 
from American ports. The executive had determined upon neutrality. 
Genet succeeded for a time in arousing enthusiasm among the people of the 
United States, and acted so imprudently that Washington's administration 
requested his recall in 1794. He was afterward naturalized and became a 
citizen of the United States. 

Geneva Arbitration. A tribunal of arbitration assembled at Geneva in 
Switzerland, December 15, 1871, to arbitrate upon the "Alabama" claims. 
(See art.) The tribunal consisted of Count Federigo Sclopis, of Italy; 
Viscount Itajuba, of Brazil; Mr. Jacques Staempfli, of Switzerland; Charles 
Francis Adams, of the United States, and Sir Alexander Cockbum, of Eng- 
land. The tribunal decided that an award of compensation for the " indirect 
claims " advanced by America was not in keeping with the principles of 
international law. This preliminary decision was accepted. The tribune 
also decided that Great Britain had not exercised due diligence in preventing 
the construction, equipment and provisioning of such ships as the " Alabama;" 
that $15,500,000 should be awarded in a gross sum to the United States, but 
no compensation should be made for the pursuit of cruisers or for prospective 
earnings. 

Geneva Convention. A convention was concluded in 1864 for the amel- 
ioration of the condition of the wounded in armies in the field, between 
Switzerland, Baden, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Hesse, Italy, Nether- 
lands, Portugal, Prussia and Wiirttemberg, and acceded to by most civilized 
nations, including the United States. Additional articles in 1868 extended 
to naval forces the advantages of the previous convention. 

Gentry, Meredith P. (1809-1866), served in the North Carolina Legisla- 
ture from 1835 to 1839, was a U. S. Congressman from 1839 to 1843 ^^^ 
from 1S45 to 1853, and served in the Confederate Congress in 1862 and 
1863. 

Geographer of the United States, an office created by the Act of May 20, 

17S5. The geographer's duties consisted in the supervision of surveys and 
in the transmission to the Board of Treasury of the series of plats whenever 
the seven ranges of townships had been surveyed. 

Geological Survey. The U. S. Geological Survey was established by- 
Congress in March, 1879, as a bureau of the Department of the Interior. 
The interior sur\'eys, topographical and geological, heretofore carried on by 
other Government agencies, were confided to it. 

George I. (1660— 1727), King of Great Britain and Elector of Brunswick, 
ascended the English throne in 17 15, and ruled uneventfully over England 
and the colonies for twelve years. 

George II. (1683-1760), King of Great Britain from 1727 to 1760, granted 
in 1732 a tract of coirntry from the reserved Carolina tract to James Ogle- 
thorpe and a company formed by him. The government of the colony was 



262 Dictionary of United States History. 

to be conducted by the proprietors during twenty years, and after that time 
the form of government was to be decided by the king. In 1749 George 
II. granted to the Ohio Company, formed by certain wealthy Virginians, 
500,000 acres of land, on which they were to plant 100 families, and were to 
build and maintain a fort. (See King George's War, Seven Years' War, 
French and Indian War.) His reign is chiefly memorable in American 
history for the conquest of Canada. 

George III. (1738— 1820), son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, succeeded to 
the throne of England in 1760. His obstinate determination to increase the 
royal authority had much to do with the provoking of American resistance. 
At the outbreak of the Revolution he insisted merely upon maintaining the 
right to tax the colonies, but when they showed persistent determination he 
became exasperated and wrote, " Every means of distressing America must 
meet with my concurrence." Under his direction the war was prosecuted 
with vigor and he reluctantly consented to peace in 1782. He was kind- 
hearted, upright and truthful, with a very forcible character, but was nar- 
row-minded and obstinate. 

George, Henry, born in Philadelphia in 1839, is well known as a writer 
upon economics. He published various newspapers in California from 1858 
to 1879. He first became prominent through his work, " Progress and 
Poverty," which advocates a common ownership of land to be brought about 
by taxing land to the full amount of the rent. He is the author of " Social 
Problems," " Protection or Free Trade," etc. 

George, James Z., born in 1826, signed the Mississippi ordinance of 
secession in 1861 and was a U. S. Senator from Mississippi from 1881 to the 
present time (1897). 

George, Fort (Niagara River). In the War of 1812, after the capture of 
York by the Americans, they moved against Fort George. On May 27, 1813, 
the troops were landed under cover of the guns of the fleet. The attack, 
led by Colonel Winfield Scott and Commodore Perry, was successful. The 
British, after spiking the guns and destroying the ammunition, abandoned 
the fort. Soon after, Forts Erie and Chippewa were likewise abandoned, and 
the whole Niagara frontier passed into the hands of the Americans. 

George, Fort, the name given by the French to Fort William Henry. 
(See William Henry, Fort.) 

Georgetown College, D. C, was founded as a college by the Jesuits in 
1789 and chartered as a university in 1815. 

Georgia, one of the original thirteen States, was founded by Oglethorpe 
in 1733 as a refuge for debtors. The territory was originally claimed by the 
Spanish Government, who explored it. In 1663 it constituted a part of the 
Carolinas, but in 1732 it was set apart and given to James Oglethorpe and 
others, to be held in trust for twenty-one years. The territory was styled 
Georgia in honor of George II., and included the land between the Savannah 
and the Altamaha and the South Sea. The colony was expected to serve as 
a protection to the Carolinas against the Spaniards of Florida. In 1752 
Georgia became a royal colony. In 1763 the southern boundary was extended 



Dictionary of United States History. 263 

to St. Mary's River and the western boundary to the Mississippi. The State 
suffered greatly from war and disorder during the Revolution. The first 
Constitution was made in 1777; the present in 1868. January 2, 1788, 
Georgia unanimously ratified the National Constitution. In 1798 the 
western territory of the State was organized into the Mississippi Territory 
by tlie U. S. Government. Georgia's claims were satisfied in 1802 by the 
payment on the part of the United States of $1,250,000, and the promise to 
purchase for Georgia the claims of the Indians to lands within the State. 
In 1795 occurred the " Yazoo fraud," by which the western territory was 
sold to land companies. The sale was afterward repealed, and the land- 
holders were compensated by the National Government. The State authori- 
ties demanded the fulfillment of the promise of 1802 relative to the Indian 
removal, but not until 1826 did the General Government succeed in obtaining 
the Georgian lands of the Creeks. The Creeks, however, refused to move, 
and were protected by the decision of the U. S. Supreme Court. TJie 
Indians were eventually driven out by the authorities of Georgia, as Presi- 
dent Jack.son refused to support the decision of the court. Georgia seceded 
January 19, 1861. During the war Confederate prisons were established at 
Andersouville and Milieu. General Sherman, marching through Georgia, 
captured Atlanta, September 2, 1864, and Savannah, December 21. The 
reconstruction of the State was delayed until July, 1870, because of the 
refusal to extend the suffrage to the blacks. Since reconstruction the State 
has been uniformly Democratic. The population of the State in 1790 was 
82,548; in 1890 it was 1,837,353. Histories by Jones and by Stevens. 

. " Georgia," an iron steamboat built at Glasgow in 1863 and used as a 
Confederate cruiser. She sailed from Glasgow in April, 1863, under the 
name of the "Japan." She destroyed a large number of Union merchant 
ships along the French coast, and then sailed for England, where it was 
given out she was to be chartered by the Portuguese Government. She was 
nevertheless seized, August 15, 1863, by Captain Craven, commanding the 
United States ship " Niagara," and returned to England. 

"Georgia Gazette," first newspaper printed in Georgia. It was estab- 
lished at Savannah by James Johnston, April 17, 1763, and continued until 
1802, when its publication was suspended. 

Georgia Historical Society, founded at Savannah in 1839. It has pub- 
lished four \-olume5 of papers and part of a fifth. At the instance of the 
society Bishop Stevens undertook his " History of Georgia." It possesses 
many valuable manuscripts. 

Gerard, Conrad A., died in 1790. He was the first French Minister to 
the United States. Having negotiated the treaty between France and the 
United States, he came to America in 1778, returned in 1779, and was active 
in the negotiations with Great Britain in 1782. 

Germaine, Lord George (1716-1785), was appointed colonial secretaiy by 
George III. of England in 1775, and superintended the conduct of the 
British forces during the Revolutionary War. He advocated vigorous 
measures against the colonies, enlisted the services of the Six Nations, and 
was influential in the bribery of Benedict Arnold. Resigned in 1782. 



264 Dictionary of United States History. 

German Empire. One treaty of importance has been concluded between 
the United States and the new German Empire, that to define the rights, 
privileges and duties of consular agents, and to establish an agreement upon 
trade-marks (1871). A reciprocity treaty was concluded in 1892. 

Germans. There were more Germans in Pennsylvania than in any other 
of the colonies. Penn encouraged their immigration. They were largely 
of sects persecuted in Germany. They were averse to war and indifferent to 
politics, but had important influence on the development of manufactures. 
Palatine, Moravian and other Germans were also settled in large numbers in 
Maryland, New York, Virginia and the Carolinas, and Salzburgers in 
Georgia. They were sober and industrious. In the Revolution they were 
in general not active. Of immigrants into the United States since 1820, 
more than one-third have been Germans. The revolutionary movements of 
1848 caused the emigration of large numbers to the United States. 

Germantown, Battle of, October 4, 1777. Howe after occupying Phila- 
delphia sent a considerable detachment down the river to seize Forts Mercer 
and Mifiiin. When Washington learned of this he detennined to crush the 
British at Germantown. In the early morning of October 4 his army in 
two columns, the centre under Sullivan, the left under Greene, advanced 
upon the village. The central column drove in the British outposts and 
was forcing back the British line opposite. Greene also was driving the 
right back when an accident happened to destroy the whole plan. Stephen, 
who was upon the right of Greene's division, came on through the heavy 
fog, and mistaking the American left-centre for the enemy, charged upon 
them. This at once caused a panic and the battle was lost. However, the 
troops retreated in good order before Cornwallis, who had hurried from 
Philadelphia with two battalions. The Americans lost 673, the British 575. 

Geronimo, a chief of the Chiricahuas of the Apache tribe of Indians. 
He was captured by General Miles in 1886 for making depredations, and was 
placed tinder surveillance at Fort Perkins, Florida. 

Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814), Vice-President,born in Massachusetts, was a 
member of the Massachusetts colonial House of Representatives from 1772 
to 1775 and a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1780 and 
from 1783 to 1785. He signed the Declaration of Independence and aided 
in framing the Constitution, but refused to sign it, believing that too great 
powers were delegated to the National Government. He was elected a 
Representative from Massachusetts to the first U. S. Congress in 1789 and 
served till 1793. He was a special commissioner to France in 1797 with 
Pinckney and Marshall, and was elected Governor of Massachusetts in 1810 
and 181 1. He was elected Vice-President of the United States in 1812 as a 
Democrat and served until his death (1813-1814). lyife by Austin. 

Gerrymander, an arrangement of the boundaries of election districts so 
contrived as to secure an unfair advantage to the dominant party. In colo- 
nial times elections were by counties or by towns, and the gerrymander was 
not developed. The first gerrymander has been said to be an arrangement 
of Patrick Henry's, whereby Madison should not be elected to the First 



Dictionary of United States History. 265 

Congress. But in reality the districting of Virginia at that time was not 
clearly unfair. The name arose from a redistricting scheme carried out by 
the Republicans of Massachusetts in 1811, in accordance with which the Essex 
District bore a fanciful resemblance to a salamander. Hence the name 
" gerrymander " was given to it from Governor Elbridge Gerry, under whom 
the act was passed. The practice has since become well-nigh universal in 
American politics, with most injurious effects upon public morality. 

Getty, George W., born in 1819, was promoted major-general for gallantry 
during the Civil War, serving in the Virginia campaign and having a com- 
mand at Yorktown, Antietam, Fredericksburg and the Wilderness. He 
defended Washington, and served in the Shenandoah campaign. He retired 
in 18S3. 

Gettysburg, Pa., a memorable battle of the Civil War, considered the 
turning point of the struggle between the Confederates and Federals. The 
Confederates numbering 80,000, under Lee, were defeated by about an equal 
number of National soldiers, led by Meade. The battle occurred July 1-3, 
1863. Lee, having pushed thus far in his great invasion of the North, lay 
at Chambersburg awaiting the results of disturbances among the " Copper- 
head " faction in the Northern cities. Ewell was posted between York and 
Carlisle with a strong Confederate force. Longstreet's columns and Stuart's 
cavalry were also separated from the main Confederate command. Meade 
had just taken command of the National troops, vice Hooker, resigned, had 
ordered the evacuation of Harper's Ferry, and contemplated a concentration 
of his forces at Pipe Creek, fifteen miles from Gettysburg, hoping to offer 
battle to Lee at that place. The absence of Stuart's cavalry prevented Lee 
from ascertaining the strength of the Nationals. Meade's plans of battle at 
Pipe Creek were frustrated, July i, by an attack by the Confederates upon 
Reynolds' division at Gettysburg. Reynolds, though supported by Buford's 
cavalry, was routed and killed. The fighting became general. Ewell's and 
Longstreet's columns had arrived, and Meade sent Howard to assume com- 
mand of the National field. Howard placed his forces upon the right, 
extending his line beyond the town to the north. This line was broken in 
the centre by Lee's repeated charges, but not without severe losses to the 
Confederates. Hancock arrived and rallied the Federals, placing his line 
along Round Top and Little Round Top, two strong positions. The National 
line now was, beginning with the right: Slocum's, Howard's, Hancock's and 
Sykes', with Sedgwick in reserve. The bloodiest fighting of the day, July 2, 
was between Vincent's and Hood's men on Little Round Top. The battles 
of the first two days were indecisive. Meade began the attack, July 3, by 
driving Ewell from his position on Rock Creek. Then followed Pickett's 
disastrous charge upon Cemetery Ridge, in which nearly 14,000 Confederates 
were killed. Lee was obliged to retreat. The Nationals lost 23,190, the 
Confederates nearly 30,000 and 7000 Confederates were left unburied. Many 
generals were killed on both sides. 

Ghent, Treaty of, a treaty of peace concluded between British and Ameri- 
can commissioners, assembled at Ghent in 1814. Clay, Adams, Gallatin, 
Bayard and Rus.sell represented the United States. The treaty was con- 
cluded December 24, 1814, and was ratified early in 1815. It provided for 



266 Dictionary of United States History. 

nuiversal peace between the belligerents; the mutual restoration of territory, 
property and archives; a cessation of hostilities immediately upon ratifica- 
tion; a restoration of prisoners of war; an establishment of the disputed 
northeastern boundary by construction of the treaty of 1783, with possible 
final reference to some friendly power; other boundary questions to be dis- 
posed of in a similar manner; and a mutual promotion of the abolition of 
the slave trade. Nothing was said of the impressment of seamen, the search 
of American vessels, and the oppressive decrees respecting neutral commerce 
the three grievances which mainly caused the war. 

Gherardi, Bancroft, born in 1833, nephew of George Bancroft, entered 
the navy in 1846, was made lieutenant-commander in 1862, and in com- 
mand of the " Port Royal " distinguished himself at Mobile Bay. He 
became a commodore in 1884, and a rear-admiral in 1886. 

Gibbon, John, born in 1827, served during the Mexican War, and in the 
Civil War, on the Federal side, taking part in the battles of South Mountain, 
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the Wilderness. 
He is author of an essay on " Our Indian Question." Died 1896. 

Gibbons, James, Roman Catholic prelate, born in Maryland in 1834, 
ordained a priest in 1861, became Archbishop of Baltimore in 1877, and was 
confirmed cardinal in 1886. 

Gibbons vs. Ogden, an important case in the U. S. Supreme Court. 
Aaron Ogden, having obtained by assignment the exclusive right of navi- 
gation of all waters within the jurisdiction of the State of New York, 
granted by that State to Livingston and Fulton for thirty years, beginning 
1808, filed a bill in the Court of Chancery of New York for an injunction 
against one Gibbons, of New Jersey, who possessed two steamboats running 
between New York and Elizabethtown, N. J. The injunction was granted. 
Gibbons appealed to the Supreme Court in 1824. 'The court gave judg- 
ment for the appellant, it being deemed that the granting of exclusive navi- 
gation of waters within the State of New York by that State's Legislature, 
extending to coastwise traffic with another State, was repugnant to the 
clause of the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to 
regulate commerce. 

Gibson, Randall L. (1832-1892), Senator, entered the Confederate army as 
a private, and rose to various fommands at Shiloh, Murfreesboro and Chicka- 
mauga. He represented Louisiana in the U. S. Congress from 1875 to 1883, 
and in the Senate from 1883 to 1892. 

Giddings, Joshua R. (1795-1864), was born in Pennsylvania. He served 
in the Ohio militia during the War of 1812, after which he studied law and 
was admitted to the bar in 1820. He was elected to the State Legislature 
in 1826, and was a Representative from Ohio in the U. S. Congress from 
1838 to 1859, during which time he was prominent as an advocate of the 
right of petition and one of the foremost opponents of slaver)-. In 1842 he 
was censured by the House of Representatives for his advocacy of anti- 
slavery measures. He at once resigned, and was triumphantly re-elected. 



Dictionary of United States History. 267 

In 1 86 1 he was appointed Consul-General in Canada, and in 1864 published 
a historj' of the Rebellion. 

Gilbert, Sir Humphrey (1539-1584), English navigator, half brother of 
Sir Walter Raleigh, sought to discover a northwest passage to India, and 
wrote a treatise on the subject. In 1578 he made an expedition which met 
with no success. In 1583 he planted a colony at Newfoundland which did 
not prosper. On his return he was lost at sea. 

Giles, William B. (1762-1830), represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress 
from 1790 to 1799, 1801 to 1803, and in the Senate from 1804 to 1815. In 
1826 he was a member of the Virginia Legislature, and was Governor of the 
State from 1826 to 1829. He was a skillful parliamentary leader. 

Gillmore, Quincy A. (1825-1888), was born in Ohio. He was graduated 
at the U. S. i\Iilitary Academy in 1849, was chief of engineers in the Port 
Royal expedition in 1 861, superintended the attack on Fort Pulaski, defeated 
the Confederates at Somerset in 1862, commanded at Fort vSumter, Fort 
Wagner and jMorris Island, and was promoted major-general for services at 
Charleston. He was an authority in engineering subjects. 

Gilman, Arthur, born in Illinois in 1837, in 1876 established the 
"Harvard Annex," of which he has since been executive officer. He has 
contributed largely to historical study. 

Gilman, Daniel C, born in 1831, one of the foremost of American edu- 
cators, was associated with Yale College from 1856 to 1872, and was presi- 
dent of the University of California from 1872 to 1875, since which time he 
has been president of the Johns Hopkins University. 

Gilman, Nicholas (1755-1814), promoted adjutant-general during the 
Revolution, was a New Hampshire delegate to the Continental Congress 
from 1786 to 1788, a U. S. Representative from 1789 to 1797, and a Senator 
from 1805 to 1 8 14. 

Gilmer, Thomas W., died in 1844, was Governor of Virginia from 1840 
to 1841. He was a U. S. Democratic Congressman from 1841 to 1844. He 
was Secretary of the Navy in Tyler's Cabinet in 1844, and was killed in the 
" Princeton " disaster. 

Gilmore, James R., born in Massachusetts in 1823, at the beginning of 
the Civil War published influential novels portraying Southern life. 

Gilpin, Henry D. (1801-1860), was U. S. attorney for Pennsylvania in 
1832, solicitor of the U. S. Treasury- in 1837, and Attorney-General for the 
United States from 1840 to 1841, and was deeply interested in historical 
work. He edited the papers of James Madison, 1840. 

Girard, Stephen (1750-1831), was born in France, but came to Phila- 
delphia about 1776. He amassed an immense fortune by commercial enter- 
prises and speculation during financial crises. During the War of 1812 he 
greatly aided the Government by a loan of $5,000,000. He was rigidly 
frugal and inhospitable in private life, but very generous in public afiairs, 
giving large sums for public and charitable purposes. He founded Girard 
College for orphans at Philadelphia. 



268 Dictionary of United States History. 

Girty, Simon (i750?-i8i5), a Kentucky loyalist who led the Indians in 
their depredations during the Revolutionary War and in the War of i8i2^ 
committing many atrocious deeds. 

Gist, Mordecai (1743-1792), was elected captain of the first Maryland 
company in the Revolutionary War, fought at Camden in 1780, and gained 
a victory over the British at Combahee in 1782. 

Glass. The first mention of the manufacture of glass in the United 
States is in Captain John Smith's " History of Virginia," in which he speaks 
of a glass factory having been founded at Jamestown in 1615, and a second 
in 1622. The work was coarse, being chiefly confined to bottles. In 1754, 
a successful factory was established in Brooklyn by Bamper, a Dutchman. 
In 1779, factories were founded at Temple, N. H., and in 1795 the industry 
was begun at Pittsburgh. By 1813 there were five glass factories, valued 
at f 160,000, at Pittsburgh. In 1840 there were eighty-one factories in the 
States, having a capital of $2,014,100. By 1870, 201 factories flourished in 
different places, having a total capital of $14,111,642. Since then the 
industry has rapidly increased. 

Glazier, Willard, born in 1841, a lieutenant in the Civil War, was con- 
fined in Southern prisons from 1863 to 1864, and wrote " Capture, Prison- 
Pen and Escape," a popular account of his experiences. 

Glendale, or Frayser's Farm, Va., a battle in the Peninsular campaign of 
the Civil War, occurring June 30, 1863. McClellan's army had just emerged 
from White Oak Swamp, where had also been a fierce battle with Jackson's 
troops. Hill and Longstreet fell upon the Federal rear and there was terrific 
fighting all the afternoon. McCall's division of the Federals fared worst and 
that leader was captured. Darkness ended this indecisive battle. This fight 
is also called Nelson's Farm and Charles City Cross-Roads. 

" Globe," a newspaper established at Washington by Francis P. Blair in 
1830, and succeeding the U. S. Telegraph as the oflJicial organ of Jackson's 
administration. Later as the Co?igresswnal Globe it became the publisher 
of official debates, and is now continued as the Congressional Record, pub- 
lished by Congress. 

Globe, Congressional. A continuation of the " Register of Debates," 
containing in 108 volumes a verbatim report of Congressional proceedings, 
debates and laws from 1837 to 1872. Its place was then taken by the Con- 
gressional Record. 

Gnadenhiitten, a settlement of Indians, christianized by the Moravians, 
made in 1783. It was situated on the Muskingum River. For many years 
this village and the sister settlements of Salem and Schonbrunn were peace- 
ful and prosperous. In 1781 Matthew Elliott, leading 300 whites and 
Hurons, appeared at Gnadenhiitten and urged the missionaries and Indians 
to depart to Sandusky. They did so, but returned the next year. Another 
troop of soldiers, frontiersmen and savages, under Colonel Williamson, and 
without civil or military authority, appeared, and brutally butchered the 
entire tribe, destroying their thriving village. 



Dictionary of United States History. 269 

Godkin, Edwin L., born in England in 1831, came to America in 1856. 
In 1865 he established the Nation^ and since 1881 has been an editor of the 

Evening Post. 

" God-Speed," a vessel sent in 1602 with the " Discovery " by the East 
India Company on a voyage of exploration toward Greenland. She was 
afterward sent with the " Susan Constant " and the " Discovery " with 
colonists to Virginia in 1606 by the Virginia Company. 

Godwin, Parke, born in 1816, was connected with the I^ew York Evening 
Post from 1837 to 1853, contributed largely to the Democratic Review, and 
published political, biographical and historical works, especially a history 
of France to 843 A. D. 

Goff, Nathan, born in 1843, was promoted major during the Civil War, 
and was elected to the West Virginia Legislature in 1867. He was State 
District Attorney from 1868 to 1881, Secretary of the Navy in 1881 and a 
U. S. Congressman from 1884 to 1890. 

Goffe, \A^illiam (i 605-1 679), regicide, was born in England. He became 
a major-general in the English army, was one of the judges who sentenced 
Charles I. to death, and was prominent in political affairs during the Pro- 
tectorate. Upon the return of Charles H., he fled to America in 1660, landing 
at Boston. He was concealed in New Haven from 1661 to 1664, when he 
went to Hadley, Mass., where he remained until just before his death. 

Gold. The first law affecting the coinage of gold into lawful money was 
•enacted April 2, 1792. By this law any person could have gold bullion con- 
verted into coin eleven parts pure to one part alloy. Its ratio to silver was 
fifteen to one, and gold coins were legal tender to any amount. In March, 
1795, a charge of four cents per ounce was made for coining gold bullion 
TdcIow the standard. Under the law of April 21, 1800, a sum was retained 
for coining gold below the standard. January 18, 1837, the standard gold 
coin was made nine-tenths pure and one-tenth alloy. February 21, 1853, it 
was enacted that gold coins were to be exchanged for silver coins at par in 
sums not exceeding $100, and a charge of one-half per cent was made for 
refining. February 12, 1873, it was enacted that one-fifth of one per cent 
was to be charged for coining standard gold. By the law of January 14, 
1875, no charge was to be made for converting standard gold bullion into 
■coin. For the history of the individual coins, see Double Eagle, Eagle, Half 
Eagle, Three-Dollar Piece, Quarter Eagle and Dollar. 

Gold, Production of. Up to 1830 the amount of gold produced in the 
United States was exceedingly small. In the next two decades an annual 
average of $700,000 was obtained from the mines in the Southern States. 
The discovery of gold in California raised the annual product to $10,000,000 
in 1848, to $40,000,000 in 1849, and to $50,000,000 in 1850. In 1853 it 
reached its maximum, $65,000,000. In the decade 1861-70 it averaged $47- 
000,000; in the decade 1871-80, $40,000,000; in the decade 1881-90, about 
$34,000,000. In 1892-93 it was $33,000,000. 



270 Dictionary of United States History. 

Golden Circle, Knights of the, an organization formed among the 
" Copperheads " during the Civil War to rescue Confederate prisoners held 
by the United States. 

" Golden Hind," the vessel which accompanied Sir Humphrey Gilbert's 
"Squirrel" in the colonization expedition of 1583. Gilbert was lost, and 
Captain Edward Haies returned with the " Golden Hind " to England bear- 
ing the news. 

Goldsborough, Louis M. (1805-1877), entered the navy at the age of 
seven, served in the Mediterranean in 1827, was promoted commander in 
1 841, and aided in the bombardment of Vera Cruz in 1847. In 1861 he was 
in command of the North Atlantic squadron, and planned the capture of 
Roanoke Island in 1862. He retired in 1873, as rear-admiral, having been 
longer in the service than any other officer. 

Gooch, Sir William (1681-1751), was Governor of Virginia' from 1727 to 
1747, when he returned to England. He was created a baronet in 1746, and 
was appointed major-general. 

Goodhue, Benjamin (1748-1814), a Massachusetts member of the Con- 
tinental Congress from 1784 to 1789, was a U. S. Congressman from 1789 to 
1795, and a (Federalist) Senator from 1796 to 1800. He drafted many of 
the present revenue laws, and served on the Committee on Commerce in the 
Senate. 

Goodrich, Samuel G. (1793-1860), served in the Massachusetts Senate in 
1838 and 1839, and was U. S. Consul at Paris from 1851 to 1855. He 
published many juvenile and educational works, usually under the name of 
Peter Parley, famous among which was a popular history of the United 

States. 

Goodyear, Charles (i 800-1 860), was born in Connecticut. By persistent 
experiment he discovered the vulcanizing process by which he rendered 
india-rubber useful. 

Gordon, John B., born in 1832, was promoted lieutenant-general in the 
Confederate service, represented Georgia in the U. S. Senate from 1873 to 
1880, and was elected Governor of Georgia in 1886. 

Gordon, 'William (1730— 1807), an Englishman, emigrated to Massachu- 
.setts in 1770, and was active in Massachusetts politics. He returned to Eng- 
land in 1786, and published a valuable " History of the Rise, Progress and 
Establishment of the Independence of the United States." 

Gorgeana, a town incorporated in 1642 under the grant of the charter 
of Maine to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and others. The grant was made 
December 2, 1631, of 24,000 acres on both sides of the Acomenticus River. 
Gorgeana was founded in 1641 as Acomenticus. 

Gorges, Sir Ferdinando (1565 ?-i647), was one of the founders of the 
original Plymouth Company, and sent out a number of unsuccessful expedi- 
tions to the New England coast. In 1620 he became a member of the 
Council for New England. In 1622 he, with Mason, obtained a grant of 



Dictionary of United States History. 271 

Northern New England; in 1629, of Western Maine, separately. Under a 
fuller proprietary grant of 1639, he established a government at Saco, Aco- 
menticus and Gorgeana. 

Gorman, Arthur P., born in 1839, was a page in the U. S. Senate from 
1852 to 1866, served in the Maryland Legislature from 1869 to 1879, and 
has been a U. S. Senator from 1881 to 1897. He is one of the chief Demo- 
cratic political managers. 

Gorton, Samuel (i6oo?-i677), emigrated to America from England in 
1636, was banished from Massachusetts for religious reasons, and finally 
settled in Rhode Island, where he founded a religious sect. He afterward 
named the place Warwick, in honor of the earl from whom he obtained 
redress for his grievances, when in 1 644-1 647 he was persecuted by 
Massachusetts. 

Gosnold, Bartholomew, died in 1607, an English navigator appointed by 
Lord Southampton to found a colony in New England. He landed on the 
coast of Maine, sailed around Cape Cod, and planted an unsuccessful colony 
in Buzzard's Bay on the island of Cuttyhunk. He sailed on another expedi- 
tion with Newport in 1606, and assisted in founding Jamestown. 

Gough, John B. (1817-1886), came to America from England in 1829. 
He led a dissipated life until 1842, when he reformed and devoted his efforts 
to temperance reform. He relied entirely on moral influences and disre- 
garded organized or legislative efforts. He was famous as an orator. 

Gould, Hannah F. (1789-1865), born in Massachusetts, was an extensive 
contributor of verse to various periodicals, and published several popular 
poetical works. 

Gould, Jay (i 836-1 893), first engaged in surveying, but entered the broker- 
age business in 1857 and amassed an immense fortune through railroad 
speculations. He was said to control nearly one-eighth of the railroad mile- 
age in the United States. 

Gourgues, Dominique de (1537-1593), a French soldier, set sail in 1567^ 
with three vessels and about 230 men, to punish the Spaniards led by 
Menendez, for killing French explorers in Florida. He enlisted the services 
of the Indians and attacked Fort San Mateo on the St. John's River, Florida, 
completely annihilated the garrison, and likewise destroyed the fortifications 
at the mouth of the river. 

Governor. When the American colonies were founded, " Governor " was 
used in two senses in England, — to denote the commander of a fortified post, 
like Hull or Tangier, and to denote the head of a great trading corporation, 
like the East India Company or the Massachusetts Company. The Governor 
of an American colony got his name by derivation from both these sources, 
probably. When the Revolution broke out and the royal Governors fled, the 
new State Constitutions usually made provision for a single executive, called 
the Governor. At first he was chosen by the Legislatures in most States 
south of New York, but now by the people. In the colonial period, the 



272 Dictionary of United States History. 

Governors of Rhode Island, of Connecticut, and of Massachusetts down to 
1691, were chosen by the people; those of proprietary colonies by the pro- 
prietors; those of royal colonies by the crown. 

Governor's Island, N. Y., called Nutten Island by its original settlers, 
the Dutch, received its present name from having been the property of 
Governor Wouter van Twiller. It was fortified and occupied by the colonial 
troops during the Revolution. 

Graduation Act, an act passed by Congress in 1854 to cheapen, for the 
benefit of actual settlers and for adjoining farms, the price of lands which 
had been long on the market. 

Grady, Henry 'W. (1851-18S9), journalist and orator, became associated 
with the Atlanta Constitution in 1880. He made himself the spokesman of 
the " New South," and delivered a famous speech on " The New South " in 
1886, and one upon " The Future of the Negro " in 1889. 

Grafton, Augustus Henry Fitzroy, Duke of (i 736-1 811), English states- 
man, opposed Townsend's policy of taxing the American colonies in 1766. 
He sought to prevent the war with the colonies, and opposed the measures 
of Lord North. 

Graham, George (i772?-i83o), commanded in the War of 1812, was act- 
ing Secretary of War from 1815 to 1817, and was U. S. Land Commissioner 
from 1823 to 1830. 

Graham, ^A^illiam A. (1804-1875), represented North Carolina in the 
U. S. Senate from 1840 to 1843, was Governor of the State from 1845 to 
1849, Secretary of the Navy in Fillmore's Cabinet from 1850 to 1853, and 
Whig candidate for Vice-President in 1852. 

Grahame, James (1790-1842), born in Scotland, published a "History of 
the Rise and Progress of the tlnited States of North America till the British 
Revolution of 1688," which was recognized as a thorough and authoritative 
work. 

Granby Token, a private or unauthorized coinage issued in Connecticut 
in 1737 by John Higley, of Granby. It was made of copper. Obverse, a 
deer and legend. Value Me as You Please; Roman numerals III. and crescent. 
Reverse, three hammers upon a triangular field, each bearing a crown. Legend: 
I Am Good Copper. 

Grand Army of the Republic, organized during the winter of 1865-66 at 
Springfield, 111., chiefly through the activity of Dr. B. F. Stephenson, late 
surgeon of the Fourteenth Illinois Infantr>'. The first post was established 
at Decatur, 111., in 1866. The ritual is secret. All soldiers and sailors of 
the U. S. army, navy and marine corps between April 12, 1861, and April 9, 
1865, are eligible for membership, provided they have had an honorable 
discharge. The membership in 1893 was 407,781. National conventions 
have been held each year. The first commander-in-chief was Stephen A. 
Hurlbut, of Illinois. Grand army posts have been established in nearly every 
city in the North and West. 



Dictionary of United States History. 273 

Grand Gulf, Miss., assaulted, during Grant's expedition along the Missis- 
sippi, by that general and Admiral Porter, who commanded eight Federal 
gunboats, April 29, 1863. Wade held the place with a small Confederate 
force. The position was bombarded for some hours without avail. 

Granger, Francis (i 792-1868), son of Gideon, a New York Assemblyman 
from 1826 to 1 83 1, was National Republican candidate for Vice-President in 
1836, a U. S. Congressman from 1835 to 1837 and from 1839 to 1843, and 
was Whig Postmaster-General in 1841. 

Granger, Gideon (i 767-1 822), served in the Connecticut Legislature, and 
was one of the originators of the school fund. He was Postmaster-General 
of the United States from 1801 to 1814 in the Cabinets of Jefferson and 
Madison, and was a member of the New York Senate from 181 9 to 1821, 
where he advocated an extensive system of internal improvements. 

Granger, Gordon (i 821-1876), active in the Mexican War at Vera Cruz, 
Chapultepec and city of Mexico, fought on the Federal side during the Civil 
War at Island No. 10, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge and Mobile, and was 
brevetted major-general. 

Granger, Robert S., general, born in 1816, promoted captain in the Mex- 
ican War, had commands in the Civil War at Lebanon, Lawrenceburg, in 
Nashville and Middle Tennessee in 1863, and Alabama in 1864. He retired 
in 1873. Died 1894. 

Grangers. The popular name for the " Patrons of Husbandry," a secret 
association devoted to the promotion of agricultural interests, organized in 
Washington, December 4, 1867. By the end of 1875 it numbered 1,500,000 
members in every section of the United States. Its organization was some- 
what similar to that of the Freemasons, but both men and women were 
admitted to membership. Though fundamentally non-political, it exerted 
considerable political influence in its contests with railroad corporations 
for cheaper rates. 

Grant, James (1720-1806), met with a severe defeat in command of an 
expedition against Fort Duquesne in 1758. He commanded two brigades of 
British troops at Long Island, and was in command of New Jersey during 
the battles of Trenton and Princeton. He served as a major-general in the 
battles of Brandywine and Germantown in 1777, and defeated Lee at 
Monmouth in 1778. 

Grant, Julia Dent, bom in 1826, married General Grant in 1848, was with 
him, when practicable, during the Civil War, and accompanied him in his 
travels. 

Grant, Ulysses S. (i 822-1 885), the greatest Federal general in the Civil 
War, was born at Point Pleasant, O., and was graduated from West Point 
in 1843. He was commissioned a lieutenant, fought in the battles of Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and was brevetted captain in 1847 for conduct 
at Chapultepec. In 1854 he resigned his commission and engaged in business 
until 1861. Soon after the outbreak of the war he was given command of 
18 



274 ^Dictionary of United States History. 

the forces at Cairo, 111., and in 1861 seized Paducah. In 1862 he gained pos- 
session of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, strongly contested points, the 
surrender of which was the first brilliant victory of the national amis. For 
this success he was commissioned major-general. In conjunction with the 
forces of General Buell he defeated the Confederates at Pittsburg Landing 
and soon afterward was assigned to command in Tennessee. He defeated 
General Price (1863) and succeeded in taking Vicksburg from Pendleton after 
repeated attacks. Having thus secured the Mississippi, he was appointed 
major-general in the regular army and placed in command of the Western 
army. He gained brilliant victories about Chattanooga and was appointed 
by President Lincoln to the newly revived rank of lieutenant-general. Leav- 
ing Sherman to conduct the chief Western army from Tennessee to the sea, 
he assumed control of the movements against the Confederates defending 
Richmond, commanded by General Lee. With dogged persistence and at 
great sacrifice of life he fought the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania 
and Cold Harbor, destroying the railroads which brought supplies to the 
Confederates, taking Petersburg in 1865 and compelling the entire command 
to surrender on April 9 at Appomattox Court House, thereby ending the war. 
In the period of reconstruction which followed he played a most honorable 
part, often being placed in difficult positions by the animosity between Presi- 
dent Johnson and Congress. In 1868 he was unanimously nominated for 
President by the Republicans, was elected and served two terms, from 1868 
to 1876. During his administration occurred the passage of the Fifteenth 
Amendment, the funding of tlie national debt, civil service reform was 
inaugurated, the Treaty of Washington was negotiated with Great Britain, 
and specie payment was resumed in 1875. His administration as President 
was not wholly successful, some of his advisers proving most unworthy. He 
possessed an unassuming manner, yet was self-reliant and prompt in his 
decisions, calm and patient in all circumstances, and won the admiration of 
all by his moral and physical courage. He published " Personal Memoirs." 

Grasse, Francois J. P., Count de (1723-1788), born in France, was 
appointed commander of a French fleet of twenty-nine vessels and 3000 
men to aid the American colonists against Great Britain in 1781. He aided 
in the siege of Yorktown, blockading the York and James Rivers, and sent 
troops to aid in the decisive engagement by which Cornwallis was compelled 
to surrender. 

Gray, Asa (1810-1888), born in New York, was recognized both in this 
country and in Europe as one of the most eminent botanists of his time. 
He published a large number of valuable botanical works. 

Gray, Elisha, born in 1835, is a successful inventor of various electrical 
appliances, chiefly for the telegraph and telephone, among them being his 
speaking telephone and multiplex telegraph. 

Gray, George, born in 1840, Attorney-General of Delaware from 1879 to 
1885, was a delegate to the National Democratic Conventions of 1876, 1880 
and 1884, and was a U. S. Senator from 1885 to 1893. 

Gray, Horace, born in 1828, reporter of the Massachusetts Supreme Court 
from 1854 to 1861, was Associate Justice of it from 1864 to 1873, when he 



Dictionary of United States History. 275 

became Chief Justice. He was appointed a Justice of the U. S. Supreme 
Court in 1882. 

Gray, Isaac P., born in 1828, was a captain in the Civil War, and served 
in the Indiana Senate from 1868 to 1872, when he was elected Lieutenant- 
Governor. He was Governor from 1885 to 1889, as a Democrat. Died 1895, 

Gray, Robert (1755- 1806), born in Rhode Island, traded with the Indians 
on the northwest coast, and returned in 1790 via China, being the first to 
carry the American flag around the world. He sailed into the Columbia 
River in 1792, from which arose the American claim to Oregon. 

" Great Awakening," a religious revival between 1734 and 1744, through 
Massachusetts and Connecticut, induced by the eloquence of Jonathan 
Edwards and George Whitefield. Edwards had a parish at Northampton, 
Whitefield was an Englishman. Their preaching aroused the greatest 
religious enthusiasm, and made hundreds of converts. The awakening was 
looked upon with disfavor in England. 

Great Bridge, Va., an engagement of the Revolution, occurring Decem- 
ber 9, 1775, near the Dismal Swamp, between Lord Dunmore, commanding 
a band of British and Tories, and Colonel Woodford leading 300 colonial 
soldiers. Dunmore attacked Woodford's camp, and was defeated with the 
loss of 100 men, Woodford sustaining no loss. 

Great Britain. (See also Revolution.) The definitive treaty of peace 
which ended the Revolutionary War between the United States and Great 
Britain was concluded September 3, 1783. Failure to fulfill some of the 
provisions of this treaty — notably the evacuation of the northern frontier 
posts — led to the negotiation of the Jay Treaty. This concession (of evacu- 
ation) with some doubtful commercial privileges was almost the only advan- 
tage secured by the new treaty, which gave more than it gained, and proved 
very unpopular, though it was ratified. British orders in council, damaging 
to American commerce, and the arbitrary impressment of American seamen, 
resulted in the War of 181 2-1 5 (see next art.), which was ended by the 
treaty of peace known as the Treaty of Ghent, which provided for commis- 
sions to settle the northern boundary. A commercial convention was con- 
cluded in 1815. The Convention of 1818 reaflSrmed the right of the United 
States to the enjoyment of the northeastern fisheries subject to certain 
renunciations. It referred to arbitration the question of the return of the 
slaves captured during the War of 181 2, which was finally decided in favor 
of the United States, and an indemnity paid. It attempted to settle the 
northwest boundary. The Ashburton Treaty of 1842 determined the long- 
disputed northeast boundary and provided for the mutual suppression of the 
slave trade. The acquisition of California and the question of its approaches 
across the Isthmus led to new difficulties with Great Britain. The Clay- 
ton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850 was concluded to settle all diflficulties as to Cen- 
tral American rights, but a difficulty of interpretation led to the conclusion 
of the Dallas-Clarendon Treaty of 1854, which failed of ratification, and the 
matter was not satisfactorily adjusted for several years. In 1853 a claims 
convention was concluded, a reciprocity treaty in 1854, and a treaty for the 



276 Dictionary of United States History. 

suppression of the slave trade in 1862 — afterward modified. A naturaliza- 
tion convention was concluded in 1870. A treaty (Treaty of Washington) 
was concluded May 8, 1871, to settle questions arising from the American 
Civil War. It provided for a commission of arbitration which awarded 
$15,500,000 to the United States, and settled important questions of inter- 
national law. (See " Alabama " Claims and Geneva Arbitration.) This 
treaty further adjusted differences relating to the northeastern fisheries, and 
$5,500,000 were awarded to Great Britain. Also the northwestern boundary 
dispute (or San Juan question) was referred to the Emperor of Germany, 
who decided in favor of the United States. An extradition treaty was con- 
cluded in 1890. The latest difficulty between the two nations has been the 
Behring Sea dispute. This arose over the right to take seals in certain 
waters claimed by the United States as under its exclusive jurisdiction. A 
treaty of arbitration was signed February 29, 1892, which provided for a 
tribunal of arbitration. It met in Paris, and on August 15, 1893, signed 
an agreement which denies exclusive American jurisdiction beyond the 
three-mile limit, and grants damages for seizures by the United States, but 
establishes protective regulations binding upon both nations. In 1892 a 
reciprocity treaty was concluded respecting the British West Indies. 

Great Britain, Second War with. The war between England and 
France, resumed in 1803, resulted in innumerable aggressions upon the 
commerce of neutrals. The Berlin and Milan Decrees and the orders in 
council, issued by the two combatants in the effort to destroy each other's 
resources, subjected to capture on the one hand all vessels trading with Eng- 
land, and on the other hand all vessels trading with France or regions subject 
to France — practically nearly the whole continent of Europe. England, 
moreover, insisted on the impressment of seamen and the exercise of the 
right of search. The Non-Importation Act, the embargo and the Non-Inter- 
course Act brought neither belligerent to terms, and negotiations with Eng- 
land failed to check British aggressions. The result was the growth, espe- 
cially in the West, of a resolute war party, led by Clay, Calhoun, Crawford, 
Grundy, Cheves, Lowndes and others, who succeeded in forcing President 
Madison's hand, and in June, 1812, brought on a declaration of war with 
England. The militar>' and naval forces of the United States were exceed- 
ingly small in comparison with those of Great Britain, the country disunited 
and the executive weak. The theatre of land operations was at first the 
Canadian frontier. In 181 2 the Americans lost Detroit and Chicago, and 
■were checked in attempts to invade Canada by way of Niagara. In 1813 
Perry's victory on Lake Erie secured that lake and Detroit, but in the 
regions of Ontario and the St. Lawrence an American occupation of Upper 
Canada proved temporary, and no substantial gains were made. On the sea 
the little American navy won brilliant and encouraging victories in 181 2. 
In 1813 it was on the whole unsuccessful, but privateers, to the end of the 
war, inflicted enormous damage on British shipping. In 1814 the army on 
the Canadian frontier, better commanded than heretofore, won victories at 
Lundy's Lane and Plattsburg. But the abdication of Napoleon left England 
free to employ more troops in America. A force which landed in Chesapeake 
Bay captured Washington, but was repulsed from Baltimore. Meanwhile 




NAVAL COMMANDERS OF WAR 1812. 

'^- P°''«'' Stephen Decatur, 

William Bainbridge. 

James Lawrence. Oliver H. Perry. Charles Stewart. 



Dictionary of United States History. 



277 



New England gave violent expression to its dissatisfaction with the war, 
especially through the Hartford Convention. As neither nation was making 
substantial gains, negotiations for peace were begun, and finally peace was 
concluded by the Treaty of Ghent (1814). The treaty said nothing of either 
the rights of neutrals or the impressment of seamen. Yet the effect of the 
war had been to increase the confidence of the Americans and their national 
feeling, and to withdraw the countr>''s politics permanently from dependence 
on those of Europe. Before the news of peace arrived, Jackson won a 
brilliant victory at New Orleans over a formidable British force which had 
been sent to occupy the mouth of the Mississippi (181 5). 

Great Meadows. Toward the end of May, 1754, Washington encamped 
with 150 men on a meadow near the Youghiogeny River between the 
Alleghany and Laurel Ridges. His instructions were to advance upon Fort 
Duquesne, which had been seized by the French during the preceding year. 
When at Great Meadows he learned that a body of French were in his 
vicinity. Taking a portion of his force and an Indian guide he surprised 
the French who were hidden in a hollow in the forest, and at once opened 
fire. Several, among whom was their commander Jumonville, were killed, 
and over twenty taken prisoners. This was the beginning of the French 
and Indian War, and indeed was the first engagement of the Seven Years* 
War. 

Greece. The United States sympathized with the efforts of the Greeks 
to throw off the Turkish yoke, but early attempts at Governmental action in 
their favor were frustrated. - A commercial treaty was concluded in 1837. 

Greeley, Horace (1811-1872), was born in New Hampshire. In 1833 he 
edited the Evening Post, the first daily penny paper ever issued, and in 
1834 founded the New Yorker. He was editorially connected with the 
Jeffcrsonian and the Log Cabin, campaign journals of considerable popu- 
larity, and in 1841 issued the first number of the Tribune, which he con- 
tinued to edit until his death. It was at first Whig, then Anti-Slavery Whig, 
then Republican, employed the most eminent men of the day on its staff, 
proclaimed the most popular and radical views, and was the most influential 
paper in America. From 1848 to 1849 ^^^ represented New York in the 
U. S. Congress, where he redressed abuses of the mileage system. He 
earnestly advocated the abolition of slaver}' during the war, and made most 
powerful appeals to the administration through the columns of his paper. 
During the period of reconstruction he advocated universal amnesty and 
impartial suffrage, and became one of the bondsmen of Jefferson Davis in 
1867. In 1872 he was Presidential candidate for the Liberal Republican 
and Democratic parties, but was defeated by General Grant. Eccentric in 
habit and in thought, frank and open-minded, firm in his convictions, ever 
mindful of the welfare of society, he was called by John G. Whittier, " the 
later Franklin." 

Greely, Adolphus ^A^., bom in Maine in 1844, was brevetted major for 
services in tlie Civil War, and .soon afterward entered the Signal Service. 
In 1881 he commanded an expedition of twenty-five men which established 



278 Dictionary of United States History. 

an observation station at the farthest point north yet attained. When res- 
cued in 1884, only seven men had survived. He was chief of the Signal 
Service from 1887 to 1892. In 1887 he became a brigadier-general. 

Green, Duff (1780-1875), an influential politician who edited an opposi- 
tion organ during John Quincy Adams' administration, and the U. S. Tele- 
graph (an " official " organ) during Jackson's first term. He supported 
Clay in 1832, and Calhoun in 1836. 

Greenhalge, Frederic T., lawyer and statesman, born 1842 in England. 
Removed to Lowell, Mass., educated in public schools and Harvard College. 
Studied law, admitted to bar 1865. Mayor of Lowell two years, one year in 
Legislature, and 1889-90 in U. S. Congress. Governor of Massachusetts 
three terms, 1894-95-96. Died in office March 5, 1896. 

" Green Bay Intelligencer," first newspaper published in Wisconsin. It 
V.MS founded December 11, 1833, by Suydam and Ellis at Green Bay. In 
August, 1836, it was united with the Spectator and called the Wisconsin 
.Democrat. In 1840 it was removed to Southport (Kenosha). 

•Green Briar Creek, Va., an encampment of Confederate forces under 
Lee. Reynolds, the Federal commander in that quarter, left his camp at 
Elkwater, October 2, 1861, with 5000 men and a large artillery force and 
advanced against the Confederates. Kimball attacked the Confederates' 
front and right, while Milroy cleared the Green Briar bridge. The fighting 
continued fiercely for some time, but there was no decisive victory, for Rey- 
nolds, having gained the bridge, sounded the recall. 

Green Mountain Boys, a band of Vermont mountaineers who, led by Ethan 
Allen and Benedict Arnold, captured Fort Ticonderoga May 10, 1776, secur- 
ing fifty British prisoners and 200 cannon. They rendered effective service 
throughout the Revolution. 

Greenback Party, organized in a Greenback Convention at Indianapolis, 
November 25, 1874, which assembled to adopt resolutions opposing the 
specie resumption bill proposed at that time in Congress and passed Januar>' 
14, 1875. The Greenback party platform advocated the withdrawal of all 
national and State bank currency, and the substitution therefor of paper 
currency issued by the Government, and that coin should only be used in 
payment of interest on the national debt. The Greenback Presidential can- 
didate in 1876, Peter Cooj^er, of New York, received 81,740 votes, chiefly 
from the Western States. 

Greenback Labor Party, an outgrowth of the Greenback party, fonned 
in Ohio in 1875. In 1878 a union of the Labor Reform and the remnants 
of the old Greenback party was effected and was made national by the Con- 
vention of February 22 of that year, at Toledo, O. The platform adopted 
was similar to that of the Greenback party. It advocated the withdrawal of 
currency from all national and State banks and corporations, a paper currencv 
issued by the Government, and that coin should only be paid for interest on 
the national debt when so specified. They also demanded an eight-hour law, 
the prohibition of Chinese immigration, of land grants to railroads and of 
special grants to corporations and bondholders. In 1878 they elected fourteen 
Congressmen. Their national convention was held at Chicago, June 9, 1880, 



Dictionary of United States History. 279 

James B. Weaver, of Iowa, and B. J. Chambers, of Texas, being the Presi- 
dential nominees. Their popular vote reached 308,578. In 1884 the Presi- 
dential candidate of the party was B. F. Butler, who received 175,370 votes. 
In 1887 the Union Labor party was organized. 

Greenbacks. The popular name for the legal-tender Treasury notes which 
the U. S. Government issued during the war. Although the right of the 
Government to issue " bills of credit," legal-tender notes, was disputed by 
many, the necessities of the Government caused the passage of an act of 
that effect on February 25, 1862. This authorized the issue of $150,000,000 
of such notes. Acts authorizing further issues of the same amount were 
passed on June 11, 1862, and March 3, 1863. The legal-tender notes 
rapidly depreciated, the price of gold averaging 220 throughout 1864, and 
even on one day rising to 285. By Act of 1866 the total amount outstand- 
ing was reduced to $356,000,000 within two years. Since 1878 it has been 
$346,681,016. 

Greenbriar Company, a land company organized October 29, 1757, in 
opposition to the (Dhio and Loyal Companies. The Greenbriar Company 
obtained a grant of 100,000 acres, chiefly along the Ohio River. 

Greene, Christopher (1737-1781), served in the Rhode Island Legislature 
from 1772 to 1774, was appointed commander in Arnold's expedition to Quebec 
and in 1777 made a brilliant defence of Fort Mercer against the Hessians. 

Greene, George W. (1811-1883), U. S. Consul at Rome in 1837, served in 
the Rhode Island Legislature from 1867 to 1869 and wrote a history of the 
Revolution and a life of General Nathanael Greene. 

Greene, Nathanael (1742-1786), general, born in Warwick, R. I., served in 
the Rhode Island Assembly in 1770. He joined a military company in 1774 
and was commissioned brigadier-general in 1775. He was active in the 
engagement at Dorchester Heights, and was made major-general in 1776. 
He fought at Trenton and at Princeton and saved the American forces from 
defeat at Brandywine by a rapid march and skillful management. He com- 
manded the left wing at Germantown, skillfully covering the retreat, and in 
1778 was appointed quartermaster-general while retaining his rank in the 
field. He presided at the trial of Major Andre. In 1780 he succeeded Gates 
in command of the Southern forces. One of his detachments, under General 
Morgan, having gained a decisive victory at Cowpens, Greene joined him 
■with reinforcements and attacked Cornwallis at Guilford Court House. He 
then began a brilliant campaign in South Carolina, engaging Lord Rawdon 
at Camden, capturing Forts Watson, Motte and Granby, regaining Orange- 
"burg, Augusta and Fort Ninety-six, and winning a decisive victory at Eutaw 
Springs. Soon afterward a detachment under General Wayne took posses- 
sion of Savannah and Greene occupied Charleston. He disbanded his troops 
in 1783. By his skill in military manoeuvres he proved himself one of the 
most brilliant generals of that period, second only to Washington, among 
those of the Revolution. 

Greenough, Horatio (1805-1852), designed a model from which Bunker 
Hill Monument was made; constructed the " Rescue," and a statue of Wash- 
ington, and became one of the most eminent of American sculptors. 



28o Dictionary of United States History. 

Greenway Court, the home of Lord Fairfax in a valley of the Virginia 
Mountains. It was built in 1745, in Frederick County. 

Grenville, George (1712-1770), became a member of the English Parlia- 
ment in 1741, was a lord of the Admiralty in 1744, a lord of the Treasury 
in 1747, treasurer of the navy and privy councillor in 1754, leader of the 
House of Commons in 1761, secretary of state and first lord of the 
Admiralty in 1762, and was first lord of the Treasury (Prime Minister) and 
chancellor of the exchequer, from 1763 to 1765. In 1765 he secured the 
passage of the act imposing stamp duties on America, and strenuously 
opposed the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. He was an able statesman, 
but possessed a very imperious nature. 

Grenville, Sir Richard (1540-1591), an English navigator, set out with 
seven vessels and 108 colonists for Carolina on a colonizing expedition for 
Sir Walter Raleigh in 1585. He landed the colonists at Roanoke Island, 
but they soon afterward returned to England on account of troubles with the 
Indians. In 1586 he renewed the attempt. In 1591, with only one ship, he 
attacked a Spanish fleet of fifty vessels and sunk four of them, but was 
mortally wounded. 

Grenville Act, so called after the British Minister, George Grenville; an 
act extending the navigation acts, placing imposts on foreign molasses, an 
increased duty on sugar, regulating English manufactures, and prohibiting 
trade between America and St. Pierre and Miquelon, two small French 
islands off Newfoundland. 

Gresham, Walter Q., born in 1832, was a member of the Indiana Legis- 
lature from i860 to 1 86 1, served during the Civil War, and was promoted 
major-general in 1865. He was U. S. District Judge in Indiana from 1869 
to 1883, when he was appointed Postmaster-General in Arthur's Cabinet, and 
in 1884 was for a short time Secretary of the Treasury. From 1884 to 1893 
he was a Judge of the U. S. Circuit Court. In 1893 he became Secretary 
of State in Mr. Cleveland's Cabinet, though till 1892 a Republican. D. 1895. 

Grey, Charles (1729-1807), major-general, accompanied Howe from Eng- 
land in 1775, surprised and defeated General Wayne's force near the Schuyl- 
kill on September 20, 1777, had a command at Germantown and Tappan, 
and destroyed the shipping and stores at New Bedford in 1778. 

Greytown, a town on the Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua, bombarded and 
destroyed in 1854 by the U. S. ship " Cyane." A negro had been shot by a 
steamship captain in May, and the mayor of Greytown ordered the captain's 
arrest. The passengers resisted, among them Borland, the U. S. Minister. 
The next day Borland was assaulted on the street. In July the " Cyane " 
was despatched to the town. Commander Hollins sent to the mayor demand- 
ing immediate payment of the extortionate demands of a transit company, 
with which the town authorities had quarreled. This was refused. Hollins 
opened fire and destroyed the town. 

Grier, Robert C. (1794-1870), admitted to the bar in 1817, was District 
Judge of Alleghany from 1838 to 1846, when he became a justice of the 
U. S. Supreme Court and served until 1870. 



Dictionary of United States History. 281 

Grierson, Benjamin H., born iu 1826, conducted a successful cavalry raid 
from La Grange to Baton Rouge in 1863, and was successively promoted for 
dashing cavalry exploits until appointed a major-general of the U. S. array 
in 1866. 

Griffin, Charles (1826-1867), fought at Bull Run, had comraands at Mal- 
vern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, took a prominent part 
in Grant's Peninsular campaign, and was made major-general in the U. S. 
army iu 1865. 

Griffin, Simon G., general, born in 1824, ^'i 1862 fought at Camden, 
Antietam and Fredericksburg, and assisted in taking Vicksburg. He fought 
also at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Petersburg, and aided in the defeat 
of General Lee at Appomattox. 

Grimes, James W. (1816-1872), Governor of Iowa from 185410 1858, 
was a U. S. Senator from 1859 to 1871, and chainnan of the Committee on 
Naval Affairs from 1864 to 187 1. He was one of the Republicans who 
voted " Not guilty " at President Johnson's trial. 

Grinnell, Henry (1800-1874), a successful merchant, devoted the later 
years of his life to the extension of geographical knowledge, and sent out 
two expeditions to the polar seas. 

" Gripen," a sloop furnished for emigrants in the Swedish colonization 
expedition of 1637. It reached Delaware Bay in March, 1638, and the emi- 
grants formed settlements along the Delaware River. 

Griswold, Roger (1762-1812), represented Connecticut in the U. S. Con- 
gress from 1795 to 1805, was appointed Judge of the Connecticut Supreme 
Court in 1807, and chosen Governor in 1811. 

Griswold, Rufus W. (1815-1857), associate editor of numerous periodicals 
including Graliaui's Magazine and the International Magazine^ was the 
author of " Poets and Poetry of America " and " Prose Writers of America." 

Griswold, Fort, Capture of, September 6, 1781. In view of the siege of 
Cornwallis in Yorktown, Clinton attempted a diversion upon Connecticut. 
Benedict Arnold commanded. The only spirited resistance was offered by 
the garrison of Fort Griswold, 157 in number. After losing 192 of his 600 
regulars Arnold carried the fort. No quarter was given. Only twenty-six 
escaped. New London was laid in ashes, and before sunset the enemy 
returned up the Sound. The descent was wanton and useless. 

Groesbeck, William S., born in 1815, represented Ohio in the U. S. Con- 
gress from 1857 to 1859, was a State vSenator in 1862 and of counsel for 
President Johnson iu the impeachment trial. 

Gros Ventres, a name applied to two Indian tribes of different origin: the 
Gros Ventres of the Missouri and the Gros Ventres of the prairie. The latter 
tribe, after wandering east and joining various tribes temporarily, finally 
settled about 1824 "ear Milk River with the Blackfeet. Treaties were made 
with th'em in 1851, 1853 and 1865, and the Indians have since continued 
friendly. They have suffered considerably from hostilities with other tribes. 
They now occupy a reservation in Montana. 



282 Dictionary of United States History. 

Grover, Cuvier (1829-1885), a lieutenant-colonel at Williamsburg and 
Fair Oaks, commanded a division in the Shenandoah campaign and was 
brevetted major-general for services at Fisher's Hill in 1864. 

Grover, Lafayette, born in 1823, chairman of the Oregon Democratic 
Committee from 1866 to 1870, was Governor of Oregon from 1870 to 1878. 
He decided for the Democratic elector in the disputed Presidential election 
of 1876, and was a U. S. Congressman from 1877 to 1883. 

Grow, Galusha A., born in 1824, represented the " Wilmot district" in 
Pennsylvania in the U. S. Congress as a Whig and Republican from 1851 to 
1863 and was Speaker of the House from 1861 to 1863. He served on the 
Committees on Indian Affairs, Agriculture and Territories, being chairman of 
this committee for four years. He was a delegate to the Republican National 
Conventions of 1864 and 1868. In 1894 he was elected Congressman-at- 
large by an enormous majority (188,000). 

Grundy, Felix (1777-1840), born in Virginia, was a member of the Ken- 
tucky Constitutional Convention of 1799, and a member of the State House 
of Representatives from 1800 to 1806. He represented Tennessee in the 
U. S. Congress from 1811 to 1814 and was a member of the Tennessee House 
of Representatives from 1815 to 1819. He was a U. S. Senator from 1820 
to 1838, and was Attorney-General in Van Buren's Cabinet from 1838 to 1839, 
when he again became a U. S. Senator and served until his death. 

Guadalupe Hidalgo, Treaty of, was negotiated with Mexico by Nicholas 
P. Trist for the United States in 1848, at the conclusion of the Mexican War. 
By this treaty Mexico ceded to the United States the territory of Texas, New 
Mexico and Upper California, and agreed upon the Rio Grande River as the 
boundary between herself and Texas. The United States agreed to pay 
Mexico $15,000,000 and to assume all claims of its citizens against Mexico 
arising before the treaty. It reserved to Mexicans in the ceded territory the 
option to remove or remain and assured protection of their rights of property. 

Guatemala. One treaty has been concluded between the United States 
and Guatemala — a treaty of peace, amity, commerce and navigation, con- 
cluded March 3, 1849. Requisite notice having been given this treaty ceased 
to operate November 4, 1874. A recipi-ocity treaty was concluded in 1892. 

" Guerriere," frigate. (See " Constilu'.ion.") 

Guess, George, or Sequoyah (i 770-1 843), an Indian half-breed who 
devised the alphabet used by the Clierokees. It consists of eighty-five char- 
acters, mostly borrowed from the English, each representing a single sound. 

Guilford Court House, Battle of, March 15, 1781. After the battle of 
Cowpens Morgan turned north and Cornwallis pursued. Greene resolved to 
crush Cornwallis, thus separated from his base of supplies. In person he 
joined Morgan in the Catawba Valley, and finally his main force effected a 
conjunction with Morgan at Guilford Court House, N. C. Cornwallis was 
anxious for an engagement, but Greene crossed into Virginia, hoping to get 
reinforcements. Not succeeding, and fearing that the people of North Car- 
olina might think their cause deserted, he marched south again. By a 



Dictionary of United States History. 2S3 

number of marches and countermarches he eluded Cornwallis until he found 
himself in a position to fight at Guilford Court House. His force was 4404. 
Cornwallis had 2213, all veterans. Greene placed in front his North Caro- 
lina militia, in his second line his Virginia militia, and in his third line his 
Maryland and Virginia regulars. The first line soon broke, but the second 
was pushed back only after a desperate struggle. In the third line the right 
wing was victorious, but the left was beaten for a while, until Colonel Wash- 
ington's cavalry restored it. Cornwallis was now reduced to the defensive. 
He retired in good order and took position on a hill near Guilford Court 
House. All attempts to dislodge him were vain. At evening Greene retired 
with a loss of 400. The British had fought bravely, losing 600. They 
were too crippled to act, and Cornwallis could only retreat. He had been, 
outgeneraled. It was a strategic victory for the Americans and Cornwallis 
was forced to abandon the Carolinas. 

Gunboats. The " gunboat system " was inaugurated during Jefferson's 
administration, $50,000 being appropriated at his suggestion, February 28, 
1803, to build gunboats. In 1806, $60,000 more were appropriated for the 
building of 240 gunboats for the defence of fifteen principal harbors. The 
seamen of the towns were to be trained to man them, and they were to be 
drawn up under sheds when not in use. The gunboat question speedily 
became a political issue, the Federalists opposing it and favoring a strong 
navy, the Republicans favoring it. The last appropriation was made in 
1813. The gunboats were used to some extent during the War of 1812. 

Gunston Hall, Fairfax County, Va., the home of George Mason, of Revo- 
lutionar)' fame. This old mansion continued in the possession of the Mason 
family until after the Civil War. 

Guntown, Miss. Here, June 10, 1864, while the Confederate cavalry- 
man Forrest was raiding through Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee, he 
was met by Sturgis leading a force of 8000 Federals. Forrest had 1000 
men. He attacked Grierson, who led the Federal van, speedily routing him. 
Sturgis hurried up, but his troops were wearied out and not prepared for 
battle. They were put to flight and 200 baggage wagons were captured by 
the Confederates. 

Gustavus Adolphus (1594-1632), King of Sweden from 161 1 to 1632, in 
1624 granted a charter to the Swedish West India Company founded by 
William Usselinx, and pledged himself to subscribe 400,000 daler of the 
royal treasury to the company's stock. 

Guthrie, James (1792-1869), was a member of the Kentucky Senate from 
1 83 1 to 1840, Secretary of the Treasury in Pierce's Cabinet from 1853 to 1857, 
and a U. S. Senator from 1865 to 1868. 

Guyot, Arnold (1807-1884), came to America from vSwitzerland in 1848, 
was a professor at Princeton from 1854 to 1884, and became eminent as a 
promoter of geographical and meteorological science. 

Gwin, William 'W. (1805-1885), represented Mississippi in the U. S. 
Congress from 1841 to 1843, and was a U. S. Senator from California from 



284 Dictionary of United States History. 

1850 to 1 86 1, during which time he served on the Finance and Naval Com- 
mittees. He was a pro-slavery Democrat. 

Gwinnett, Button (1732-1777), came to America from England in 1770, 
represented Georgia in the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776, and 
signed the Declaration of Independence. 

Gwynn's Island, Va. Here in 1776 Lord Dunmore was entrenched with 
his British and Tory troops. December 8 the colonial troops, under Lewis 
and Stephen, attacked and dislodged him, forcing him to take to his ships, 
which were shelled as they sailed away. Dunmore was wounded. 



H. 

Habeas Corpus, Suspension of. On July 5, 1861, Attorney-General Bates 
gave an opinion in favor of the President's power to declare martial law and 
suspend the writ of habeas corpus. A special session of Congress approved 
this opinion. Thereafter many arbitrary arrests were made, arousing much 
indignation. September 24, 1862, the suspension was made general by the 
President so far as it might affect persons arrested by military authority for 
disloyal practices. An act of Congress, March 3, 1863, again authorized the 
suspension of the writ by the President in cases of prisoners of war, deserters, 
those resisting drafts and offenders against the military or naval service. The 
arrest of Vallandigham, in Ohio, and of Milligan, in Indiana, caused great 
excitement. The case of the latter being brought before the Supreme Court 
of the Union, that body decided that Congress could not give to military 
commissions the power of trial and conviction, and that the suspension of the 
privilege of habeas corpus did not suspend the writ itself. In the case of the 
Ku-Klux rebellions there was a brief suspension of habeas corpus in 1871. 

Habersham, Joseph (1751-1815), was a prominent patriot in Georgia dur- 
ing the Revolution. He was Postmaster-General in the administrations of 
Washington, Adams and Jefferson from 1795 to 1801. 

Hadley, Mass., settled in 1659, became the refuge of the two English 
regicides, Goffe and Whalley, in 1664. The town was attacked by Indians 
during King Philip's War. The savages were repulsed by the townspeople 
under the leadership of Colonel Goffe, one of the regicides, who suddenly 
came from his hiding-place for that purpose. 

" Hail Columbia," a stirring national song. The music was composed in 
1798 by Pfyles, leader of the orchestra at the John Street Theatre, New 
York, and was for a time known as the " President's March." The words 
were composed the same year by Judge Hopkinson, after which the air 
became immensely popular, it having been produced in a period of great 
political excitement. 

Hakluyt, Richard (1553-1616), English aiithor, in 1582 published " Divers 
Voyages Touching the Discovery of America," and as a result of further 
investigations in France wrote " A Particular Discourse covering Western 



Dictionary of United States History. 285 

Discoveries." In 1587 he produced the " Histor>' of Four Voyages made by 
French Captains into Florida," and in 1589 published "The Principal Navi- 
gations, Voyages and Discoveries made by the English Nation." In 1606 he 
appealed to the king for a charter for the colonization of Virginia, and was 
one of the members of the South Virginia Company. 

Hale, Edward Everett, born in Massachusetts in 1822, has been pastor 
of the South Congregational Church since 1856. He is a popular orator and 
author, and has done considerable historical work, being an authority on 
Spanish-American affairs, has contributed to histories of the United States, 
and published " Franklin in France." 

Hale, Eugene, born in 1836, was a member of the Maine Legislature in 
1867 and 186S, a U. S. Congressman from 1869 to 1879, and has been a 
Republican Senator from 1861 to the present time (1897). 

Hale, John P. (1806-1873), born in Rochester, N. H., was admitted to the 
bar in 1830. He was a member of the New Hampshire House of Represen- 
tatives in 1832, and was appointed U. S. Attorney for the district of New 
Hampshire from 1834 to 1840. He represented New Hampshire in the 
U. S. Congress from 1843 to 1845. He was a U. S. Senator from 1847 
to 1853, being the first zealous opponent of slavery in that body, and was 
nominated in 1852 as the Presidential candidate of the Free-Soil party. He 
was again a U. S. Senator from 1855 to 1865, and was appointed Minister 
to Spain by President Lincoln, serving from 1865 to J869. 

Hale, Nathan (1755-1776), born in Connecticut, joined a volunteer com- 
pany at the first news of the Revolutionary War, participated in the siege 
of Boston, and was made captain in 1776. He captured the British supply 
ship " Asia," and volunteered to reconnoitre the position of the British forces. 
He was apprehended and hanged as a spy, his last words being, " I only 
regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." 

Hale, Nathan (1784-1863), editor of the Bostoti Daily Advertiser from 
1814 to 1863, was one of the founders of the Norlh American Review^ and 
was active in promoting industrial improvement. 

Half-breeds, a term applied in New York State, especially about 1880- 
1884, to those members of the Republican party who would not fully sup- 
port, first. General Grant's candidacy for a third term, and second, the 
svstem of the spoilsmen and machine politicians of their own party. (See 
"'stalwarts.") 

Half Cent, a copper coin, the coinage and issue of which were authorized 
by Congress in 1792. The weight of this coin was 132 grains, but this was 
changed to 104 grains when, in 1793, its coinage was again authorized. This 
coin was not issued during the years 1798, 1799, 1801, 1812 to 1824 inclusive, 
1827, 1830, 1837 to 1848 inclusive, and 1852. It was discontinued in 1857. 

Half Dollar, silver coin. Its coinage was authorized (at weight 208 
grains) in April, 1792, and begun in 1794. Its weight was reduced in 1853 
to 192 grains. This coin is a legal tender to the amount of ten dollars. 
There were no issues during the years 1798, 1799, 1800, 1816. 



286 Dictionary of United States History. 

Half Eagle, a gold coin of the value of five dollars, stamped upon the 
reverse with a figure of the national bird, and hence the name. Its coinage 
was authorized in 1792, and begun in 1795. The first return of gold coins 
was made July 31, 1795, 744 half eagles. Authorized a second time in 
1837; legal tender to an unlimited amount. No coinage 1816-17. 

Half-King, the name by which the English called a chieftain of Indians 
on the Ohio, friendly to the English, who assisted Washington on his expe- 
dition of 1753 and took part with him in the aSair of the Great Meadows in 

1754- 

" Half Moon," the vessel in which Henry Hudson, under the auspices of 
the East India Company, discovered and explored in 1609 the river which 
bears his name. 

Half-Pay Question. At the close of the Revolution it was the first care 
of Congress to cut down the expenses. April 26, 1778, by a majority of one 
State, half-pay had been voted for life to the officers as a means of keeping 
the anny together. In the four years following five different votes were 
passed, each annulling the former one. In 1782 it was proposed to remit 
the whole matter to the States. Finally in 1783, after the appearance of the 
Newburgh addresses, it was decided to commute the half-pay for life into 
five years' full pay in one gross sum, certificates to be issued therefor at six 
per cent. This measure was unpopular. 

Half-way Covenant, a concession made on the part of the Church by the 
New England Synod convened at Northampton in 1657, mainly in order to- 
secure a more facile working in relation to the State. The requirements for 
church membership were relaxed in order that certain civil privileges might 
be obtained by those who had neither the ability nor willingness to make 
profession of religious experience. Such persons were admitted on grounds 
of baptism, but were still denied the Lord's Supper. This half-way cove- 
nant aroused much controversy, and was later opposed by Jonathan Edwards 
and his followers. 

Halifax Commission. Under the provisions of the fisheries treaty of 
1871 between Great Britain and the United States, the fishermen of the latter 
country were allowed to take fish along the shores of Canada and New- 
foundland. The inhabitants of these States complained, and accordingly a 
commission of representatives from each countr\' met at Halifax, Nova Scotia, 
in 1877, to determine the amount of compensation to be paid by the United 
States for the fishing privileges accorded them. The sum of $5,500,000 was 
awarded Great Britain. 

Hall, Asaph, born in 1829, has been connected with all the astronomical 
observations of the U. S. Government since 1863. In 1877 he discovered 
the satellites of Mars, and has made important observations of double stars. 

Hall, Charles F. (1S21-1871), made Arctic expeditions fitted out by Henry 
Grinnell in i860 and 1864, and commanded a U. S. Government expedition 
to the polar region in 1871, making many valuable scientific observations. 



Dictionary of United States History. 287 

Hall, James, born in 1811, was given charge of the New York Geological 
Surveys from 1836 to 1841, was State Paleontologist from 1843 ^^ ^^79 ^^^'^ 
has made many valuable contributions to science. 

Hall, Lyman (i 725-1 790), a member of the Savannah Conventions of 
1774 and 1775, represented Georgia in the Continental Congress from 1775 
to 1780 and signed the Declaration of Independence. 

Hall, Nathan K. (1810-1874), represented New York in the U. S. Congress 
from 1847 to 1849 and was appointed Postmaster-General in Fillmore's 
Cabinet, serving from 1850 to 1853, when he became a U. S. District Judge, 
serving till 1874. 

Halleck, Fitz-Greene (1790-1867), writer, born in Connecticut, was a 
counting-room clerk from 181 1 to 1849. In partnership with J. R. Drake 
he published the "Croakers" in 1819. He wrote "Twilight," "Fanny," 
" Marco Bozzaris" and " Young America." He was a fluent writer with a 
brilliant and polished style. 

Halleck, Henry W. (181 5-1 87 2), born in New York, graduated at the 
U. S. Military Academy in 1839. He published " Elements of Military Art 
and Science" in 1846, which was a classic work at that time, and a treatise 
on " International Law." He was prominent in the military and political 
movements in California from 1846 to 1854, and in 1861 was appointed 
major-general of the U. S. army and assigned to the Department of Missouri, 
and successfully organized that district. In 1862 he received command of 
the Mississippi Department, and was soon after appointed commander-in- 
chief of the army, which position he retained until Grant was made lieutenant- 
general. After the war he commanded the Pacific Division until 1869, and 
the Division of the South from 1869 to 1872. 

Halpine, Charles G. (1829— 1868), connected with the Nezv York Herald^ 
Tribune and other periodicals from 1852, entered the army in 1861, became 
a major and composed the humorous work of " Miles O'Reilly." 

Halstead, Murat, born in 1829, was associated with numerous Ohio period- 
icals from 1851 to 1883, when he became editor of the Coimnercial Gazelle, 
a combination of his Commercial and the Cincinnali Gazctle. Subsequently 
he removed to New York. 

Hamilton, Alexander (January 11, 1757-July 12, 1804), Secretary of the 
Treasury, was born at Nevis in the West Indies. He was on the one side 
of Scottish, on the other of French birth. Deprived of parental care at an 
early age, he developed an astonishing precocity, and was in 1772 sent to 
New York City. There, after a short period of preparation, he entered 
King's (now Columbia) College. While the Revolutionary fever was at its 
height Hamilton, in July, 1774, made a public speech on the patriotic side, 
marvelous for a boy of seventeen. He followed up this success by a vigor- 
ous war of pamphlets. When hostilities began Hamilton organized a cavalry 
company and ser\'ed at Long Island and White Plains. As a member of 
Washington's staff he rendered valuable aid; resigning from membership in 
the staff in 1781 he ended a brilliant military career at Yorktown, studied 
law, and married the daughter of General Schuyler. For a short time, 



288 Dictionary of United States History. 

1782-17S3, he was in the Continental Congress. He had risen to eminence 
at the New York bar, when he took part in the Annapolis Convention of 
1786. There followed two years of contests and triumphs of the greatest 
renown to himself and moment to his country. Hamilton was one of the 
chief members of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He advocated a 
very strong central government, but accepted the results of that assembly, 
and returned to New York to further by pen and voice the ratification of 
our National Constitution. It is little exaggeration to say that Hamilton 
was practically the Federal party in New York. Of the eighty-five papers 
in the Federalist fifty-one are undisputedly his, and he had a part in the pro- 
duction of others. At the State ratifying Convention in 1788 at Pough- 
keepsie he contended almost single-handed against a two-thirds majority, 
which he converted into a minority. He entered Washington's Cabinet 
as Secretary of the Treasury in 1789. His report on the public credit, 
reports on revenue, the mint, the bank, manufactures, etc., were of the 
utmost value in placing the finances on a sound footing. Meanwhile within 
the Cabinet he was confronted with Jefferson, advocate of radically different 
ideas; the two great leaders quarreled almost incessantly, and Hamilton 
resigned in 1795. He had previously accompanied the army for the sup- 
pression of the Whiskey Insurrection. He defended Jay's Treaty with 
Great Britain in the able " Camillus " letters, and was concerned in the prepa- 
ration of Washington's Farewell Address. He was in 1798 appointed inspec- 
tor-general in view of the imminent war with France. But he quarreled 
with President Adams and intrigued against the latter and in favor of Pinck- 
ney. Hamilton and Burr had been political enemies; the latter, while Vice- 
President, brought on a duel at Weehawken, N. J., July 11, 1804, in which 
Hamilton was mortally wounded. He wrote, besides the papers mentioned 
above, the " Pacificus " letters, report on the public debt in 1789, etc. 
Hamilton was perhaps the most brilliant of American statesmen; his state 
papers were models of luminous and convincing argumentation; and he had 
an extraordinary genius for administrative organization. His weaknesses 
were, an imperious self-confidence, and want of popular sympathies. His 
works were edited by H. C. Lodge in 1885, who has also written Hamilton's 
biography. Other lives are by J. C. Hamilton and J. T. Morse, Jr. 

Hamilton, Andrew (1676-1741), emigrated from Scotland in 1697, was 
Attorney-General of Pennsylvania from 1717 to 1724, an Assemblyman from 
1729 to 1739, and in the " Zenger " libel suit first advanced the doctrine that 
in such cases evidence of the truth of the libel might be presented in 
defence. 

Hamilton, Paul (1762-1816), active in the Revolution, was Comptroller 
of South Carolina from 1799 to 1804, Governor from 1804 to 1806, and Secre- 
tary of the Navy in Madison's Cabinet from 1809 to 1813. 

Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., was founded by Presbyterians in 1793 
as Hamilton Oneida Academy, chartered as a college in 1812. Its law 
school was founded in 1854. 

Hamlet Case (1850), was the first recorded action under the Fugitive 
Slave Act of 1850. Hamlet, a free negro with a family, was arrested in New 



Dictionary of Unitkd States History. 2S9 

York by a Deputy U. S. Marshal as a fugitive slave of Maty Brown, of Balti- 
more, and after a hasty examination surrendered in accordance with the 
law. Indignation was aroused and he was finally redeemed. 

Hamlin, Hannibal (1809-1893), was admitted to the bar in 1833. He 
was a member of the Maine Legislature from 1836 to 1840 and in 1847, 
being chosen Speaker in 1837, 1839 and 1840. He was a Democratic Repre- 
sentative in Congress from 1842 to 1846, was elected a U. S. Senator in 
1848 and served till 1857. He changed his party afiiliation on account of 
anti-slavery sentiments, and was chosen Governor by the Republicans in 1857. 
He resigned and served in the U. S. Senate from 1857 ^o 1861, when he was 
elected Vice-President of the United States on the ticket with Abraham 
Lincoln, and was a member of the Senate from 1869 to 1881, when he was 
appointed Minister to Spain and served one year. 

Hammond, James H. (1807-1864), editor of the Soiitherii Times, a nullifi- 
cation paper, represented South Carolina in Congress from 1835 to 1836, was 
Governor of the State from 1842 to 1844, and a U. S. Senator from 1857 to 
1861, when he delivered the pro-slavery speech which won for him the name 
of " Mudsill Hammond." He published " The Pro-Slavery Argument " and 
" Sketch of the Life of Calhoun." 

Hampden-Sidney College, in Prince Edward County, Va., was founded 
as Prince Edward Academy, in 1776, by Presbyterians, and chartered as a 
college eight years later. Near by is the Presbyterian Union Theological 
Seminary, which was chartered in 1866. From 1837 to 1850 it had a 
medical school. 

Hampton, ^fJade (i 754-1 835), represented South Carolina in Congress 
from 1795 to 1797 and from 1803 to 1805, and commanded on the Northern 
frontier from 1813 to 1814. He owned 3000 slaves. 

Hampton, W^ade, born in 181 8, was in his early life successively a mem- 
ber of the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate. At the 
beginning of the Civil War he enlisted in the Confederate service and after- 
ward commanded a force known as Hampton's Legion of Cavalry, which 
distinguished itself at Bull Run, Seven Pines, Gettysburg and Trevillion's 
Station. He was very successful in raids and in detachment service. In 
1876 he was the Democratic candidate for Governor of South Carolina against 
D. H. Chamberlain and gained the disputed ofl5ce. He was elected to the 
U,. S. Senate in 1879 and served until 1891. 

Hampton, Va., was attacked out of revenge by Admiral Warren, after his 
defeat at Craney Island. A battery and 500 Virginia militia defended the 
village. Some 2500 British were landed, and soon drove the militia in 
defeat. The Americans lost thirty men, the British fifty. The village was 
then pillaged and several women outraged. Deep indignation was aroused 
on both sides of the sea, and an investigation was made by a British 
commission. 

Hampton Roads, Va., or the " Monitor" and " Merrimac" fight, the most 
famous naval battle of the Civil War, occurring March 8-9, 1862. March 8 

19 



290 Dictionary of United States History. 

the Confederate iron-clad " Merrimac," commanded by Franklin Buchanan, 
was sent to raise the blockade of James and Elizabeth rivers by destroying 
the Union war-vessels. The Union frigate " Cumberland " was utterly 
destroyed and sunk by the " Merrimac," which next, aided by three wooden 
Confederate steamers, attacked and burned the " Congress." March 9 the 
"Monitor," a Union iron-clad of a new type, appeared, and a fight of four 
hours followed. Captain Worden, of the " Monitor," was temporarily blinded 
and Lieutenant Greene took command. The " Merrimac " was finally com- 
pelled to withdraw. 

Hancock, John (1737-1793), bom in Massachusetts, was a member of the 
Massachusetts Legislature from 1766 to 1772. It was his ship, the " Liberty," 
which caused a riot when seized by the royal customs oflicials for an alleged 
evasion of the laws, and he was one of the commissioners who demanded the 
removal of the British troops after the Boston massacre. In 1774 he was 
elected to the Provincial Congress at Concord, Mass., and together with 
Samuel Adams, was exempted from pardon in Governor Gage's proclamation 
of 1775. He represented Massachusetts in the Continental Congress from 
1775 to 1780 and from 1785 to 1786, being chosen president from 1775 to 
1777, and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, his name stand- 
ing first upon that document. In 1776 he was commissioned major-general 
of the Massachusetts militia, and in 1780 commanded the State troops in the 
expedition against Rhode Island. He was a delegate to the Massachusetts 
Constitutional Convention of 1780, and was Governor of the State from 1780 
to 1785 and from 1787 to 1792, and in the Presidential election of 1789 
received four electoral votes. He was a man of strong and popular character, 
of courtly and pleasing manner and liberally used his large fortune for benev- 
olent purposes. 

Hancock, Winfield S. (1824-1886), born in Pennsylvania, graduated from 
the U. S. Military Academy in 1S44. He was brevetted first lieutenant for 
gallantry at Contreras and Churubusco during the Mexican War. He was 
appointed brigadier-general of volunteers in 1861, and joined the Army of 
the Potomac. He served under General McClellan in the Peninsular cam- 
paign, commanding at Yorktown, Williamsburg and Savage's Station, and 
was promoted colonel U. S. army for his meritorious service. He led his 
brigade at South Mountain and Antietam, commanded as major-general at 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and was prominent at the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. In 1865 he received 
command of the Army of the Shenandoah, and in 1866 was made a major- 
general in the regular army. He was the Presidential candidate of the 
Democratic party in 1880, but was defeated by James A. Garfield. General 
Grant said of him, " Hancock stands the most conspicuous figure of all the 
general officers who did not exercise a separate command. He commanded 
a corps longer than any other one, and his name was never mentioned as 
having committed in battle a blunder for which he was responsible." 

Hanging Rock, Battle of, August 6, 17S0. At this place General Sumter 
sui-prised the British post. The Tory regiment fled, and its panic was communi- 
cated to the British regulars. At the outset no American had more than teu 



Dictionary of United States History. 291 

bullets, but before the close of the engagement they armed themselves from 
the dead and wounded. Among those engaged was Andrew Jackson. This 
success strengthened the patriot cause in all parts of South Carolina. 

Hanover. Commercial treaties were concluded between the United States 
and Hanover in 1840, 1846 and 1861, and an extradition treaty January 18, 
1855. All are now obsolete. 

Hanover Court House, Va., an engagement. May 27, 1862, between the 
rear ranks of Porter's column of McClellan's army and a Confederate brigade 
commanded by Branch. The latter attacked Morell's division with consider- 
able success, but Porter, hearing the firing, immediately wheeled and came 
to the rescue. The Confederates retreated rapidly, leaving a large number 
of prisoners and small arms. 

Hanseatic Republics. A convention of friendship, commerce and navi- 
gation was concluded between the United States and the Free Hanseatic 
Republics of L,iibeck, Bremen and Hamburg in 1827, and a consular conven- 
tion in 1852. (See Bremen.) 

Hard Cider. (See Log Cabin.) 

Hardee, William J. (1817-1873), born in Georgia, was brevetted major 
and lieutenant-colonel for gallant conduct in the Mexican War. In 1856 he 
produced a work for the Government on the tactics of infantry, known as 
"Hardee's Tactics." In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service as a 
colonel at Fort Morgan, and was soon afterward made brigadier-general. He 
gained a success at Shiloh, was prominent in the campaign about Murfrees- 
boro, and fought at Chattanooga. He surrendered with General Johnston's 
anny at Durham Station in 1865. 

Hards, in the political history of New York, a faction of the Democratic 
party, existent from 1852 to i860, which inclined to alliance with the pro- 
slavery Democracy elsewhere, as distinguished from the "softs." In part 
the " hards " or " hardshells " were identical with the " hunkers " of preceding 
years. 

Harlan, James, born in 1820, represented Iowa in the U. S. Senate from 
1855 to 1865, when he became Secretary of the Interior in Lincoln's Cabinet, 
serving until 1866. He was again a U. S. Senator from 1866 to 1873. 

Harlan, John M., born in 1833, served in the Union army from 1861 to 
1867, was Attorney-General of Kentucky from 1863 to 1867, was a member 
of the Louisiana Commission appointed by Hayes, and became a Justice of 
the U. S. Supreme Court in 1877. In 1893 he was a member of the Court 
of Arbitration on the Behring Sea dispute. 

Harlem Plains, a battle in the Revolutionar>' War, on September 16, 1776. 
Just after Howe's occupation of New York his advanced guard of English 
and Highland troops, under Colonel Leslie, came into conflict with some 
troops of Virginia under Major Leitch, and of Connecticut under Knowlton. 
Both sides were reinforced. Knowlton, attempting to flank the British, was 
killed. The Americans retreated, under orders from Washington, with a 
loss of sixty killed and wounded. 



2g2 Dictionary of United States History. 

Harmar, Josiah (1753-1813), born in Philadelphia, served during the 
Revolutionar>' War, attaining the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was com- 
mander-in-chief of the U. S. army from 1789 to 1792. 

Harmonists, a socialistic community founded upon a religious basis by 
George Rapp, of Wiirttemberg, in the Connoquenessing Valley, twenty-five 
miles from Pittsburgh, in 1803. There they built houses, churches, mills 
and manufactories, and by 1805 there were 750 persons settled there who 
formed the Harmony Society. After two years they decided to adopt celibacy, 
and prohibited the use of tobacco. This caused the withdrawal of certain of 
their people. In 1814 the Harmonists purchased 30,000 acres of land in Posey 
County, Indiana, settling there in 1815. There they remained until 1824, 
calling their settlement " Harmony." In 1824 they removed to their present 
location, on the Ohio River, not far from Pittsburgh. In 1831, a German 
adventurer, Bemhard Miiller, settling among them, caused dissensions and a 
split in the society. Their numbers have decreased to less than 200. 

Harnett, Cornelius (1723-1781), was prominent in the North Carolina 
Provincial Assembly from 1770 to 1771, aided in drafting a State Constitu- 
tion in the Provincial Congress at Halifax in 1776 and served in Congress 
from 1777 to 1780. 

Harney, William S. (1800-1889), joined the U. S. army in 1818, was 
brevetted major-general in 1865 for long and faithful service, and at the 
time of his death was the oldest officer in the U. S. army. 

Harper, Robert Goodloe (i 765-1 825), born in Virginia, was admitted to 
the bar in 1786. He represented South Carolina in the U. S. Congress from 
1795 to 1801, was promoted major-general for services in the War of 1812, 
and was elected a U. S. Senator from Maryland in 1816. He published 
various pamphlets upon diplomatic subjects of the day which won great 
popularity. 

Harper, William R., born in 1856, and editor of Hebraica and the Old 
Testament Stiidotl, was professor of Semitic languages at Yale from 1886 to 
1891, when he was chosen president of Chicago University. 

Harper's Ferry, Va. In July, 1859, John Brown settled near Harper's 
Ferry and began, with the aid of some Kansas associates, the forcible libera- 
tion of slaves. October 17 he seized, with seventeen whites and five negroes, 
the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, and spent the next eighteen 
hours in freeing slaves, cutting telegraph wires, preparing defences and 
making prisoners of fifty white men. October 18, 1500 militia and marines 
arrived. They surrounded the armory engine house, burst open the door 
and captured Brown, three other whites and half a dozen negroes. Eight of 
the insurgents were killed. Brown was taken to Charlestown, Va., and 
there hanged, December 2, 1859. 

Harper's Ferry, Va. (1862), was in possession of the Union troops, and 
captured by Stonewall Jackson September 15. The Union leaders, IMiles and 
White, held the town with 11,000 men. IMiles had posted a few regiments 
upon the heights commanding the town, but these were easily driven away 



Dictionary of United States History. 293 

by McLaws, while Jackson approached and bombarded the town, which sur- 
rendered as he was about to attack it. Miles was mortally wounded. The 
garrison was captured. 

" Harper's Magazine," founded in 1850 by the Harper Brothers. It was 
originally an eclectic magazine containing the choicest contributions to Eng- 
lish periodicals. This purely eclectic character was soon abandoned, and 
nearly every contemporaneous American and English writer of note has 
contributed to its pages. 

Harris, Isham G., bom in Tennessee in 1818, devoted his evenings to the 
study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. He was elected to the 
Legislature of Tennessee from 1849 to 1853, and served as Governor of the 
State from 1857 until the occupation of Tennessee by the national army. 
He was an aide on General Johnston's staff, and served in the West through- 
out the war. He was elected a U. S. Senator in 1877, and has served until 
the present time (1897). 

Harris, Joel Chandler, born in Georgia in 1848, was admitted to the bar 
and is editor of the Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution. He is the author of " Uncle 
Remus, His Songs and Sayings," and other stories of Southern life. 

Harris, William T., born in 1835, founder and editor of i\\& Journal 0/ 
Speculative Philosophy, is prominent in educational circles, and from 1889 to 
1893 was chief of the U. S. Bureau of Education. 

Harrisburg, Pa., capital of the State since 181 2. The town was laid out 
in 1785 and called Louisbourg. In 1791 it was incorporated under its pres- 
ent name. It became a city in i860. 

Harrisburg Convention. In 1827 a high tariff bill, known as the 
" Woolen Bill," was introduced into Congress by Clay and his adherents. 
It passed the House, but was defeated in the Senate by the casting vote of 
the Vice-President. Accordingly the protectionist faction, in 1S28, called a 
convention at Harrisburg. The delegates were chiefly from New England 
and the Middle States. The convention presented the cause of protection 
to the people, and decided to seek an increased duty, not only on woolens, 
but on other specified articles of manufacture. This resulted in the passage 
of the high tariff bill of 1828. 

Harrison, Benjamin (1740-1791), born in Virginia, was a member of the 
House of Burgesses in 1764, a member of the Correspondence Committee in 
1773, and a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1778. From 
1778 to 1782 he was Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses, and 
ardently advocated united opposition to Great Britain. He was Governor 
of the State from 1782 to 1784, and when a delegate to the State Conven- 
tion of 1788 opposed the ratification of the Constitution as being a national 
and not a Federal document. 

Harrison, Benjamin, born August 20, 1833, twenty-third President of the 
United States, was the grandson of President William Henry Harrison, and 
was born at North Bend, Ohio. He was graduated at IMiami University in 
1852, and settled as a lawyer in Indianapolis. He was elected reporter of the 



294 Dictionary of United States History. 

Indiana Supreme Court in i860, but his term was interrupted by the war. 
He vohinteered in 1862 and was colonel of an Indiana regiment; in the 
battles of Resaca and Peach Tree Creek in 1864 he won distinction. Leaving 
the army with the brevet of brigadier-general, he resumed his position of 
Supreme Court reporter. General Harrison was a successful lawyer and 
campaign orator, and in 1876 he received the Republican nomination for 
Governor, being defeated by a small majority. His name was presented to 
the Republican National Convention of 1880. Elected to the U. S. Senate, 
he served from 1881 to 1887. At the National Convention of 1888 he was 
a leading candidate from the start, received the nomination, and was elected 
over President Cleveland in a campaign in which protection was the prin- 
cipal issue. In his Cabinet, Blaine in the State and Windom in the 
Treasury Department were national figures. Proctor, and later Elkins, was 
in the War Department, B. F. Tracy in the Navy, Noble in the Interior, 
Rusk Secretar}- of Agriculture, Miller Attorney-General, and Wanamaker 
Postmaster-General. The administration was marked politically by the 
McKinley Tariff Act in 1890, with the attendant feature of reciprocity, the 
foreign relations with Chili and Hawaii were matters of interest. In 1892 
the President was a candidate for renomination, and received the gift over 
his powerful rival, Blaine, who resigned from the Cabinet during the contest. 
President Harrison was in the election again confronted with Cleveland. 
The Democratic reaction, very marked in 1890, proved to be still in force, 
and the President was defeated and retired from ofl&ce in 1893. 

Harrison, Caroline Lavinia (Scott), born in Ohio, became the wife of 
Benjamin Harrison in 1854, and was a worthy and willing helpmeet in the 
struggles and perplexities of his career. She died during his Presidency, in 
1892. 

Harrison, William Henry (February 9, 1773-April 4, 1841), ninth Presi- 
dent of the United States, was born in Virginia, and was son of Benjamin 
Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was educated at 
Hampden Sidney College, entered the army, and fought at Wayne's victory 
of 1794. In 1798 he became Secretary of the Northwest Territor}-, and in 
1799 delegate to Congress. In 1800 he was appointed Governor of the new 
Indiana Territory. He was still Governor when the Indian outbreak 
occurred, and his victory at Tippecanoe, November 7, 1811, gave to him a 
national reputation and an epithet for life. In the War of 181 2 he was 
major-general, first of Kentucky militia, and then in the regular army. He 
defended Fort Meigs against the British in 1813, and on October 5 of the 
same year he achieved his second noted military exploit by defeating Proctor 
and Tecumseh at the battle of the Thames. General Harrison resigned 
from the army in 1814. From 1816 to 1819 he was Congressman, from 
1825 to 1828 U. S. Senator, and U. S. Minister to the United States of 
Colombia 1828-1829. As the Whig candidate for President in 1836 he was 
defeated by Van Buren. In December, 1839, the Whig Convention put 
Harrison again before the country,', and Van Buren was again his antagonist. 
The campaign of 1840 was without precedent or successor. The " log cabin 
and hard cider " charged by his opponents against his early record, became a 
tower of strength to him ; a " campaign ball " was set rolling across the 



Dictionary of United States History. 295 

country; and " Tippecanoe and Tyler too " were fairly " sung into the White 
House." In his Cabinet Webster as Secretary of State was the ablest mem- 
ber. Fatigue and exposure and importunities of office-seekers caused his 
death after a month of service, — the first death of a President while in 
office. General Harrison, though by no means brilliant, was an able admin- 
istrator, and a man of good sense. 

Harrison, Fort, Ind., a small fort, commanded by Captain Zachary Taylor 
with fifty men, attacked September 5, 181 2, by Indians and partly burned. 
The fort was saved by reinforcements with the loss of only three men. 

Harrison, Fort, Va., wrested from the Confederates by a small detach- 
ment of Grant's Federal army, September 28, 1864, during the campaign in 
the vicinities of Richmond and Petersburg. 

Harrodsburg, Ky., the oldest town in the State. The first cabin was built 

here in 1774 by Captain James Harrod. 

Hart, John (1708-1780), known as " Honest John Hart," represented New 
York in the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1777, signed the Declaration 
of Independence, and in 1777-1778 was chairman of the New York Com- 
mittee of Safety. 

Harte, Francis Bret, born in New York in 1839, was associated with the 
San Francisco Golden Era in 1857, edited for a short time the Californian^ 
and in 1868 established the Overland Monthly. He has mostly written 
sketches of American frontier life. From 1880 to 1885 he was U. S. Consul 
at Glasgow. 

Hartford, Conn., was settled in 1635 by emigrants from eastern Massa- 
chusetts, under the lead of Thomas Hooker. The Constitution for the colony, 
the first framed in America, was written here in 1639. It became the capital 
of the colony. In 1687 Sir E. Andros demanded the charter from the 
assembly in session in the city, but it was concealed, it is said, in the " Charter 
Oak." Trinity College was founded in Hartford in 1823. 

Hartford, Convention at. In November, 1780, a convention of delegates 
from all the Northern States was held at Hartford, which sought methods of 
furnishing men and supplies for continuing the War of Independence. They 
passed resolutions in favor of a better financial system and a stronger Federal 
government. 

Hartford Convention met at Hartford, Conn., December 15, 1S14, 
and adjourned January 5, 1815. It consisted of delegates from Massachu- 
setts, Connecticut and Rhode Island and was the outgrowth of the opposi- 
tion of the New England Federalists to the war with Great Britain which 
was then in progress and which was especially injurious to the commercial 
interests of New England. The New England States strongly denounced 
the policy of the Democratic administration in the conduct of the war, 
especially in respect to forcible drafts. The convention was held in secret 
and a report was falsely circulated that it looked toward a dissolution of the 
Union. The general aim of the convention seems to have been to propose 
certain reforms in the direction of States' rights. Its proceedings brought 
upon the New England Federalists great odium. 



296 Dictionary of United States History. 

Hartranft, John F. (1830-18S9), entered the army in 1861, had commands 
at Roanoke, Antietam and Fredericksburg, was brigadier-general at the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Petersburg and brevetted major-general in 
1865. He was Governor of Pennsylvania from 1872 to 1878. 

Harvard, John (1607— 1638), was born in London, England. He was 
ordained a clergj'man, but, being a Puritan, emigrated to New England in 
1637 and became a freeman of the Massachusetts colony. At his death he 
bequeathed half of his property or about 750 pounds, and his entire library 
of 320 volumes, to the college which bears his name. 

Harvard University, the oldest college in the United States, at Cambridge, 
Mass. It was founded in 1636, and chartered in 1650 by the General Court. 
In 1638 it was named after Rev. John Harvard, who left it probably ^750. 
Its first class, consisting of nine, was graduated in 1642. It received State 
aid, in addition to private benefactions, till 1814, but its official connection 
with the commonwealth continued till 1865, after which time the control of 
the university was vested in its alumni. Besides its academic department it 
has schools of theology, law, medicine, science and dental surgery, founded 
respectively in 1819, 1817, 1782, 1848 and 1868. 

Hatcher's Run, Va., scene of two severe engagements during the Civil 
War, while Grant and Lee were manoeuvring about Richmond and Peters- 
burg. October 27, 1864, Grant endeavored to force a passage of Hatcher's 
Run and move against the South Side Railroad. Finding no assailable point 
in the Confederate lines he decided to withdraw, when suddenly the Con- 
federates fell furiously upon Hancock's rear ranks. Hancock turned and 
drove them back to their fortifications. From February 5 to 7, 1865, there 
was also some severe fighting about Hatcher's Run between Hancock, who 
was endeavoring to push the Federal lines to that stream, and the Con- 
federates under Gordon and Hill. Hancock was successful. 

Hatteras Inlet, N. C, location of two Confederate forts commanded by 
Samuel Barron, and deemed a valuable passage for landing the ammunition 
and supplies of the Confederacy, and for sending cotton out of the country. 
General Butler and Commodore Stringham fitted out an expedition against 
these forts, Clark and Hatteras, and sailed from Hampton Roads August 26, 
1 86 1, with ten vessels carrying 158 guns and 900 men. Fort Clark, the 
weaker position, was speedily reduced, August 27, by the guns of the Federal 
ships " Minnesota," " Wabash " and " Susquehanna," and Hatteras was 
captured after protracted bombardment the next day. Barron and 700 Con- 
federates were made prisoners. 

Hatton, Frank (1846-1894), was Assistant Postmaster-General from 1881 
to 1884, when he was made Postmaster-General in Arthur's Cabinet, being 
the youngest officer ever in a U. S. Cabinet except Alexander Hamilton. 

Havemeyer, William F. (i 804-1 874), mayor of New York City from 1845 
to 1851, and from 1872 to 1874, was president of the Bank of North America 
from 1851 to 1861, and ver>' prominent in the overthrow of the Tweed ring. 

Haverford College, Pa., was founded by the Friends in 1833. 



Dictionary of United States History. 297 

Haw, Battle of the, February 25, 1781. About 400 loyalists had col- 
lected near the Haw. Henry Lee, by passing for Tarleton's force, got 
among them. The trick was discovered and a hot fight followed in which 
ninety loyalists were slain and many wounded. Lee's loss was light. 

Hawaii. A treaty of commerce and for the extradition of criminals was 
concluded between the United States and Hawaii in 1849, and a reciprocity 
treaty in 1875, extended by the Convention of 1887. Treaty rights were 
further confirmed by Act of Congress in 1891. The coup cPetat of January, 
1893, deposed the queen and established a republic, which immediately 
asked for annexation by the United States. An annexation treaty was con- 
cluded February 14, 1893, providing for the cession to the United States of 
all rights of sovereignty in the Hawaiian Islands and their dependencies; for 
reference to the U. S. Congress of all questions of administration, the pro- 
visional government meanwhile to continue under United States guidance; 
for the assumption by the United States of the Hawaiian debt to the limit 
of $3,250,000; for the regulation of Chinese immigration; and for the support 
of deposed royalty. The close of the session of Congress prevented its rati- 
fication by th^t body, and the incoming administration proving hostile to the 
treaty it remains still unratified (Alay, 1894). 

Hawkins, Sir John (i 520-1 595), an Elizabethan navigator who was 
engaged in the West India slave trade. His first voyage was made in 1562. 
In 1565 he captured a cargo of slaves in Guinea and traded along the coast 
c^' Florida. His last voyage was made in 1567 with Sir Francis Drake. 
He was knighted in 1588 for services against the Spanish Annada. 

Hawks, Francis L. (i 798-1 866), of North Carolina, for a time a success- 
ful lawyer, entered the Episcopal ministry and became eminent in his pro- 
fession. He is the author of numerous political and ecclesiastical works, 
and of a history of North Carolina. 

Hawley, Joseph R., born in 1826, was admitted to the Connecticut bar 
in 1850. In 1857 he became editor of the Hartford Evening P>-ess, which 
advanced the interests of the Republican party. He was the first Connec- 
ticut volunteer in the Civil War, enlisted as a captain, and was mustered out 
as brevet major-general in 1865. In 1866 he was elected Governor of Con- 
necticut, and in 1868 was president of the National Republican Convention, 
in that of 1872 secretary' of the Committee on Resolutions and its chainnan 
in 1876. He was a U. S. Congressman from 1872 to 1881, when he was 
chosen Senator, serving until the present time (189/). He is a pleasing 
speaker and a strong Republican. 

Hawthorne, Nathaniel (1804-1864), was born at Salem, Mass. He con- 
tributed his early productions to periodicals such as the New England Maga- 
zine, the Atnerican Magazine, the Democratic Review and the Token. In 
1837 appeared his " Twice Told Tales," and in 1849 he published the 
" Scarlet Letter," which at once brought him into prominence. In 1853 he 
was appointed Consul at Liverpool by President Pierce, and served until 
1857. He is the greatest romance-writer that America has produced. 



298 Dictionary of United States History. 

Hay, John, born in 1838, was assistant secretary to President Ivincoln in 
1 86 1. He served several months in the Civil War, and from 1865 to 1867 
was secretary of legation to Paris, charge d'affaires at Vienna until 1868, 
and secretary at Madrid until 1870. He became associated with the New 
York Tribune, and from 1879 to 1881 was First Assistant Secretary of State. 
He is widely known for his dialect sketches and poems, and for Nicolay and 
Hay's life of Lincoln. 

Hayburn vs. State. Attorney-General Randolph in 1792 moved that the 
Supreme Court issue a mandamus to the Circuit Court of Pennsylvania to 
admit Hayburn of that State to the United States pension list. Randolph 
declared he made the motion ex officio with a view to seeing the provisions 
of the Act of Congress of March 23, 1792, relating to pensions, executed. 
The court would not allow this, so he next pleaded the merits of the case. 
Judgment was postponed and never given, since the Act of Congress of 1793 
provided for pensioners in another way. Whether the Act of 1792 was con- 
stitutional was not decided by the court; but the judges were individually 
of that opinion, and this gives the case a certain importance, being a very 
early one, among those involving such considerations. 

Hayden, Ferdinand V. (1829-1887), born in Massachusetts, was a surgeon 
in the Civil War. He has superintended geological and geographical surveys 
of the territories of the United States, and has published valuable and exten- 
sive reports. 

Hayes, Isaac I. (1832-1881), made three voyages of exploration to the 
Arctic regions, served as surgeon during the Civil War, and was a member 
of the New York Assembly from 1865 to 1870. 

Hayes, Lucy Ware (Webb), married President R. B. Hayes in 1852, was 
renowned for her sympathetic devotion to the soldiers wounded in the Civil 
War, and for her efforts, while occupying the White House, to promote the 
interests of temperance and other good causes. 

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (October 4, 1822-January 17, 1893), nine- 
teenth President of the United States, was born at Delaware, O., and graduated 
at Kenyon College in 1842. He practiced law in Fremont, O., and became 
city solicitor in Cincinnati. On the outbreak of the war he volunteered, and 
rose from major of Ohio infantry to brigadier-general and brevet major- 
general. He was wounded at the battle of South Mountain, and distin- 
guished himself in the Shenandoah campaign of 1864 at Winchester, 
Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. He entered Congress in 1865, and, having 
been elected Governor of his State, he occupied that position from 1868 to 
1872. He was defeated for Congressman in 1872, but elected C^ovemor in 
1875 on the " honest money " issue, after a campaign which attrac tea national 
attention. It was this success which caused Governor Hayes' name to be 
presented to the Republican National Convention of 1876. The two leading 
candidates, Blaine and Bristow, were set aside, and Hayes was nominated on 
the seventh ballot. (For the doubtful result and final settlement of this 
extraordinary Hayes-Tilden campaign, see Electoral Commission.) Mr. 
Hayes was declared elected March 2, 1877, and inaugurated March 5. He 



J^x 




STATESMEN OF THE MIDDLE PERIOD. 



Thomas H. Benton. Robert Winthrop 

Stephen A. Douglas. Edward Everett. 

S.las Wrrght. 

John C. Caihour. Daniel i/Vebster. 

Henry Clay. W. L. Marcy. 



Dictionary of United States History. 299 

^c.ected Evarts for the State Department, Sherman for the Treasury, McCrary 
for War, R. W. Thompson for the Navy, Schurz for the Interior, Devens 
Attorney-General and D. M. Key Postmaster-General. During his adminis- 
tration occurred the great railroad strikes of 1877, and the resumption of 
specie payments in 1879. President Hayes favored civil service reform, a 
conciliatory policy in the South, vetoed the Bland bill and vetoed a Chinese 
restriction bill. After the close of his term, in 1881, he lived in retirement 
in Ohio. 

Haymarket Massacre (Chicago), an Anarchist riot, originating in labor 
troubles which culminated in an open-air meeting in Haymarket Square 
May 4, 1886. Violent speeches were made by the Anarchists Spies, Parsons 
and Fielden. A bomb was thrown among the police, causing great loss of 
life. Spies, Parsons, Fischer, Engel, Schwab, Lingg and Neebe were arrested 
^nd tried. The first four were hanged November 11, 1887. Fielden and 
Schwab were imprisoned for life. lyingg committed suicide. Governor 
Altgeld, of Illinois, pardoned Fielden and Schwab in 1893. 

Hayne, Isaac (1745-1781), born in South Carolina, entered the colonial 
army at the outbreak of the Revolution, and when the British took posses- 
sion of Charleston in 1780 was paroled. In 1781 he made an incursion 
against the British, was pursued by a superior force and taken prisoner. 
He was sentenced to death by the British without a trial and hanged. 

Hayne, Paul H. (1830-1886), " The Laureate of the South," editor of 
numerous periodicals, exerted a powerful influence upon the literary life of 
the South, and published a great number of poems. 

Hayne, Robert Young (1791-1839), served during the War of 1812, and 
was a member of the South Carolina Legislature from 1814 to 1818, in which 
year he was Speaker. From 1818 to 1822 he was Attorney-General of the 
•State, and in 1823 '^^^^ sent to the U. S. Senate, where he strenuously opposed 
the protective system, denying its constitutionality. He asserted that under 
the Constitution a State had the right to arrest the operation of such Federal 
enactments as she considered unconstitutional. This led to the famous 
debate between Webster and Hayne in 1830, respecting State rights and 
nullification. He was chairman of the State Convention in 1832, which 
reported the celebrated ordinance of nullification, and was Governor of 
South Carolina from 1832 to 1834, when that State prepared to enforce the 
nullification ordinance and make armed resistance against the Federal 
authority; but the tariff" bill of Henry Clay compromised the difficulties. 
Hayne was a brilliant speaker. 

Hays, Alexander (1819-1864), enlisted in the Civil War as a colonel in the 
Maryland campaign, fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, was bre- 
vetted colonel U. S. A., and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. 

Hayti. It was not until November 3, 1864, that a treaty of amity, com- 
merce and navigation, and for the extradition of criminals, was concluded 
between the two nations. The attitude of the United States up to that 
time toward this negro republic was fixed by considerations growing out of 
the slavery question. 



300 Dictionary of United States History. 

Hayward, a town officer appointed in the early New England colonies to 
look after hedges and boundaries of private property and prevent encroach- 
• ment. Also his office was akin to that of the impounder and commou 
driver. 

Hazelwood, John (1726?— 1800?), born in England, was a commodore in 
the Pennsylvania navy in 1776, and while commander of the State navy in 
1777 and of the Continental vessels on the Delaware River, became promi- 
nent for skill and success. 

Hazen, William B. (i 830-1887), commanded in the Mexican War, led a 
brigade at Shiloh, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, was promoted major- 
general, and was afterward prominent in the Signal Service, of which he 
was chief from 1880 to 1887. 

Headley, Joel T., born in 1813, became an assistant editor of the Nem 
York Tribune in 1846, and has written numerous popular works of history 
and biography, including a life of Washington. Died 1897. 

Heath, William (1737-1814), was chosen captain of the Suffijlk regiment 
before the Revolution, and commanded the Boston artillery in 1770. He 
was a Massachusetts Assemblyman in 1761 and from 1771 to 1774, and a 
member of the Committee of Safety and of the Provincial Congress from 
1774 to 1775. He was made brigadier-general in 1774 for meritorious ser- 
vices, and was promoted major-general in 1775. He was a member of the 
convention which ratified the Constitution, was a State Senator from 1791 
to 1792, and a probate judge from 1793. 

Heintzelman, Samuel P. (1805-1880), graduated at West Point, served as 
a captain in the Mexican War, and was brevetted major for bravery. He 
was commissioned colonel in the Civil War, and afterward commanded as 
brigadier-general at Alexandria, Bull Run, Yorktown, Williamsburg and 
Fair Oaks, and in 1863 commanded the Northern Department. He was 
retired in 1869 with the full rank of major-general U. S. A. 

Heister, Leopold Philip von (1707-1777), Hessian lieutenant-general and 
commander of all the Hessians in America, landed at Long Island in com- 
mand of two Hessian brigades in 1776, and aided the British against the 
colonies at that place and at White Plains. In 1777 he was recalled, at the 
desire of Howe. 

Helena, capital of Montana, was settled in 1864. 

Helena, Mo., fortified and occupied by 4500 Federals under Prentiss in 
1863. The Confederates, Holmes, Price and Marmaduke, assaulted this 
position July 4 with 8000 soldiers. Charge after charge was made, but all 
proved ineff"ectual. The National batteries inflicted terrible losses upon the 
assaulting troops. Holmes ordered a retreat about noon, having lost fully 
twenty per cent of his army. 

Helper, Hinton R., born in 1829, author of "The Impending Crisis of the 
South," a book which, in the anti-slaven,- struggles just before the war, made 
a profound impression, as presenting the views of the non-slaveholding whites 
of the South. He was U. S. Consul at Buenos Ayres from 1861 to 1867. 



Dictionary of United States History. 301 

Helps, Sir Arthur (1817-1875), is the English author of "Conquerors of 
the New World and Their Bondsmen," " The Spanish Conquest in America 
and its Relation to the Historj' of Slavery," and lives of Columbus, Pizarro 
and Cortez. 

Henderson, John B., born in 1826, was a member of the Missouri Legis- 
lature in 1S48 and 1856, and while a U. S. Senator from 1863 to 1869 was 
one of the Republicans who opposed the impeachment of President Johnson. 

Henderson, Richard (i 734-1 785), a Judge in the North Carolina Supreme 
Court in 1769, organized the "Transylvania Land Company" in 1775, and 
established a government over that Western region, but was declared guilty 
of an infringement of the rights of Virginia by the Legislature of that 
State. 

Henderson, Thomas J., born in 1824, was a member of the Illinois 
Legislature from 1855 to i860, was brevetted brigadier-general in 1865 for 
services in the Civil War, and was a U. S. Congressman from 1875 to the 
present time (1894). 

Hendrick (i68o?-i755), a Mohawk chief who represented the Six Nations 
at a treaty congress in 1754 at Albany, and who faithfully aided the British 
against the French. 

Hendricks, Thomas A. (1819-1885), was admitted to the bar in 1843. 
He was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1848, and became 
a State Senator in 1849. In 1850 he was chosen a member of the conven- 
tion to revise the State Constitution, and represented Indiana in the Congress 
of the United States from 1851 to 1855. He was appointed by President 
Pierce Commissioner of the General Land Office, serving from 1855 to 1859, 
and from 1863 to 1869 was a U. S. Senator. He was Governor of Indiana 
from 1872 to 1877, and in 1876 was the Democratic candidate for Vice-Presi- 
dent of the United States on the ticket with Samuel J. Tilden. He was the 
unanimous choice of the Democratic party for Vice-President in 1884, and 
was elected on the ticket with Grover Cleveland for President, but died 
during his first year of office. 

Hening's Statutes, the first complete collection ever published of the 
laws of any colony and State, with inclusion of those obsolete and repealed. 
Hening's " Statutes at Large of Virginia " was published, beginning in 1809, 
by W. W. Heuing, largely at the instance of President Jefi"erson. It is of 
great value as a source of history. (13 vols.) 

Hennepin, Louis (i640?-i70i), a missionary of the Order of Recollets 
of St. Francis, was bom in Belgium. He came to Canada in 1673, and 
founded a convent at Fort Frontenac in 1676. He accompanied La Salle's 
expedition to the West and to the Niagara and the Upper Lakes in 1678, 
and constructed Fort Crevecceur in Illinois. Hennepin and his followers 
proceeded down the Mississippi until captured by the Sioux in 1680. On 
his return to Europe he published his " Description de la Louisiane nouvelle- 
ment decouverte au sud-ouest de la Nouvelle France," and in 1697 his 
" Nouvelle decouverte d'un tres-grand pays situe dans TAmerique, entre le 
Nouveau-Mexique et la mer Glaciale." He claimed to be the first to descend 
to the mouth of the Mississippi, but this is open to dispute. 



302 Dictionary of United States History. 

Henry VII. (1457-1509), King of England from 1485 to 1509, granted 
on March 5, 1495, to John Cabot, his three sons, their heirs and assigns, a 
patent for the discovery of unknown lands in the Eastern, Western and 
Northern seas, with a right to occupy such territories and to have exclusive 
commerce with them, paying to the king one-fifth part of all the profits. 
The enterprise was to be " at their own proper cost and charge." In his 
book of private expenses for 1497 there is an item, "To him that found the 
new isle, ^10," no doubt referring to Cabot. 

Henry, John. In 1809 John Henry was sent by Sir John Craig, Governor 
of British North America, to report upon the state of affairs |and political 
feeling in the New England States. Hoping for a reward, Henry painted 
the New England disaffection to the Union in very high colors in all his 
correspondence with Craig. Failing of his reward he returned to the United 
States and sold, in 181 2, the whole correspondence to President Madison. 
The latter sent the documents to Congress in the belief that they proved an 
attempt on Great Britain's part to annex New England. Nothing of the sort 
was proved. 

Henry, Joseph (i 797-1 878), physicist, made highly valuable contributions 
to science, particularly in the line of electricity, magnetism and meteorology. 
He was director of the Smithsonian Institute. 

Henry, Patrick (May 29, 1736-June 6, 1799), was born in Hanover County, 
Va. He failed in fanning and trading, and started his career as a lawyer, 
with somewhat slender equipment, in 1760. He attracted attention by a 
noted speech in 1763, and in 1765 he entered the House of Burgesses and 
uttered his famous arraignment of the Stamp Act. He was a leader in 
organizing the committees of correspondence, and was a delegate to the first 
Continental Congress. In 1775 occurred his "liberty or death" speech, and 
he was active in the beginning of hostilities as a colonel and commander of 
Virginia troops. He took the lead in organizing the Virginia State Govern- 
ment, and was its first Governor, being elected in 1776, 1777 and 1778, and 
in 1784 and 1785. His jealousy of State privileges and devotion to 
democracy led him to oppose the Federal Constitution of 1787. He was 
the Anti-Federalist leader in the State, and was prominent in the ratifying 
convention of 1788. For a short time, 1 794-1 795, he was U. S. Senator, 
was finally a Federalist, and was for many years a member of the Virginia 
Legislature. Patrick Henry was noted for eloquence, but did not in con- 
structive statesmanship compare with some of the other great Virginians. 
His life has been recently written by William Wirt Henr>'. There are other 
lives by Wirt and M. C. Tyler. 

Henry, Cape, Va., named in April, 1607, by Admiral Newport, in honor 
of Henry, Prince of Wales, son of James I. of England. 

Henry, Fort, Tenn., captured Februar>' 6, 1862, by the Federals, Com- 
modore Foote and General Grant, commanding seven Union gunboats and a 
land force of 17,000. Fort Henry and Fort Heiman, a neighboring Confed- 
erate stronghold, were held by General Tilghman with 2734 men. Heiman 
was early abandoned. Foote was to reduce Fort Henry and Grant to cut off 



Dictionary of United States History. 303 

the retreat of the garrison. The Union gunboats commenced firing at six 
thousand yards, gradual!}' uearing the fort. Tilghman held out bravely, but 
the bursting of a twenty-four-pounder gun, wounding many of his men, 
forced him to surrender his staff and himself. By his orders Colonel Hei- 
man had been directed to attempt a retreat with the main body of the garri- 
son. This move was accomplished through Grant's late arrival, owing to 
recent floods. 

Henshaw, David (1791-1852), a Massachusetts Senator in 1826, and a 
Representative in 1839, was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President 
Tyler, but, being soon afterward rejected by the Senate, served only from 
1843 to 1844. 

Hanson, Josiah (1787-1881), whose life furnished the basis for " Uncle 
Tom's Cabin," was a negro slave in Maryland, but gained his freedom by 
flight to Canada, and became pastor of a church. 

Hepburn vs. Griswold, one of the " legal-tender cases " in the U. S. 
Supreme Court, decided 1864. In i860 Mrs. Hepburn promised to pay 
Griswold on February 20, 1862, #11,250, legal tender at that time (i860) 
being gold and silver only. In 1862, during the Civil War, the United 
States issued $150,000,000 of its own notes to be received as lawful money 
in payment of public and private debts within the United States. Mrs. 
Hepburn's note being overdue, suit was brought by Griswold in the Court 
of Chancery of Kentucky in 1864. Mrs. Hepburn tendered United States 
notes in payment, which were refused, though the court declared the debt 
absolved. The Court of Appeals reversed this judgment, and, it being 
brought to the U. S. Supreme Court, that body confirmed the judgment of 
the Court of Appeals of Kentucky, on the ground that the Act of 1862 was 
not intended to impair contracts made prior to its passage. This decision 
was reversed in Knox z's. L,ee and Julliard vs. Greenman. 

" Herald of Freedom." The first issue of this newspaper was made Octo- 
ber 21, 1854, in Wakarusa, Kansas, but it was really printed in Pennsylvania. 
It was the first newspaper of Kansas. It was afterward established at 
Lawrence, January 6, 1855. After this the office was destroyed and the 
paper suspended for a time. It was soon renewed, however, and continued 
until 1859, when it was finally suspended. 

Herbert, Hilary A., was bom in South Carolina in 1834, and was admitted 
to the bar. He enlisted in the Confederate army as a captain, and was 
promoted colonel. He was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness in 1864. 
He represented Alabama in the Congress of the United States from 1877 to 
1893, when he became Secretary of the Navy in the Cabinet of President 
Cleveland. 

Herkimer, Nicholas (1715-1777), was appointed a colonel of militia in 
1758, and commanded at Fort Herkimer against the French and Indians. 
He was appointed brigadier-general of militia by the State Convention in 
1776, and marched against Sir John Johnson's force of Tories and Indians. 
He was mortally wounded at Oriskany in an expedition for the relief of Fort 
Stanwix, which was besieged by St. Leger in 1777. 



304 Dictionary of United States History. 

Hermitage, the home of Andrew Jackson, at Nashville, Tenn., to which 
he moved from Hunter's Hill about 1804. The house in which he lived 
during the last twenty-five j-ears of his life was not built until 1819. 

Herndon, William L. (1813-1857), entered the navy in 1828, explored the 
Amazon for the U. S. Government in 1851 and 1852, and bravely died while 
aiding passengers on the sinking mail steamer, " Central America." 

Herrera, Jose Joaquin (1792-1854), became president of Mexico in 1845, 
but was deposed for favoring the independence of Texas. He was second in 
command during the war with the United States. He was again president 
from 1848 to 1 85 1. 

Herrman, Augustine (1605 ?-i686), established the Virginia tobacco trade 
about 1629. He was prominent in the affairs of New Netherlands. He was 
created Lord of Bohemia Manor, a large tract of land southwest of the Dela- 
ware, in 1662. 

Hesse. A convention for the abolition of droit d^aubaine and taxes on 
emigration was concluded between the United States and Hesse in 1844. 

Hessians. Early in 1776, the British Government made treaties with var- 
ious German petty princes, by which it obtained mercenaries for the war in 
America. Under these treaties, the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel sent 17,000 
troops, the Duke of Brunswick 6000, the Count of Hesse-Hanau 2400, the 
Margrave of Anspach 2400, the Prince of Waldeck and the Prince of 
Anhalt-Zerbst about 1000 each. In all, England paid the princes about 
;^i,8oo,ooo. The Hessians on the whole fought well. Some of them 
settled in this country and Nova Scotia. About 17,000 returned to Germany. 

Hewes, George R. T. (1751-1840), was one of the foremost among the 
patriots in the " Boston Tea Party " in 1773. He afterward joined the army 
and was stationed at West Point. 

Hewes, Joseph (i 730-1779), served in the North Carolina Senate in 1763. 
He was a prominent member of the Continental Congress in 1774, and 
signed the Declaration of Independence. 

Hewitt, Abram S., born in 1822, represented New York in the U. S. 
Congress from 1874 to 1886, except one term, and advocated a moderate 
tariff and honest money. He was one of the scientific commissioners sent 
by the United States to the French Exposition of 1867. He was chairman 
of the Democratic National Committee in 1876. He was chosen mayor of 
New York City in 1886, and served one term. 

Heyward, Thomas, Jr. (i 746-1 809), a member of the first South Carolina 
Committee of Safety, was a delegate to Congress from 1775 to 1778, and 
signed the Declaration of Independence. In 1780, he commanded a battalion 
in the siege of Charleston. 

Hickey Plot, a conspiracy in 1776 to assassinate General Washington at 
New York. Thomas Hickey, one of the general's life guards, was the ring- 
leader. He was hanged in June, 1776. David Matthews, mayor of New 
York, was implicated, and Governor Tryon was suspected. Matthews was 
imprisoned. 



Dictionary of United States History. 305 

Hickory, Old, a nickname given to General Jackson, on account of his 
toughness and powers of resistance. 

Hicks, Elias (1748-1S30), a celebrated preacher of the Society of Friends, 
denied the divinity of Christ and a vicarious atonement, thereby causing a 
division of the Society into Orthodox and "Hicksite" Quakers. 

Hicksites, a body that seceded from the Society of Friends in the year 
1827 under the leadership of Elias Hicks, of Jericho, L. I. They still retain 
the name of " Friends," but hold Socinian views in regard to the Trinity 
and the atonement. Number of members in 1890, 22,000. 

Higginson, Francis (1588- 1630), came as pastor to Massachusetts from 
England in 1629, settled at Salem, and wrote " New England's Plantations, 
or a Short and True Description of the Commodities and Discommodities of 

the Country'." 

Higginson, Thomas Wentworth, was born in 1823. He was early iden- 
tified with the anti-slavery cause. He left the ministry in 1858, and has 
since devoted himself to literature. He enlisted in the Civil War in 1863, 
was made colonel of the first regiment of colored troops, and captured 
Jacksonville. He was a Massachusetts Congressman in 1880 and 1881. He 
is an earnest advocate of woman suffrage. He has contributed largely to 
current literature, and has published two histories of the United States. 

" Higher Law." During the controversy in Congress, in 1850, over the 
admission of California as a free or slave State, Senator Seward, of New 
York, representing the Free-Soil Whigs, declared the common domain devoted 
to justice and liberty, not only by the Constitution, but by a " higher law 
than the Constitution," and that California must be admitted with no com- 
promise. 

Highlanders. After the troubles of 1715 and 1745 bodies of Highlanders 
came to the colonies and settled in the back districts of South Carolina as 
Indian traders and farmers. When Oglethorpe came over in 1733 with his 
letters patent for the district afterward called Georgia, he found numerous 
settlements of Higlilanders occupying portions of his territory. They gave 
him invaluable aid in his difficulties with the Spaniards and the unfriendly 
Indians. The Highlanders were opposed to the introduction of negroes. 

High-minded Federalists, a name given in ridicule to a set of New York 
Federalists, supporters of DeWitt Clinton, because of their overfrequent use 
of that adjective. 

Higley Token (see Granby Token), a private or unauthorized coinage 
issued in Connecticut by John Higley, of Granby, in 1737. It was made of 
copper. The obverse bore a deer and a legend, Value Me As You Please, the 
Roman numerals III. and a crescent; the reverse, three hammers on a trian- 
gular field, each bearing a crown; legend, I Am Good Copper. 

Hildreth, Richard (1807-1865), in 1832 became associate editor of the 
Boston Atlas, which attained considerable eminence as a daily Whig journal. 
In 1837 he published^rticles opposing the annexation of Texas, and while 
residing in the South published the anti-slavery novel, " Archy Moore," 



3o6 Dictionary of United States History. 

republished as " The White Slave." In 1840 he published " Despotism in 
America," in 1843 a "Theory of Politics," and in 1854 "The Legal Basis 
of Slavery." He is most prominent as author of a history of the United 
States in six volumes, which is brought down to the close of Monroe's first 
term, and is of excellent quality, though of warm Federalist sympathies. 

Hill, Ambrose P. (1825-1865), graduated from the U. S. Military Academy 
in 1847 ''■^'^ served during the Mexican War. At the outbreak of the Civil 
War he was appointed a colonel in the Virginia volunteers and fought at 
Bull Run. He was promoted brigadier-general for braver^' and commanded 
at Williamsburg, and was afterward promoted major-general. He took a 
prominent and aggressive part in the battles around Richmond, had important 
commands at Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was 
brevetted lieutenant-general. He led a corps at Gettysburg, and met his 
death in defence of Petersburg. 

Hill, Benjamin Harvey (1823-1882), born in Georgia, was admitted to the 
bar in 1845. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 
1 85 1, 1859 and i860. He was a Unionist member of the State secession 
convention and strenuously opposed the ordinance of secession, but after its 
passage supported the Confederacy. He was a delegate from Georgia to the 
Confederate provisional Congress, and was a member of the Confederate 
Senate till 1865. He published " Notes on the Situation," ably opposing the 
reconstruction measures. He earnestly supported Horace Greeley for the 
Presidency in 1872. He served in the U. S. Congress from 1875 to 1877, 
and on the Electoral Commission, and was a member of the U. S. Senate 
from 1877 to 1882. 

Hill, David B., politician, bom in 1843, "^'^^ ^ member of the New York 
Assembly in 1871 and 1872. He was president of the Democratic State 
Conventions of 1877 and 1881. He was Lieutenant-Governor of New York 
in 1882, and Governor from 1885 to 1891. He was in 1891 elected U. S. 
Senator for the term expiring in 1897. 

Hill, Daniel H. (1821-1889), general, was born in South Carolina. He was 
graduated from West Point in 1842. He was brevetted major for gallant 
service at Chapultepec during the Mexican War. He enlisted in the Con- 
federate service in 1861, gained a victory at Big Bethel, and was promoted 
major-general in 1862. He gained distinction in the "Seven Days' " battles 
about Richmond and at Boonesboro and Fredericksburg. He commanded in 
North Carolina and at Richmond and Petersburg. He was engaged at 
Chickamauga, and surrendered in 1865. 

Hill, Nathaniel P., born in 1832, has been prominent in the development 
of mining industries in the West. He was a U. S. Senator from Colorado 
from 1879 to 1885, and was the leading advocate of bimetallism. 

Hill, Thomas (1818-1891), president of Harvard from 1862 to 1868, 
accompanied Agassiz on the exploring expedition to South America. He 
published numerous mathematical works. 

Hillard, George S. (i 808-1 879), scholar and law\-er* was a delegate to the 
Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1853. He was a U. S. District 



Dictionary of United States History. 307 

Attorney from 1866 to 1870. He was the author of "Six Months in Italy" 
and numerous biographies. 

Hillhouse, James (1754-1832), Senator, was a captain in the Revolution- 
ary War. He was a Representative in the Connecticut Legislature from 
1786 to 1789. He represented Connecticut in the U. S. Congress as a 
Federalist from 1791 to 1795, and from 1796 to "1810 was a U. S. Senator. 
From 1810 to 1825 he was commissioner of the Connecticut School Fund. 
He was a member of the Hartford Convention. 

Hilliard, Henry W., born in 1808, author of the "Junius Brutus" papers, 
represented Alabama in the U. S. Congress from 1845 ^o 1851. He was a 
brigadier-general in the Confederate army. He was Minister to Brazil from 
1877 to 1881. 

Hillsboro, N. C, an encampment of Sherman's Federal army of 85,000 
men in 1865, during his pursuit of Johnston's Confederate troops 45,000 
strong. April 14 Sherman ordered his army to move from Hillsboro, which 
is near Raleigh, to cut off Johnston's retreat toward Charlotte. As this 
movement was about to be begun Johnston sent to negotiate a surrender by 
conditional treaty for all Confederates under arms. This treaty was drawn 
up April 18. 

Hindman, Thomas C. (1818-1868), was a lieutenant in the Mexican War. 
He represented Mississippi in Congress as a Democrat from 1858 to 1861. 
He was a brigadier-general in the Western Confederate army, and became 
major-general. He was assassinated for having exacted too severe discipline. 

Hindoos, a nickname applied to the Know-Nothing party in consequence 
of their candidate for the Presidency, Daniel Ullman, who was alleged to 
have been a native of Calcutta. 

Hiscock, Frank, Senator, born in 1834, was a New York District Attorney 
from i860 to 1863. He was a U. S. Congressman from 1877 to 1886, when 
he became a U. S. Senator for the tenn ending in 1893. 

"Historical Magazine," an important periodical, devoted to American 
history, and edited by Henry B. Dawson. The full title was " The Historical 
Magazine and Notes and Queries Concerning the Antiquities, History and 
Biography of America." Eighteen volumes were published, from 1857 to 
1873- 

Historical Societies. The first such in the United States was the Massa- 
chusetts Historical Society, founded in 1791. The New York Historical 
Society was established in 1809, the American Antiquarian Society in 1812, 
the American Historical Association in 1884. 

Hitchcock, Edward (1793-1864), an eminent American geologist, pub- 
lished " Report on the Geology of Massachusetts " and " The Religion of 
Geologv." He was prominent for his labors on the fossils of the Connecticut 
Valley.' 

Hoar, Ebenezer R., born in 1816, was a Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas of Massachusetts from 1849 to 1855 and of the Massachusetts Supreme 
Court from 1859 to 1869. He was Attorney-General of the United States 



3o8 Dictionary of United States History. 

from 1869 to 1870 in Grant's Cabinet. He was a member of the commission 
■which negotiated the Treaty of Washington. He represented Massachusetts 
as a Republican in the U. S. Congress from 1873 to 1875. Died 1895. 

Hoar, George F., born in 1826, was a member of the Massachusetts 
Leo-islature in 1852 and 1857. He represented Massachusetts in the U. S. 
Congress as a Republican from 1869 to 1877, and in the Senate from 1877 to 
the present time (1897). He was a delegate to the Republican National 
Conventions of 1876, 1880, 1884 and 1888. He was a member of the Elec- 
toral Commission in 1877. 

Hobart, Augustus C. (Hobart Pasha) (1822-1886), entered the British 
navy in 1836. During the Civil War he commanded the " Don," a success- 
ful blockade runner off the coast of North Carolina. He was placed in 
command of the Turkish fleet in the war of Turkey against Russia in 1877. 

Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., was chartered in 1825 by Episcopalians. 

Hobkirk's Hill, Battle of, April 25, 1781. Greene, being unable to assault 
or invest Camden, S. C, took his position ten miles north at Hobkirk's Hill. 
Here Lord Rawdon attacked him. Greene had nearly won when victory 
slipped from his grasp. The famous Maryland brigade fell into disorder 
through misunderstanding of orders and deranged Greene's plan. He was 
driven from his post and forced to retire. 

Hobart, Garret A., lawyer; bom 1844 in New Jersey. Served in State 
Legislature. Was speaker of House and president of Senate. Elected Vice- 
President November 3, 1896. 

Hodge, Charles (1797-1878), professor of theology at Princeton from 1822 
to 1878, founded the Princeton Reviezv^ which he edited until it was combined 
with the Presbyterian Quarterly \n 1871. He was author of a "Systematic 
Theology," and of great influence upon Presbyterian theological thought. 

Hoe, Richard M. (1812-1886), born in New York, invented a rotary press 
known as " Hoe's lightning press," which in one minute will print, cut and 
fold a sheet of paper 800 feet long. 

Hoffman, Charles Fenno (1806-1884), of New York, was editorially con- 
nected with the Knickerbocker Magazine^ the Americati Mo7ithly Magazine 
and the Literary World. He was an author of poems and popular songs, 
and wrote " The Administration of Jacob Leisler " and " The Pioneers of 
New York." 

Hoffman, John T., born in New York in 1828, became a member of Tam- 
many in 1858. He was mayor of New York City from 1865 to 1869, and 
Governor of New York State from 1869 to 1873. 

Holden, Edward S., born in 1846, was connected with the U. S. Naval 
Observatory from 1873 to 1886, when he became director of the Lick Obser- 
vatory. He is the author of a life of Sir William Herschel and "Monograph 
of the Central Parts of the Nebula of Orion," an exhaustive treatise. 

Holden, William W., born in 1818, edited the Raleigh Standard from 
1843 to 1868. He signed the ordinance of secession in 1861. While Gov- 
ernor of North Carolina in 1868 he was prominent in suppressing the Ku 
Klux outrages. 



Dictionary of United States History. 309 

Holland, Josiah G. (1819-1S81), an editor of the Massac/iuse/ts Repub- 
lican from 1849 to 1S66, published a "History of Western Massachusetts" 
and a " Life of Abraham Ivincohi." In 1870 he established Scribner's 
Monthly. 

Holland. (See Netherlands.) 

Holland Land Company, an association of Dutch capitalists to whom 
Robert Morris sold in 1792-93 the greater part of a valuable tract of land, 
west of the Genesee River, which he had purchased the year before from the 
State of Massachusetts. 

Holland Patent, the first land-grant in the present county of Orange, 
New York. It was made to six Dutch patentees by Governor Dongan, of 
New York, in 1686. The land was to be held in free and common socage of 
King James II. 

HoUey, Myron (1779-1841), while in the New York Assembly from 1816 
to 1824, advocated the construction of the Erie Canal. He was prominent 
among the Anti-Masons, and afterward labored in behalf of the Liberty 
party. 

Hollins, George N. (1799-1878), naval oflScer, served in the Algerian War 
in 1815. By his unauthorized bombardment of Nicaragua in 1855 he nearly 
involved the United States in difficulties with Great Britain. A Confederate 
naval officer during the Civil War, he commanded the naval forces below New 
Orleans which Farragut defeated in April, 1863. 

Holly Springs, Miss., held by the Federals under Colonel Murphy as 
General Grant's hospital and depot of supplies. It was captured by the Con- 
federate leader. Van Dorn, December 20, 1862, and the entire store of ordnance 
and medical supplies, besides 100 barrels of gimpowder, was destroyed. Grant 
had telegraphed Murphy to fortify his position and hold out until he could 
send reinforcements, but the latter was forced to yield. 

Holman, William S., of Indiana, born in 1822, was a judge of probate 
from 1843 to 1846 and prosecuting attorney from 1847 to 1849. He was a 
member of the Indiana Constitutional Convention in 1850, and served in the 
State Legislature from 1851 to 1852. He represented Indiana in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1859 to 1865, from 1867 to 1877 and from 1879 
to the present time (1894), obtaining the name of the "Great Objector" by 
his opposition to many expenditures. 

Holmes, Abiel (1763— 1837), a Massachusetts clergyman, was the author 
of a life of Ezra Stiles and " Annals of America," brought down to 1820, 
which is a standard authority; father of Dr. O. W. Holmes. 

Holmes, Isaac E. (1796-1867), served in the South Carolina Legislature 
in 1826 and 1832, where he proposed the nullification acts. He was a Demo- 
cratic U. S. Congressman from 1838 to 1851. 

Holmes, John (i 773-1 843), was a member of the Massachusetts Legisla- 
ture from 1802 to 1803 and from 1813 to 1817. He was a Democratic U. S. 
Congressman from 1817 to 1827 ^'^^ from 1829 ^'^ ^^33 



3IO Dictionary of United States History. 

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, born in Massachusetts in 1809, is an eminent 
physician, but is famed chiefly in literature. He was one of the founders of 
the. Atlantic ^ToHthly in 1857. In this periodical appeared his "Autocrat of 
the Breakfast Table," " Professor at the Breakfast Table," " Elsie Venner," 
etc. He has written many most popular poems, and is author of memoirs 
of John Lothrop Motley and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Died October 7, 1894. 

Holmes, Theophilus H. (1804-1880), was brevetted major for services in 
the Mexican War. He organized the North Carolina troops in 1861, and 
commanded in the Confederate army in Northern Virginia and in the Trans- 
Mississippi Department. 

Holmes vs. Walton, New Jersey. This seems to have been the first 
instance of an American court's assuming the authority to pronounce upon 
the constitutionality of an act of the Legislature. The Legislature of New 
Jersey had, in 1779, passed an act making lawful a trial before a jury of six 
men. In the case of Holmes vs. Walton the constitutionality of this act 
was questioned, and upon its being decided unconstitutional by the Court of 
Appeals, the act was repealed and a constitutional jury of twelve men 
substituted. 

Hoist, Hermann E. von, historian, was born in Livonia in 1841. From 
1867 to 1872 he was engaged in literary work in America. He is the author of 
a standard work on " The Constitutional History of the United States, 1750- 
1861." Also has written a life of John C. Calhoun and " The Constitutional 
Law of the United States." In 1872 he became a professor at Strasburg, in 
1874 at Freiburg, whence he was called to the University of Chicago in 
1891. 

Holt, Joseph, born in Kentucky in 1807, was appointed by President 
Buchanan Commissioner of Patents in 1857, and Postmaster-General in 
1859, and succeeded John B. Floyd as Secretary of War in i860. Although 
previously a Democrat he supported the administration of President Lincoln, 
who appointed him judge advocate of the army. In 1865 he was brevetted 
major-general U S. A. for services in bureau of military' justice. Died 1894. 

Homestead Law, securing to any citizen the right to enter upon 160 acres 
of unappropriated lands at $1.25 an acre, and after five years' actual resi- 
dence to own it, was passed May 20, 1862. It has proved of immense value 
in stimulating the settlement of the West. 

Homestead Riots. On the final refusal of the workingmen's association 
to accept certain changes in the wage scale, the proprietors of the Carnegie 
Steel Mills, at Homestead, Pa., closed the works July i, 1892. The 
employes declared a strike about the same time. A mob prevented the 
sheriff from placing pickets in the mills. July 6 a body of 300 Pinkerton 
detectives arrived. A bloody fight between these men and the strikers 
immediately took place, resulting in considerable loss on both sides. The 
Pinkertons surrendered. The Pennsylvania militia was then ordered out 
and remained at Homestead until September to protect the mills. Many 
-of the strikers were arrested and indictments were found against them. 



Dictionary of United States History. 311 

Honduras. A commercial treaty was concluded between the United 
States and Honduras in 1864. By Art. XIV. the United States guaranteed 
the neutrality of an interoceanic railway in return for concessions by Hon- 
duras. A reciprocity treaty was concluded in 1892. 

Honey Springs, Ind. Terr. Here, July 17, 1863, General Blunt with 
3000 Federal troops destroyed Cooper's command of 6000 Confederates. 
This force was lying in wait for Blunt, and the latter learning this, charged 
upon them. 

Hood, John Bell (1831-1879), born in Kentucky, graduated at the U. S. 
Military Academy in 1853. He enlisted in the Confederate service in 1861, 
and soon after was appointed brigadier-general of the Texas brigade. He 
was brevetted major-general for gallant service at Gaines' Mill. He served 
in the Maryland campaign and fought at Bull Run, Boonesboro, Fredericks- 
burg, Antietam and Gettysburg. He reinforced General Bragg at Chicka- 
mauga, and in 1864 commanded a corps under General Johnston. He 
succeeded Johnston in command and attempted to crush Sherman in his 
march to the sea, but was unsuccessful. He was soon afterward defeated by 
General Thomas at Franklin and at Nashville. He was succeeded by General 
Richard Taylor. 

Hooker, Charles E., born in 1825, was a Mississippi Congressman from 
1859 to 1861. He was a colonel in the Confederate service. He served in 
the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1875 to 1883 and from 1887 to the 
present time (1894). 

Hooker, Joseph (1814-1879), born in IMassachusetts, was graduated from 
West Point in 1837. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for his very gallant 
service during the Mexican War from 1846 to 1848. He was appointed a 
brigadier-general of the National forces in 1861, and commanded a division 
in 1862 in the Army of the Potomac. He was brevetted major-general for 
services at Yorktown, Williamsburg and Malvern Hill. He had important 
commands at South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. In 1863 he 
succeeded Burnside in command of the Army of the Potomac, and conducted 
the battle of Chancellorsville, but, being unsuccessful, was soon after suc- 
ceeded by General Meade. He was assigned command in the Army of the 
Cumberland, and fought at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He 
accompanied Sherman in his march through Georgia until after the siege of 
Atlanta. He was brevetted major-general in the regular army in 1865, and 
retired in 1868. He was a brave and skillful tactician, but had not the 
abilities requisite for commander-in-chief. 

Hooker, Thomas (1586-1647), fled from England to Holland in 1630 on 
a charge of non-conformity. He escaped to New England in 1633, and was 
chosen pastor at Newtown (now Cambridge) of the eighth church established 
in the Massachusetts colony. With one hundred members of the commu- 
nity he emigrated to Connecticut in 1636, and founded the town of Hart- 
ford. He was chosen pastor of the church at that place and was very 
prominent in all the affairs of the colony. He was author of " Survey of 
the Summe of Church Discipline." 



312 Dictionary of United States History. 

Hooper, Samuel (1808-1S75), was a member of the Massachusetts Legis- 
lature from 1 85 1 to 1854, and of the U. S. Congress as a Republican from 
1861 to 1875. He served on the Committees of Ways and Means, Banking 
and Currenc}-, and War Debts. 

Hooper, William (1742-1790), was a member of the North Carolina Leg- 
islature in 1773, and of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1777. He 
signed the Declaration of Independence. He was author of the " Hampden " 
essays in 1773. 

Hopkins, Edward (1600-1657), came to America from England in 1637. 
He was Governor of Connecticut in the even years from 1640 to 1654. He 
aided in forming the union of the New England colonies in 1643. 

Hopkins, Esek (1718-1802), of Rhode Island, was appointed commander- 
in-chief of the navy by the Continental Congress in 1775. In 1767, in 
command of the first colonial fleet, he captured the British ships " Hawke " 
and "Bolton." He was retired in 1777 for neglect to appear before the 
Naval Committee on a charge of unnecessary delays. He afterward was 
prominent in Rhode Island politics. 

Hopkins, Johns (1795-1873), was the founder of Johns Hopkins Univer- 
sity at Baltimore, which he endowed with about $3,500,000. He also gave 
an equal sum for the foundation of a hospital at Baltimore. 

Hopkins, Lemuel (1750-1801), aided by Trumbull, Humphreys, Barstow 
and others, called the " Hartford Wits," published " The Anarchiad," which 
advocated an efficient Federal constitution. He wrote satirical poems 
entitled the "Echo," "The Political Greenhouse," and "The Hypocrite's 
Hope." 

Hopkins, Mark (1802-1887), born in Massachusetts, was professor of moral 
philosophy from 1836 to 1887 at Williams College, and its president from 
1836 to 1872. He was author of the "Law of Love" and an "Outline 
Study of Man." 

Hopkins, Samuel (i 721-1803), theologian, was born in Connecticut. He 
was ordained in 1743, and became a pastor at Newport, R. I., in 1770. He 
was prominent in the Rhode Island anti-slavery movements in 1774. His 
religious views exerted a powerful influence. He wrote " A System of 
Doctrines." 

Hopkins, Stephen (i 707-1 785), was a member of the Rhode Island 
Assembly during most of the years from 1732 to 1752, and was Speaker at 
various sessions, 1738-1749. He was one of the committee, at the Albany 
Convention of 1754, which drafted a plan of colonial union. He was Gover- 
nor of Rhode Island from 1755 to 1757, from 1758 to 1762, from 1763 to 
1765 and from 1767 to 1768. He was a Rhode Island delegate to the Con- 
tinental Congress from 1774 to 1780, and signed the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. In 1765 he published " The Grievances of the American Colonies 
Candidly Examined." He was the most eminent Rhode Island statesman 
of the last centur}-. 



Dictionary of United States History. 313 

Hopkinsianism, the doctrine advocated by Samuel Hopkins, minister at 
Newport from 1770, as an addition to Calvinism, that holiness consisted in 
pure, disinterested benevolence, and that all self-seeking was necessarily sin- 
ful. It exerted a liberalizing influence on the theology of the day. 

Hopkinson, Francis (1737-1791), was admitted to the bar in 1761. He 
was a New York Councilman from 1774 to 1776. He was a delegate to the 
Continental Congress from 1776 to 1777, serving on the committee to draft 
articles of confederation and advocating and signing the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. He was appointed head of the Navy Department in 1775. He 
aided the cause of liberty by witty satires and popular poems and songs. 
He was Judge of Admiralty for Pennsylvania from 1779 to 1789, and a U. S. 
District Judge from 1790 to 1791. 

Hopkinson, Joseph (i 770-1 842), was one of the counsel in the Pennsyl- 
vania insurgents' trials, and defended Judge Chase in his impeachment trials. 
He represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. Congress as a Federalist from 
1815 to 1819. He was a U. S. District Judge from 1828 to 1842, and a 
member of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention of 1837. He com- 
posed " Hail Columbia." 

" Hornet," eighteen guns. Captain Lawrence, off Brazil on Februar>' 24^ 
1 81 3, attacked the " Peacock," a British brig, eighteen guns. Within fifteen 
minutes the " Peacock " was sinking, and struck her colors. Before all the 
wounded could be moved she sank, carrying nine British and three Ameri- 
can seamen with her. On March 23, 1815, in the South Atlantic, the British 
brig " Penguin," of eighteen guns, challenged the " Hornet." The battle 
lasted twenty-three minutes. The " Penguin " was boarded and captured, 
losing among others her commander. After scuttling the prize the " Hor- 
net" returned to the United States. In the latter part of April, 1815, the 
" Hornet " was chased by the " Cornwallis," seventy-four guns, and only 
escaped capture by throwing overboard all its guns save one, its anchors, 
boats and heavy stores. 

Horry, Peter, a brigadier-general under General Francis Marion during 
the Revolutionary War, wrote a " Life of ]\Iarion " in conjunction with Rev. 
IMason L. Weems. 

Horse-Shoe Bend, Ala., a battle, March 29, 1814, between General 
Andrew Jackson's army of 3000 whites, chiefly Tennessee militia, and 
friendly Cherokee Indians, and 700 or 800 Creek warriors. The Creeks had 
fortified themselves in the horse-shoe of the Tallapoosa River. Jackson 
advanced his cannon to within 200 yards of the barricade and began firing, 
while the Cherokee allies swam the river and attacked the Creeks in the 
rear. An assault was then ordered and the fort carried, about 500 Creeks 
being killed, and an equal number of women and children being captured. 

Horsford, Eben N. (1818-1893), chemist, was one of the originators of 
the Lawrence Scientific School, at Cambridge, Mass. He made liberal 
endowments to Wellesley College, and wrote extensively upon the Norse and 
other early voyages to America. 



314 Dictionary of United States History. 

Hosmer, Harriet, born in Massachusetts in 1830, is a prominent Ameri- 
can sculptor. Her best works are " The Sleeping Fawn," " Puck," " Zenobia 
in Chains" and " Beatrice Cenci." 

Hotchkiss, Benjamin B. (1830-1885), was considered at the time of his 
death the first artillery engineer in the world. He invented among others, 
a machine gun and a magazine rifle. 

Houdon, Jean Antoine (1740-1828), French sculptor, visited the United 
States in 1785, and modeled the statue of Washington which is in the capitol 
at Richmond and is regarded as the best likeness of Washington. 

House of Representatives, a term first employed in colonial and State 
Legislatures to denote the lower or popula'- branch. In the Randolph plan, 
brought before the Convention of 17S7, the lower branch of the Federal 
Legislature is called simply the " first branch." The name House of Repre- 
sentatives first appears in the report of the committee of detail. (See arts. 
Apportionment, Slave Representation, Previous Question, Mace, etc.) The 
House has twice chosen the President, in 1801 (Jefferson), and in 1825 (J. Q. 
Adams). The chief law regulating elections of Representatives was passed 
in 1875. 

Houston, Samuel (1793-1863), enlisted in the U. S. army in 1813, and 
was promoted lieutenant for braver\- in the Creek War, 1813-1814. He 
represented Tennessee in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1823 ^o 
1827, and was Governor of Tennessee from 1827 to 1829. He was a mem- 
ber of the Texas Constitutional Convention in 1833. As commander-in-chief 
of the Texan army he secured the independence of Texas. He was presi- 
dent of Texas from 1836 to 1838 and from 1841 to 1844, secured the annex- 
ation of Texas to the United States and represented it in Congress from 1845 
to 1859. ^^ ^^s again chosen Governor of Texas in 1859 and ser\'ed until 
he refused to espouse the Confederate cause in 1861. 

Howard, Jacob M. (1805-187 1), was a member of the Michigan Legisla- 
ture in 1838 and represented that State in the U. S. Congress from 1841 to 
1843. H^ drafted the first Republican platform in 1854 and gave the party 
its name. He was a U. S. Senator from 1862 to 1871. 

Howard, John Eager (1752-1827), colonel, joined the Revolutionary army 
at the outbreak of the war, and was a captain under General Mercer at 
White Plains in 1776. He commanded as major at Germantown and Mon- 
mouth, fought at Camden in 1780 with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and 
won great fame at Cowpens in 1781. He was Governor of Maryland from 
1789 to 1792. In 1796 he declined the portfolio of Secretary of War in 
Washington's Cabinet. He was a U. S. Senator from 1796 to 1803. 

Howard of Effingham, Lord, Governor of Virginia from 1683 to 1688. 
He succeeded Lord Culpepper, and was very unpopular for his extortions, 
usurpations, dissolving of the assembly, multiplication of fees and arbitrary- 
imprisonments. Colonel Ludwell was sent to England to make complaints 
against him. 

Howard, Oliver Otis, born in 1830, was graduated from the U. S. Mili- 
tary Academy in 1854. He was appointed colonel of a Maine regiment in 



Dictionary of United States History. 315 

1861. He commanded a brigade at Bull Run, and for his gallant service 
was promoted brigadier-general. In 1S62 he fought at Fair Oaks and 
Antietam, and was promoted major-general. He served at Fredericksburg, 
Gettysburg, Lookout ^Mountain and Missionary Ridge. In 1863 he was 
assigned command in the Army of the Cumberland, and later in the Army 
of the Tennessee. He accompanied Sherman in his march to the sea, and 
was present at Johnston's surrender in 1865. He was Commissioner of the 
Freedmen's Bureau from 1865 to 1874. In 1886 he was commissioned 
major-general, and assigned to the Pacific Division; in 1888 he was trans- 
ferred to the Atlantic Division. 

Howard's Reports, twenty-four volumes of law reports by Benjamin C. 
Howard, containing cases from the U. S. Supreme Court of the years 1843- 
1860. 

Howe, Ellas (1819-1867), born in Massachusetts, was the inventor of the 
first successful sewing-machine, in 1846. He served in a Connecticut regi- 
ment during the Civil War, and aided the Government by large loans. 

Howe, George A., Viscount (1724-1758), came to America from England 
in command of a regiment in 1757. He was promoted brigadier-general and 
in 1758 served under Commander-in-chief Abercrombie at Fort Ticonderoga, 
where he met his death. He was a very able and popular officer and exerted 
a powerful influence over his subordinates. 

Howe, Henry, born in Connecticut in 1816, was author of "Our Whole 
Country " and " Historical Collections " of New York, New Jersey, Ohio and 
Virginia, in which much material was preserved. 

Howe, Julia Ward, born in 1819, composed the "Battle Hymn of the 
Republic" in 1861. She is an earnest advocate of woman suffrage and has 
been prominent in many reform movements. 

Howe, Richard (Earl Howe) (1725-1799), a British rear-admiral, was 
appointed commander-in-chief of the naval forces in North America in 1776. 
In conjunction with his brother. Sir William Howe, he was commissioned to 
conciliate the colonies, but found this impossible. He then took possession 
of Long Island and New York in 1776 and of Philadelphia in 1777. In 
1778 he encountered the French fleet, under Count d'Estaing, off the coast 
of Rhode Island; both fleets were badly shattered by a storm which prevented 
a decisive engagement. He resigned his charge to Admiral Byron soon 
afterward and returned to England. He published " Narrative of the Trans- 
actions of the Fleet" in 1780, vindicating his conduct during his command 
in America. He afterward became an admiral, and won the great victor}' of 
June I, 1794, over the French. 

Howe, Robert (1732-1785), was a member of the North Carolina Assem- 
bly from 1772 to 1773. He was a delegate to the Colonial Congress in 1774. 
He was appointed colonel, and aided in expelling Governor Dunmore from 
Virginia. He was excepted in Sir William Howe's proclamation of royal 
clemency. He commanded the North Carolina troops in the defence of 
Charleston, and fought at Savannah. He commanded at West Point in 
1780. 



3i6 Dictionary of United States History. 

Howe, Samuel G. (1801-1876), founded a school for the blind in 1832, 
subsequently called the Perkins Institution, of which he was superintendent 
till 1876, and at which Laura Bridgman was educated. From 1851 to 1853 
he edited the Comtnomvealth. When commissioner to Santo Domingo in 
1 87 1 he advocated annexation to the United States. He was author of an 
" Historical Sketch of the Greek Revolution," in which he had participated. 

Howe, Timothy O. (1816-1883), was a member of the Maine Legislature 
in 1845. From 1850 to 1855 he was a Judge of the Circuit and Supreme 
Courts of Wisconsin. He represented Wisconsin in the U. S. Senate as a 
Republican from 1861 to 1879, and served on the Committees of Finance, 
Commerce, Pensions and Claims. He advocated the right of the National 
Government to establish territorial governments in the seceded States. He 
was a delegate to the International Monetary Conference in 1881. He was 
appointed Postmaster-General in Arthur's Cabinet in 1881 and served until 
his death. 

Howe, Sir ^Villiam (i 729-1814), served under General Wolfe at Quebec 
in 1759. In 1775 he succeeded General Gage as commander-in-chief of the 
British forces in America. He commanded the British troops at Bunker Hill. 
In conjunction with his brother, Richard, he defeated the colonial armies at 
Long Island and at White Plains in 1776, and captured Forts Washington 
and Lee. He defeated Washington at Brandywine in 1777, and entered 
Philadelphia. After repulsing the American attack at Germantowu he went 
into winter quarters in Philadelphia, and was accused of spending his time 
in the pursuit of pleasure. He was removed from command in 1778, and 
superseded by Sir Henry Clinton. He was a well-educated general and a 
favorite with his officers, but unsuccessful in strategy and incapable of man- 
aging a large army. He is described by General Henry Lee as " the most 
indolent of mortals, who never took pains to examine the merits or demerits 
of a cause in which he was engaged." 

Howells, ^A^illiam Dean, bom in Ohio in 1837, was Consul to Venice 
from 1861 to 1865. He became an editor of the Atla7ific Monthly in 1866, 
and was editor-in-chief from 1872 to 1881. He is perhaps the most promi- 
nent of American novelists. He is an advocate of the modern " realistic 
fiction " which portrays life as it actually is. He has written lives of Abra- 
ham Lincoln and Rutherford B. Hayes. 

Hoxie, Vinnie R., sculptor, born in 1846, designed the marble statue of 
Abraham Lincoln in the Capitol at Washington, and modeled the bronze 
statue of Admiral Farragut in Washington. 

Huamantla, Mexico. Here, October 9, 1847, General Santa Anna endeav- 
ored to cut off and destroy a convoy commanded by General Lane, of the 
American army, 01 route from El Pinal to Puebla. The attempt was unsuc- 
cessful. 

Hubbard, Lucius F., bom in 1836, fought at Vicksburg and Nashville 
during the Civil War, and was brevetted brigadier-general. He was elected 
to the Minnesota Legislature by the Republicans in 1872 and 1874, and was 
Governor of Minnesota from 1882 to 1887. 



Dictionary of United States History. 317 

Hubbard, Samuel D. (1799— 1855), represented Connecticut in the U. S. 
Congress as a Whig from 1845 to 1849. He was Postmaster-General in 
Fillmore's Cabinet from 1852 to 1853. 

Hubbard, William (1621-1704), came to America from England in 1630. 
He was a pastor at Ipswich, Mass., from 1665 to 1703. He was author of a 
*' History of New England " and " A Narrative of Troubles with the 
Indians." 

Hubbardton, Battle of, July 7, 1777. The fugitive garrison from Ticon- 
deroga was overtaken by Eraser with 900 men at Hubbardton, Vt. He was 
checked until Riedesel, with 1000 men, came up and put the Americans to 
flight. This was an episode in Burgoyne's invasion. 

Hubbell, Jay A., born in 1829, of Michigan, served in the U. S. Congress 
as a Republican from 1873 to 1883. As chairman of the Republican Con- 
gressional Committee in the campaign of 1880, he was noted for his pursuit 
of assessments from office-holders. 

Hudde, Andreas (i6oo?-i663), came to America from Holland in 1629, 
and was employed in New Netherlands by the Dutch West India Company. 
He was Governor of the Dutch colony on the Delaware from 1645 ^° ^^55- 

Hudson, Henry, was born in the latter part of the sixteenth century. 
He made two voyages under the direction of the Muscovy Company in 
search of a northwest passage. In the first expedition made in 1607 he 
explored the coast of Greenland, and was the first to suggest the existence 
of an open polar sea. His second voyage in 1608 was unsuccessful. In 
1609 he commanded an expedition for the Dutch East India Company. 
After coasting along Labrador he sailed southward, touching at Newfound- 
land, Penobscot Bay, Cape Cod and the Chesapeake. He sailed up the 
Hudson as far as the present site of Albany. On his last voyage in 1610 he 
entered the strait and bay which bear his name. His crew became mutinous 
because of severe hardships and set Hudson adrift in a small boat. Nothing 
was ever heard from him or his seven companions. He wrote " Divers Voy- 
ages and Northern Discoveries " and " A Second Voyage." 

Hudson Bay Company, chartered by Charles II. May 16, 1670, for the 
" discovery of a new passage to the South Sea, and for the finding of some 
trade for furs, minerals and other considerable commodities." Adopting the 
suggestion of Sir Alexander Mackenzie, it combined with the Northwest 
Company in 1821, and obtained a more extensive charter. It was ever the 
most formidable rival of the United States as a claimant of the northwest 
regions. Despite the treaty of 1783, which granted that territory to the 
United States, the company persisted in making settlements, and, being on 
the disputed ground, it had the advantage of our Government. Every pos- 
sible means was employed, and for a long time successfully, to prevent 
immigration from the States. The Selkirk settlement in Oregon was made in 
1811-12, and later it was decided to seize and hold Oregon by force, turning 
over the Indians to the Jesuits and furnishing troops to protect the priests 
and repel intruders. The boundary settlement of 1846 finally excluded the 
company. 



3i8 Dictionary of United States History. 

Huger, Isaac (1742-1797), was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the first 
South Carolina regiment in the Revolution. He was commissioned briga- 
dier-general in the U. S. army in 1779, and engaged in all the important 
battles of the Southern army. He fought at »Stono, Savannah, Charleston, 
Guilford Court House and Hobkirk's Hill. 

Hughes, John (1797-1864), prelate, born in Ireland, came to America in 
1817. He was ordained a priest in 1826. He was made Bishop of New 
York in 1842. He is the founder of vSt. John's College. In 1850 he was 
made Archbishop of New York. He was prominent in the Catholic contro- 
versies regarding the public-school system of New York and the tenure of 
church property. 

Huguenots. The first Huguenots to settle in this country were a small 
band who had been induced to emigrate under the charter of the Carolinas 
granted to Sir Robert Heath in 1630. Upon reaching Virginia means of 
transportation failed, so they remained in that colony. The revocation of 
the Edict of Nantes in 1685 drove multitudes from France. Other parties 
came to Virginia about 1700 under Claude Philippe de Richebourg. In 
Massachusetts they made a settlement at Oxford in 1686, but were massacred 
and driven away by the Indians. By 1737, they had become an important 
element in South Carolina, where they founded at Charleston the " South 
Carolina Society," a benevolent organization. They also made early settle- 
ments in the Middle States, notably in New York. Jay, Revere and Lau- 
rens were of this stock. 

Hull, Isaac (1773— 1843), born in Connecticut, entered the merchant ma- 
rine in 1784. In 1798, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the American 
navy. He commanded the " Argus " in 1804, and engaged in the Barbary 
Wars. In 1806, he was commissioned captain, and in 1807 assigned to the 
command of the " Constitution." He was highly honored for successfully 
evading an attack of a superior British force in 181 2. Soon afterward he 
captured the British ship " Guerriere " with a loss of fourteen men killed and 
wounded, while the enemy lost seventy-nine. This was the first and most 
famous naval victory during the war. He afterward commanded the 
Pacific and Mediterranean squadrons, and served on the Board of Naval 
Commissioners. 

Hull, William (1753-1825), was chosen captain in a Connecticut regiment 
in 1775. He fought at White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga, Fort 
Stanwix and Stony Point. He attained the rank of major. From 1S05 to 
181 2 he was Governor of Michigan. In 181 2 he was placed in command of 
the Army of the Northwest, with headquarters at Detroit. He regarded 
himself as compelled by superior forces and by lack of proper facilities to 
surrender Detroit to the British. He was tried by court-martial and sentenced 
to death, but was reprieved by Madison. 

Humphreys, Andrew A. (1810-1883), was assigned to the corps of topo- 
graphical engineers in 1838 and engaged in the coast survey. He served on 
the staff of General McClellan in 1862. He commanded a division at Fred- 
ericksburg and Chancellorsville and a corps at Gettysburg. In 1863 he 



Dictionary of United States History. 319 

became chief of stafif to General Meade. He was chief of engineers from 
1866 to 1879, when he retired. 

Hundred, a territorial and political division of a county, borrowed from 
England, and instituted in some of the colonies, notably in Maryland and 
Virginia. It was also to be found in Maine and Delaware, and was based 
upon the old Hundred system of the English counties. In Virginia the 
" Hundred " was in some instances synonymous with the parish or the plan- 
tation, and again it was subdivided into parishes. The chief officer of the 
Hundred was usually the constable. 

Hunkers. A name applied originally to conservative Democrats in New 
York, but also used in other .States. Though the name was not in use until 
1844 the faction to which it applied existed as early as 1835. The 
Hunkers, in New York, opposed the " loco-foco " faction, the barn-burners 
and radicals; and finally divided into the " hards " and the " softs." They 
represented the inertia of the State Democratic party. From 1835 to 1840 
they opposed the loco-foco war on bank charters. Later they opposed a 
revision of the Constitution and the radicals, and were disinclined to oppose 
slavery'. The faction ceased to exist about i860. 

Hunt, Henry J. (1819-1889), was prominent during the Mexican War. 
He served on McClellan's staff in 1861, and was chief of artillery in the 
Army of the Potomac from 1862 to 1865, engaging in all its battles. 

Hunt, Thomas Sterry (1826-1892), scientist, made valuable original con- 
tributions to the advancement of chemical and geological science. He 
invented the ink with which "greenbacks" were printed. 

Hunt, Ward (1810-1886), was a New York Congressman in 1839. In 
1865 he became a Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, and from 1872 
to 1882 was an Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. 

Hunt, William H. (1824-1884), of Louisiana, was appointed Judge of the 
U. S. Court of Claims in 1878. He was Secretary' of the Navy in Garfield's 
Cabinet from 1881 to 1882, when he was appointed Minister to Russia. 

Hunter, David (1802-1886), commanded the main column of McDowell's 
army in the Manassas campaign in 1861 and commanded a division at Bull 
Run. He succeeded General Fremont in command of the Western Depart- 
ment. He commanded the Department of Kansas from 1861 to 1862, when 
he was transferred to the Southern Department. He organized the first regi- 
ment of colored troops. In 1864 he commanded the Department of West 
Virginia. He was president of the commission which tried the assassins of 
President Lincoln. He was brevetted major-general in 1865 and retired from 
service in 1866. 

Hunter, Joseph (1783-1861), was assistant keeper of the public records in 
London from 1833 till his death. He made valuable researches and dis- 
coveries in relation to the early settlements in New England. He secured 
for the Massachusetts Historical Society a transcript of the "Historyof the 
Plymouth Plantation." by Governor Bradford, from the original in the 
Fulham Library. 



320 Dictionary of United States History. 

Hunter, Robert M. T. (1809-1887), served in the Virginia Legislature in 
1833. He represented Virginia in the Congress of the United States as a 
Whig from 1837 to 1843 and from 1845 to 1847, and was Speaker from 
1839 to 1 84 1. He was a U. S. Senator from 1847 to 1861, and ardently 
advocated all pro-slavery legislation. He was a member of the provisional 
Congress at Richmond in 1861. From 1861 to 1862 he was Secretary of 
State in the Confederate Government. From 1862 to 1865 he served in the 
Confederate Senate in opposition to the administration of Mr. Davis. He 
was one of the peace commissioners to confer with President Lincoln in 
1865. He was treasurer of Virginia from 1877 to 1880. 

Huntington, Frederick D., born in 1826, was chosen Protestant Episcopal 
Bishop of Central New York in 1869. He has been a frequent contributor 
to periodicals, and has published " Lectures on Human Society " and 
sermons. 

Huntington, Samuel (1732-1796), of Connecticut, signed the Declaration 
of Independence in 1776, was President of the Continental Congress from 
1779 to 1781, and Governor of Connecticut from 1786 to 1796. 

Hunton, Eppa, born in 1823, was commonwealth attorney in Virginia 
from 1849 ^'^ 1862. He was made a brigadier-general in the Confederate 
service. While a U. S. Congressman from 1873 to 1881 he served on the 
Electoral Commission as a Democrat. 

Hurd, Frank H., born in 1841, was a member of the Ohio Senate in 1866. 
He was elected to the U. S. Congress as a Democrat in 1874, 1878 and 1882. 
He is an ardent and able advocate of free trade. Died 1896. 

Hurlburt, Stephen A. (1815-1882), served in the National army during 
the Civil War. He was Minister to Colombia from 1869 to 1872. He 
represented Illinois in the U. S. Congress as a Republican from 1873 to 

1877- 

Hurons, a tribe of Indians formerly occupying territory near Lake Huron. 
Among them the French began the famous Huron mission in 1632. They 
allied themselves with the Algonquins against the Iroquois, which latter 
nation destroyed several of their villages, finally dispersing them in 1649. 
Many found their way to Canada. 

Hutchinson, Anne (Marbury) (i6oo?-i643), came to America from Eng- 
land in 1634. She was expelled from the Massachusetts colony for preach- 
ing Antinomian doctrines and accusing the authorities of being under a 
" covenant of works." She had won a large following. She founded Ports- 
mouth, R. I., on the island of Aquidneck, which she purchased from the 
Indians. She was afterward murdered by the Indians near Manhattan, 
where she settled. 

Hutchinson, Thomas (1711-1780), Governor, was a member of the Gen- 
eral Court of Massachusetts from 1737 to 1739, 1740, and 1741 to 1749. He 
was Speaker from 1746 to 1748. He restored a healthy condition of trade 
by redeeming the depreciated paper currency. In 1754 he was one of the 
commissioners at the Albany Convention, and aided in drafting a plan of 
colonial union. He was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts 



Dictionary of United States History. 321 

in 1756. In 1760 he was appointed Chief Justice. In 1765 his house was 
sacked by a mob infuriated by the notion that he was a party to the obnox- 
ious stamp acts, and his vaUiable library of historical pamphlets and docu- 
ments was destroyed. In 1770 he was appointed Governor of the province. 
The report was circulated that he was largely responsible for the oppressive 
acts of the ministry, and this was intensified by Dr. Franklin's publication 
of some of Hutchinson's letters to England which had fallen into his hands. 
In 1774 he sailed to England, where he spent the remainder of his life. He 
was a conscientious and high-minded Tory. He wrote a valuable history of 
Massachusetts. 

Hylton vs. United States. In 1795 Hylton, of Virginia, was presented by 
the District Attorney before the Circuit Court for refusing to pay duty upon 
certain carriages, which, he averred, were kept for his own private use. The 
decree was against the defendant, and the case was transferred to the 
Supreme Court of the United States. The argument turned entirely upon 
the question of the tax being direct or indirect. The court decided it to be 
indirect since it must be incapable of apportionment and could not be uni- 
form. Accordingly judgment was affirmed for the defendant. 



I. 

Iberville, Pierre le Moyne d' (1661-1706), engaged in the Canadian 
expedition against the English forts on the Hudson, fought at Fort Mousipi 
and Fort Quitchilchouen, and in 1688 captured two English vessels. In 
1690 he was one of the leaders against Schenectady. In 1694 he took Fort 
Nelson, and, in command of a frigate, captured three English ships, includ- 
ing the " Newport." He destroyed Fort Pemaquid, and reduced nearly all 
Newfoundland. In command of the "Pelican," in 1697, he destroyed 
several British ships, and captured Fort Bourbon. In 1698 he ascended the 
Mississippi and built Fort Biloxi, the first port on the river. In 1701 he 
transferred the colony to Mobile. In 1706 he captured Nevis Island. 

Icaria, a communistic settlement founded in 1856, in Iowa, by the followers 
of the Frenchman, Etienne Cabet. The latter, in 1848, had persuaded a 
number of persons to settle with him in the Red River country of Texas. 
This colony failed because of Cabet's extravagant ideas. In 1850 the colony 
moved to Nauvoo in Illinois, a deserted village of the Mormons. Thence 
they moved again in 1856 (Cabet dying that same year at New Orleans), to 
their present settlement near Corning, Iowa, calling it the Icaria Commune, 
in reminiscence of Cabet's book, " Icarie." Most of the people, less than 100 
in all, are French, though there are a few Germans. 

Idaho, a State, was formed from the Louisiana cession. It was organized 
as a part of Oregon for a time, and later was joined to Washington. It was 
given a territorial government of its own in 1863, and was admitted as a 
State July 3, 1890. The population in 1890 was 84,385. Suffrage is denied 
to Mormons. The Republicans control the State. In 1892 the Coeur 



322 Dictionary of United States History. 

d'Alene riots, caused by a strike of the miners, were suppressed by U. S. 
troops. History by Bancroft. 

Illinois, a State of the American Republic, was formed from the North- 
west Territory, wliich was organized in 1787. Tlie State was originally a 
possession of France, who surrendered her claims to England in 1763. The 
first settlement was a mission at Kaskaskia, founded by Marquette in 1675. 
In 1679 La Salle built Fort CreveccEur, and in 1682 established a colony at 
Cahokia, and in 1700 Kaskaskia was founded. George Rogers Clark, with 
a Virginia force, seized Cahokia and Kaskaskia in 1778, and Illinois was 
made a county of Virginia. March i, 1784, Virginia surrendered her claim 
over Illinois to the United States. In 1809 it was erected into a territory 
comprising the present States of Illinois, Wisconsin and part of Michigan. 
December 3, 1818, Illinois with its present boundaries became a State. 
The Black Hawk War broke out in 1832. Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy was 
murdered by a mob at Alton because of his attempt to publish an anti- 
slavery newspaper in 1837. From 1840 to 1844 the Mormons caused excite- 
ment which led to the death at the hands of a mob of two of their leaders 
and the emigration of the sect from the State. The southern part of the 
State has usually been Democratic, the northern part Anti-Democratic. 
Down to i860 the vote of Illinois was invariably Democratic in Presidential 
elections. Including and since that time it has been Republican until 1892, 
when it was Democratic. In 1858 Lincoln and Douglas canvassed the State 
together for election to the U. S. Senate. Douglas won. In 1877 David 
Davis, an Independent, was elected to the Senate by Democrats and Inde- 
pendents. The present Constitution was made in 1870. The population 
of Illinois in 1818 was 34,620, in 1890 it was 3,826,351. History by 
Ford. 

" Illinois Intelligencer," the first newspaper published in Illinois. It was 
established in 1815, at Kaskaskia, by Mathew Duncan, and was removed to 
Fayette County in 1820. It was afterward called the Vandalia llliig and 
Illinois Intelligencer and was suspended in 1 839. 

Impeachments. There have been seven impeachments made by the Con- 
gress of the United States. During the session of 1797-98, William Blount, 
U. S. Senator from Tennessee, was impeached by the House and tried by 
the Senate for treasonable negotiations with Great Britain for the transfer of 
New Orleans. He was acquitted for want of jurisdiction. March 3, 1803, 
Judge John Pickering, of the Federal Court of New Hampshire, was 
impeached and removed from the bench for drunkenness and profanity. 
November 30, 1804, Judge Samuel Chase, of the U. S. Supreme Court, was 
impeached for arbitrary conduct and the introduction of political disquisitions 
in his charges to grand juries. He was not removed. December 13, 1S04, 
Judge James Peck, of the Federal Court of Missouri, was impeached for 
punishing as contempt of court a criticism of his opinions. He was acquitted. 
December 29, i860. Judge West H. Humphreys, of the Federal District 
Court of Tennessee, was impeached and removed from the bench for aiding 
the Rebellion. November 25, 1867, the House impeached President Andrew 
Johnson, charging him with having removed Stanton, Secretary of War, in 



V 



Dictionary of United States History. 323 

violation of the Tenure of Office Act, with having appointed General L. 
Thomas contrary to the same act, with conspiracy with Thomas and others 
for the intimidation of Stanton and the unlawful disbursement of the War 
Department's moneys, and with inducing General Emory, commanding the 
Department of Washington, to disobey orders. The House adopted the 
resolution of impeachment by a vote of 126 to 42. After the trial before 
the Senate, the vote stood 35 to 19. The necessary two-thirds were not 
secured. But the Senate adjourned sine die, without voting upon some of 
the articles of charge. Hence the Chief Justice entered a verdict of acquittal 
on the record. March 2, 1876, William W. Belknap, Secretary of War, was 
impeached on the charge of briberj' for appointments. He was acquitted. 

" Impending Crisis," a book by H. R. Helper, of North Carolina, 
appearing in 1857. It earnestly opposed slavery on economical grounds. 
The book was used as a campaign document by the Republican party in 
i860, and 140,000 copies were sold between 1857 and 1861. Helper purported 
to represent the sentiments of Southern non-slaveholding whites. 

Imports. The specie value of the imports from foreign countries in 1791 
was $29,200,000. In 1807, just before the embargo, it was $138,500,000. 
By 1814 it had sunk to only $13,000,000, but rose to $147,000,000 in 1816. 
Reduced by the tariff act of that year, it again rose to $190,000,000 in 1836, 
just before the crash of 1837. In 1857 it was $361,000,000; in 1867, $418,- 
000,000; in 1877, $492,000,000; in 1887, $752,000,000; in 1892, $897,000,000. 

Impost Amendment. (See Revenue Scheme.) 

Impressment. For many years prior to the breaking out of the War of 
1812 the Britisli Go\-ernment claimed the right of stopping and searching^ 
American vessels, and impressing into the British service British seamen who 
happened to be serving under the American flag. Great Britain refused to 
allow the right of expatriation and change of allegiance by naturalization. 
She was then engaged in war with France and accordingly claimed the 
services of all her maritime citizens, no matter what ceremonies of natural- 
ization they miglit have undergone abroad. Hence many American sailors 
were wilfulh' impressed. Tliis grievance aided in a large measure in bringing 
about the embargo system and the War of 181 2. 

Income Tax. But one income tax lias been imposed by the Federal 
Government, and it arose from the necessities of the Government incident 
to the Rebellion. August 5, 1S61, Congress authorized a tax of three per 
cent on all incomes over $800 per annum. In July, 1862, an act was passed 
taxing all incomes under $5000 five per cent, with an exemption of $600 
and house-rent actually paid. Incomes in excess of $5000 and under $10,000 
were taxed two and one-half per cent additional, and incomes over $10,000 
five per cent additional with no exemptions. Further taxes of five per cent 
on incomes of Americans living abroad and of one and one-half per cent on 
iucomes from United States securities were laid, these expiring in 1865. In 
1864 a special tax of five per cent was imposed on incomes above $600. A 
readjustment the same year imposed a five per cent tax on incomes between 
$600 and $5000; ten per cent on incomes above $5000. 



324 Dictionary of United States History. 

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, scene of the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence, July 4, 1776. The hall was begun in 1732 and completed in 1741. 
J. Kearsely was the architect, and E. Wooley the builder. It was first 
occupied as the Pennsylvania State House in October, 1735. The tower was 
built in 1750. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 also met here. 

Independent Treasury. Until 1840 the United States Government had 
never ventured to assume entire control of its own funds, depending in a 
great measure upon the two successive banks of the United States, and 
various State banks selected by the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit- 
ories. The creation of an independent or sub-treasur}- system was an out- 
come of the panic of 1837. President Van Buren's message to Congress 
that year strongly recommended such a system. Silas Wright, of New York, 
submitted a sub-treasury bill, which prohibited Government agents from 
Teceiving anything but gold and silver. Finally, in 1840, the bill became a 
law, and sub-treasuries were created at New York, Boston, Charleston and 
St. Louis, the mint at Philadelphia and the branch mint at New Orleans 
"being also made places of deposit. The Whigs and some Democrats were 
violently opposed to this system, and effected its repeal in 1841 in favor of 
the national banking system. It again became a law in 1846 under Polk, 
and has continued since. 

Independents, the name given in England to those who favored that fomi 
of church government which in America is called Congregational; so called 
from the independence of one church from all others, which prevails under 
their system. The English Independents of the Commonwealth period 
were in close relations with the Puritan colonists of New England. 

Independents, in recent politics, men indei^endent of both the Republican 
and the Democratic parties; more especially applied in 1884 to those Repub- 
licans who " bolted " the nomination of Blaine. 

Indian Affairs, Commissioner of. In 1S32 Congress authorized the Presi- 
dent to appoint a commissioner who, imder the direction of the Secretary 
of War, should have general superintendence of all Indian affairs. These 
affairs had formerly been managed by War Department clerks. Since 1849 
this commissioner has been under the direction of the Secretary of the 
Interior. 

Indian Bible. In 1661 John Eliot, an English missionar\' among the 
Massachusetts Indians, published through the Cambridge press the first 
edition of the New Testament, which he had translated into the Indian 
dialect. The whole Bible appeared three years later, and second editions of 
both were published, the former in 1680, the latter in 1685. Eliot was 
assisted in the publication of the second edition by John Cotton, of Ply- 
mouth, son of the Boston minister. Eliot drew from the Scriptures a frame 
of government for the commonwealth and for the Indians, but these were 
suppressed as reflecting on the kingly government. Eliot's " Indian Bible" 
is now one of the most valued of rarities. 

Indian Territory is a portion of the public land of the United States 
which has been set apart for various tribes of Indians who have been moved 



Dictionary of United States History. 325 

thither from various portions of the United States. Jefferson first suggested 
such a territory, and on June 30, 1834, an Act of Congress set apart for the 
use of the Indians all the country west of the Mississippi which was not 
included within Missouri, Louisiana and Arkansas. This has been diminished 
by the organization of various States and Territories, so that at present 
(1894) the area is only about 25,000 square miles. The principal tribes are 
the Cherokees, Choctaws, Creeks and Chickasaws. During the Civil War 
many of the tribes made treaties with the Confederate States. In 1870, an 
attempt was made to organize a State. In 1866, the Indians agreed ta 
grant the right of way through their land to railroads. Agents of the 
United States live among the Indians and protect them from encroachments 
from the whites. The United States has jurisdiction over all cases in which 
a white man is a party. Sale of intoxicating liquors is prohibited. In 
1881-82 attempts were made by " boomers" from Kansas to force their way 
into the Territory. An Act of Congress of May 2, 1890, erected the unoc- 
cupied portion of the Territory into a separate Territory to be called Okla- 
homa. The population of the Territory is about 75,000. 

Indiana, a State of the Union, often called the Hoosier State, was formed 
from the Northwest Territory. The first settlement was made at Vincennes 
in 1702, by the French. This place was captured by Clark during the 
American Revolution. After the erection of Ohio as a separate Territory, 
the Northwest was called Indiana, with Vincennes its capital. In 1805 and 
1809, the Territories of Michigan and Illinois were organized as separate 
Territories. November 7, 181 1, General Harrison defeated the Indians at 
Tippecanoe. December 11, 1816, Indiana became a State. Slavery was 
forbidden by the Ordinance of 1787, by which the Northwest was organ- 
ized. Except in 1836 and 1840, the electoral votes were cast for Democratic 
candidates until i860, when Lincoln carried the State, since which date the 
Republicans have failed in but one Presidential election, that of 1876, until 
1884. The Democrats have carried the State in the elections of 1874, 1876, 
1878, 1882, 1884, 1890, 1892. The i3resent Constitution was made in 1851. 
The population of the State in 1816 was 63,805; in 1890 it was 2,192,404- 
History by Dunn. 

Indiana, Historical Society of, founded in 1831. Its publications have 
been few. 

" Indiana Gazette," first newspaper of Indiana, published in 1804 at Vin- 
cennes, Knox County, by Elihu Stout. Its office was burned in 1806. 

Indianapolis, Ind., settled in 1819. It became the capital of the State in 
1828, and received a city charter in 1847. 

Indians. The Indians were so called from the original supposition made 
that their land was India. When Englishmen came to this country there 
were probably about as manj- Indians in it as now, — from two hundred to 
three hundred thousand. They were divided into tribes. In the Northern 
part of the United States these tribes were either of the Algonquin or of the 
Iroquois race; in the South, either of that which is called Mobilian or of the 
Natchez. Their tribal government was loose and weak. They had chief- 
tains, but these had little real power. Confederacies of tribes were sometimes 



326 Dictionary of United States History. 

formed, but did not usually last beyond a single war. The Indian was 
in general in the hunting and fishing stage of civilization. His relations 
•with the settlers were more frequently hostile than friendly, which caused 
settlement to be more compact than in Spanish-American regions, where 
the aborigines were less warlike. There was also much trade with the 
Indian, especially in furs. Likewise there was some effort to convert the 
Indians to Christianity, though these efforts on the part of the English and 
Protestant colonies were lamentably small when compared with the work of 
the French Jesuits. (See Praying Indians.) On their part the Indians 
learned something of civilization, especially in the articles of fire-arms and 
fire-water. For individual wars and tribes, see articles under their names. 

Ingalls, John J., born in 1S33, was admitted to the bar in 1857. He was 
a member of the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention in 1859. He was 
Secretary of the Kansas Council in i860. Secretary of the State Senate in 
1861 and a member in 1862. He served in the U. S. Senate as a Republican 
from 1873 to 1891. He was an able debater. 

Ingersoll, Charles J. (1782-1862), represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1813 to 1815 and from 1841 to 1847. He was 
District Attorney from 1815 to 1829. He wrote a history of the War of 1812. 

Ingersoll, Jared (1749-1822), was a delegate from Pennsylvania to the 
Continental Congress from 1780 to 1781. He was a member of the conven- 
tion which framed the Federal Constitution in 1787. He was twice chosen 
Attorney-General of Pennsylvania and was U. S. District Attorney for Eastern 
Pennsylvania. He was defeated as Federal candidate for Vice-President of 
the United States in 181 2. 

Ingersoll, Joseph R. (1786-1868), was a Whig Representative to Congress 
from Pennsylvania from 1835 to 1837 and from 1843 ^o 1849. He was Min- 
ister to England from 1852 to 1857. 

Ingersoll, Ralph I. (1788-1872), was a prominent member of the Con- 
necticut Legislature from 1819 to 1825, a Democratic Representative to Con- 
gress from 1825 to 1833, and Minister to Russia from 1846 to 1848. 

Ingersoll, Robert G., was born in 1833. He served in the Civil War as a 
colonel. In 1866 he was appointed Attorney-General of Illinois. He was 
counsel for the defence for the " Star route " conspirators, who were acquitted 
in 1883. He is a popular Republican campaign orator. He is well known 
for his attacks upon the Christian religion. 

Ingham, Samuel D. (i 779-1 860), represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1813 to 1818, and from 1822 to 1829. He was 
Secretary' of the Treasury from 1829 to 1831 in Jackson's Cabinet. 

Ingle, Richard, born early in the seventeenth century, usurped the govern- 
ment of Maryland in 1645, i^ revenge for the seizure of his ship by the 
royalist Governor in 1642. 

Ingraham, Duncan N. (1802-1891), entered the U. S. navy in 1812. 
While commander of the " St. Louis " in the Mediterranean, in 1853, he 
secured the liberation of Martin Koszta, a prospective American citizen, who 



Dictionary of United States History. 327 

had been seized by Greeks at Smyrna at the instigation of Austrian officials. 
In 1 861 he was appointed chief of ordnance, construction and repair in the 
Confederate nav)'. 

Inman, Henry (i 801-1846), of New York, achieved his greatest success 
as an American artist in portrait painting. Among his portraits are those 
of William Wirt, De Witt Clinton, Halleck, Van Buren, Seward and 
William Penn. 

Interior Department, created by law in 1849, ^^^ called in the title of 
the act the Home Department. Its functions were formerly distributed 
among the departments of State, Treasury, War and Navy. These func- 
tions are the regulation of patents, copyrights, the census, public docu- 
ments, public lands, mines, mining, judicial accounts, Indian affairs, bureau 
of education, etc. 

Internal Improvements, at Federal Expense. The Constitution did not 
provide for internal improvements, hence they have become a party ques- 
tion. Since 1789 money has been steadily appropriated by Congress for 
improvements lying strictly within Federal jurisdiction, as for light-houses, 
buoys, beacons and public piers. The first actual appropriation for other 
internal improvement was in 1806, when a sum was appropriated for the 
construction of the Cumberland Road, which should penetrate the Western 
States and be the means of transmitting emigrants and mails in time of 
peace, and troops in time of war. About the same time a road was begun 
through Georgia on the route to New Orleans. Congress passed a resolution 
in 1818, declaring its power to appropriate money for the construction of 
roads and canals, and for the improvement of water-courses. March 3, 
1823, the first act for harbor improvement passed Congress. April 13, 1824, 
$30,000 was appropriated for the survey of such roads and canals as the 
President should deem of national importance, and $300,000 was subscribed 
to the stock of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. In May, 1822, Presi- 
dent IMonroe vetoed the Cumberland Road Bill, declaring that Congress had 
no power under the Constitution to carry out a system of internal improve- 
ments at Federal expense. This, and Jackson's veto of the Maysville Turn- 
pike Road Bill in 1830, threw the matter into the hands of the States. But 
see River and Harbor Acts. 

Internal Revenue. The receipts from internal revenue steadily rose during 
the period from 1791 to 1801, reaching $1,000,000 in the latter year. They 
then declined to almost nothing. In the War of 181 2 they rose again, reach- 
ing $5,000,000 in i8t6; and again declined to nothing in 1849 and the subse- 
quent years to 1862. Under the new system then inaugurated they rose to 
$309,000,000 in 1866, and have been above $100,000,000 in every year since 
($154,000,000 in 1892). 

Interstate Commerce Commission, a commission appointed by Act of 
Congress Febniary 4, 1887. It has jurisdiction of rates on interstate traffic, 
and can inquire into the management of the business of all common carriers 
subject to the provisions of " An act to regulate commerce." 

Interstate Commerce Law. In 1884 Representative Reagan, of Texas, 
submitted a bill to the House for the regulation of interstate commerce, and 



328 Dictionary of United States History. 

about the same time a similar bill was proposed in the Senate. Both bills 
failed. Thereafter yearly debates took place concerning these and similar 
bills, until, February 4, 1887, the Reagan bill was finally passed and approved. 
It provides for the appointment of a commission, consisting of five persons, 
who shall see to it that railroad and other such companies establish and pre- 
serve a just and uniform rate of transportation. This particularly affects 
such corporations as control continuous lines from one State to another, 
either by land or by water, or both. The law has been ver>' effective in pre- 
venting gross discriminations in charges for freight and issuing of passes. 

Inventions. The American gift for invention is remarkable, and has been 
much stimulated by our patent system. On the whole, the most important 
inventions may be said to have been: Whitney's invention of the cotton gin 
in 1793; McCormick's reaper, patented in 1834; the steam hammer in 1838; 
Goodyear's method of vulcanizing rubber (1B39); the telegraph, brought into 
use in 1844; the sewing machine (1846); the power loom (1846); the surgical 
use of anaesthetics (1846); the rotary printing press (1847); the telephone 
about 1876 and more recently the phonograph. 

Iowa, one of the United States, was formed from the territory obtained 
from France by the purchase of Louisiana. Its name, signifying the beauti- 
ful country, is derived from the river of the same name. The first settle- 
ment in the State was made by Dubuque, a Frenchman from Canada, in 1788, 
on the site of the city which now bears his name. After the organization 
of Missouri, in 1820, the territory to the north was neglected by Congress 
until 1834, when it was made a part of Michigan. In 1836 it was added to 
the Wisconsin Territory, and in 1838 the Territory of Iowa was created. 
Application for admission as a State was refused by Congress until Decem- 
ber 28, 1846, when Iowa became a State. From 1846 to 1854 the State was 
solidly Democratic. Since 1854 the Republicans have controlled the State 
until the election of Boies as Governor in 1889. In 1882 an amendment 
to the State Constitution prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating 
liquors was adopted by a large popular majority, but was declared void because 
of informalities in its passage. The present Constitution was made in 1857. 
The population of Iowa in 1846 was 81,920, in 1890 it was 1,911,896. 

Iowa, Historical Society of, founded in 1857. It published "Annals" 
from 1862 to 1875 and from 18S2 to 1884, and the " Iowa Historical Record " 
since 1885. 

Iredell, James (1750-1799), came to America from England in 1767. He 
was a Judge of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 1777 to 1778. 
He was a commissioner to revise the laws of the State from 1787 to 1791. 
He was a leader of the Federalists in the North Carolina Convention of 
17S8, and was appointed a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court in 1790. 
Life by McRee. 

Ireland, John, born in 1827, was a member of the Te.xas Secession Con- 
vention of 1861. He was a Judge of the Texas vSupreme Court from 1875 
to 1882, and was elected Governor of the State in 1882 and 1884. 

Iron. The first iron manufactured in the United States was forged at the 
bloomery of the Virginia Company, on the James River, in 1622. This 



Dictionary of United States History. 329 

foundry was burned by the Indians. The Massachusetts Bay colonists 
erected a foundry at Lynn in 1631. John Winthrop, Jr., built a blast 
furnace at Hammersmith in 1644, and works at Braintree two years later. 
In 1702 a successful furnace was established at Plymouth, pig-iron being 
obtained chiefly from Pennsylvania. In 1732 there were four furnaces in 
successful operation in Virginia between the Potomac and Rappahannock 
Rivers. The iron manufactured there was exported to England, but the 
Massachusetts trade in iron was almost wholly domestic. The Ancram 
Works, built in New York in 1740, to use Salisbury ore, made, between 
1750 and 1756, 3318 tons of pig-iron and 1302 tons of bar iron. It was 
here that the great chain, weighing 186 tons, which was stretched across the 
Hudson in 1778, was forged in six weeks. The first iron works of Penn- 
sylvania were established on the Schuylkill in 1717. The Revolution gave 
a great impetus to the iron trade. Rolling mills for the manufacture of 
steel rails were first used in 1840 at the Mount Savage Works and at the 
Great Western Works. Since then the manufacture of iron and particularly 
of steel has made wonderful progress. The Bessemer steel made in this 
country is considered most excellent. The Carnegie system, consisting of the 
enormous works at Homestead, Pa., and a number of minor plants, the 
Bethlehem Steel and Iron Company, of Bethlehem, Pa., have been unusually 
successful in the manufacture of steel rails and platings, the latter plant 
having received the contracts for the steel plates of many of the United States 
war-ships. Many flourishing iron and steel works are now in operation in 
most of the Northern and Middle States, notably Pennsylvania, and in some 
Southern States. The annual output is enormous. In 1890 the United 
States produced 18,000,000 tons of iron ore, 9,202,703 tons of pig-iron and 
4,277,071 tons of steel. 

"Ironsides, Old," the popular name for the frigate " Constitution," a 
name made additionally famous by Dr. Holmes' poem. 

Iroquois, or Six Nations, an Indian confederation occupying Central 
New York, and consisting when first known, of the Mohawks, Oneidas, 
Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas. Later the Tuscaroras were added. In 
the seventeenth century they carried on extensive hostilities against the 
French and suffered severe losses. They allied themselves with the Dutch 
and subsequently with the English, though they afterward joined Pontiac. 
Peace was restored, but in 1774 a part of the western bands took up arms 
against the whites. During the Revolution the Iroquois, with the exception 
of those in Canada, favored England. They fought against the colonists and 
committed extensive ravages. At the close of the war nearly all emigrated 
to Canada, except the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, with whom the Government 
made a treaty in 1784. In 1785 and 1788, the Indians began to cede lands. 
In the War of 181 2, the English and American Iroquois were arrayed 
against each other, but peace was soon restored. The tribes became scattered, 
some going west and still others seeking their relatives in Canada. 

Irrepressible Conflict, an expression first used by William H. Seward in 
an address at Rochester, New York, October 28, 1858, in reference to the 
inevitable clash between freedom and slavery. 



330 Dictionary of United States History. 

Irving, Washington (1783-1859), born in New York, spent a large part 
of his life abroad. In 1807, in copartnership with his brother, he established 
the Sabnagimdi. In 1808 he published his "Knickerbocker History of 
New York." In 1819 appeared the "Sketch Book," which proved a great 
success. This was followed by " Tales of a Traveler," " Life of Columbus," 
which is his best historical work, " The Conquest of Granada," and " The 
Alhambra." From 1829 to 1832 he was Secretary of Legation in London. 
He served as Minister to Spain from 1842 to 1846. His greatest work is a 
"Life of Washington" in five volumes (1855). He is one of the most 
popular of American authors. His productions are marked by ease and 
grace rather than by originality. 

Irwinsville, Ga., scene of the capture. May 11, 1865, of Jefferson Davis, 
President of the Confederacy, by Colonels Harnden and Pritchard, who had 
been dispatched in pursuit of the fleeing President after the surrender of 
Lee's and Johnston's army. There was no bloodshed, except the accidental 
killing of two Federal soldiers by their comrades. 

Isaac Case (1839), a fugitive slave case, in which the Governor of New 
York refused to arrest three colored men charged by the Governor of Virginia 
with abetting a slave's escape. He maintained that this was not a crime in 
New York. 

Island No. 10, Mississippi River, had been fortified by General Polk, 
Confederate, and was commanded by General Mackall with about 8000 troops 
of Beauregard's army. It was bombarded three weeks by Commodore 
Foote, commanding seven Federal gunboats, and surrendered April 8, 1862. 
The evacuation was forced by Pope with a large land force. He, under 
cover of a vigorous fire from two gunboats, which had run past the island 
by night, brought his men across the river in transports. The defenders 
of the batteries fled, and were pursued into the swamps. Nearly 7000 
prisoners were taken, together with an immense quantity of ammunition 
and supplies. 

Italy. The United States was prompt to recognize the new kingdom of 
Italy, and in 1868 a consular convention was concluded, and another in 1878, 
which were both superseded by that of 188 1. A commercial convention was 
concluded in 1871. Extradition conventions were concluded in 1868 and 
1884. The murder of Italian citizens in New Orleans in 1890 and the refusal 
of the U. S. Government to interfere with the course of State judicial pro- 
cedure led to the temporary withdrawal of the Italian Minister, but though 
none were brought to justice, diplomatic relations were soon restored. 

" Itata." During the struggle between the President and Congress of 
Chili, in 1891, the "Itata," Congressional cruiser, put in at San Diego, Cal., 
for supplies of ammunition. Violation of United States neutrality was 
alleged and an officer seized the vessel. The " Itata " put him ashore and 
escaped. Pursued by the "Charleston" it surrendered. But a United 
States court has since decided that its arrest was unwarranted. 

luka. Miss., an encampment of several thousand Confederate troops under 
General Price. Grant sent Rosecrans with 9000 men to destroy Price's 
army and prevent his co-operation with Bragg. Rosecrans, after some delay, 



Dictionary of United States History. 331 

attacked the Confederates and a fierce battle followed, September 19-20, 
1862, both sides losing heavily. At night the Federals lay down on their 
arms, expecting to renew the fight next day, but the Confederates moved 
during the night. Rosecrans pursued, but did not overtake them. 

Iverson, Alfred (1798-1873), represented Georgia in the U. S. Congress as 
a Democrat from 1847 to 1849 and from 1855 to 1861. He was also a 
brigadier-general in the Confederate army. 

Izard, George (1777-1828), was commissioned major-general in 1814 for 
services in the War of 1812. He was Governor of Arkansas Territory from 
1825 to 1828. 

Izard, Ralph (1742-1804), was a commissioner to Tuscany from 1776 to 
1779, and resided at Paris. He pledged his estate as secnrit}' for a Govern- 
mental debt during the Revolutionary War. He represented South Carolina 
in the Continental Congress from 1781 to 17S3. He was a U. S. Senator 
from 1789 to 1795. He was able and eloquent, but possessed an uncontrol- 
lable temper. 

J. 

Jackson, Andrew (March 15, 1767-June 8, 1845), seventh President of 
the United States, was born on the border of North and South Carolina. 
He began his military career at the early age of thirteen at the battle of 
Hanging Rock; occupations of a miscellaneous nature followed, and in 
1788 he was public prosecutor in the western district of North Carolina, 
now Tennessee. He was in 1796-1797 the first Congressman from the State 
of Tennessee, and in 1797-1798 was U. S. Senator. From 1798 to 1804 he 
was a Judge of the State Supreme Court. His life as a planter, not infre- 
quently chequered with disputes and duels, was broken by the War of 1812. 
Jackson, " Old Hickor\-," as he was called, commanded the Southwestern 
troops against the Creeks, whom he overwhelmed at the Horse-Shoe Bend 
of the Tallapoosa, March 27, 1814. He was made a major-general, stonned 
Pensacola, and held New Orleans against Pakenham's invasion. The sweep- 
ing victory, January' 8, 1S15, of his riflemen over the flower of the Penin- 
sular army, made Jackson for all time an American hero of the country in 
general and of the Democratic party in particular. General Jackson's 
actions in Florida, capture of St. Marks in 181 8, and summary execution 
of two British subjects, led to considerable discussion. He was appointed 
Governor of Florida in 1821, and became U. S. Senator in 1823. In 1824 
he received ninety-nine electoral votes for President, but was beaten in the 
House of Representatives. (See Adams, J. Q.) Elected in 1828 over the 
President, he entered office in 1829, the first Representative of the new West 
and of the " masses." In his Cabinet, outside of Van Buren, there were few 
names of note; Jackson's real advisers were a coterie of practical politicians, 
Lewis, Kendall and others of the so-called " Kitchen Cabinet." In 1831 he 
reorganized his Cabinet, and the next year was re-elected over Clay. The 
chief features of his eight years, 1829-1837, were his vigorous opposition to 
nullification and to the United States Bank, his censure by the Senate, his 
introduction of the " Spoils System," his settlement of the French spoliation 



332 Dictionary of United States History. 

dispute, and his "Specie Circular" of 1836. After his retirement he 
continued to be regarded as the leader of the party, and died at the " Her- 
mitage," near Nashville. Jackson was of heroic character, but headstrong, 
arbitrary, vindictive and subject to the influence of politicians. Lives by 
Parton and W. G. Sumner. 

Jackson, Francis J. (1770-1814), known as "Copenhagen Jackson," suc- 
ceeded Erskine as Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States, when the 
conflict between the British ship " Leopard " and the U. S. " Chesapeake " 
was in dispute. He returned in 1811, his character not having been such 
as to promote mutual accommodation of diSerences. 

Jackson, Helen (Maria Fiske) Hunt (1831-1885), authoress, after the 
death of her husband, Edwin B. Hunt, in 1863, began writing prose and 
poetry for periodicals under the pen-name of H. H. Li 1876 she married 
William S. Jackson. She was appointed special commissioner to the Mission 
Indians of California by President Arthur in 1883, as a consequence of her 
special interest in them, as shown by her writings, e. g., " Ramona " and 
" A Century of Dishonor." 

Jackson, Howell E. (1832-1895). He served in the Tennessee Legisla- 
ture in 1880. He represented Tennessee in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat 
from 1881 to 1886, when he was appointed a U. S. Circuit Judge. In 1895 
he was appointed by President Harrison a Justice of the Supreme Court. 

Jackson, Thomas Jonathan (1824-1863), a native of Virginia, was gradu- 
ated at West Point in 1846, in time to see service in the Mexican War. He 
taught in the Virginia Military Institute, and was, like so many other West 
Pointers, lifted by the Rebellion from obscurity. Having sided with the 
Confederacy he was intrusted with a brigade, whose firm stand at the first 
battle of Bull Run led to its commander's epithet, " Stonewall Jackson." 
His military fame was well grounded by the extraordinary rapidity of his 
movements in the Shenandoah campaign of 1862, where he outgeneraled 
the Federals Fremont, Banks and others, gained the battles of Front Royal, 
May 23, Winchester, May 25, Cross Keys, June 8, and Port Republic, June 9. 
Hastily joining Lee before Richmond, he decided the victory at Gaines' 
Mills, June 27. On August 9 he defeated the Federals at Cedar Creek. His 
bold march ended in the victory over Pope at the second battle of Bull Run. 
In the invasion he seized Harper's Ferry September 15, and commanded the 
left wing at Antietam. At Fredericksburg he led the right wing of Lee's 
army, and at Chancellorsville May 2, 1863, his flanking movement around 
Hooker's right resulted in success. But " Stonewall " Jackson was by mis- 
take shot by his own men in this battle and died a few days later. 

Jackson, William (1759-1828), major, entered a South Carolina regiment 
in 1775. He fought at Stono, Savannah and Charleston. He was secretary 
to the convention which framed the Federal Constitution in 1787, his notes 
of which are preserved. 

Jackson, Fort, La., a Confederate stronghold on the south of the bend in 
the Mississippi River. It was garrisoned by a small force imder the com- 
mand of General Duncan, and was bombarded during Farragut's expedition 
against New Orleans, finally surrendering to General Butler, April 27, 1862. 



Dictionary of United vStates History. 333 

Jackson City, Miss., scene of a battle and sack during the Civil War. 
The battle took place May 14, 1863, between McPherson's division of Grant's 
army then operating along the Mississippi River, and a South Carolina 
brigade of Johnston's army, commanded by Walker. Crocker's troop bore 
the brunt of this fight, defeating the Confederates by their impetuous and 
untiring charges. The latter fled to their defences in the town, but were 
shelled out of these by Sherman. July 10-17, after the fall of Vicksburg, 
Johnston had again retreated to his intrenchments. There he was invested 
by Sherman's troops, who partially surrounded the town and opened fire 
upon it. Ammunition gave out, however, and Johnston, taking advantage 
of a lull, destroyed as much of the town as he could and retreated under 
cover of a dense fog, July 17. 

Jacobin Clubs. (See Democratic Societies.) 

James I. (1566-1625), King of Great Britain from 1603 to 1625, granted, 
April 10, 1606, to a company of London merchants, a patent for the coloni- 
zation of America. Of this company were formed the Virginia and Plymouth 
Companies, the efforts of the latter failing totally. The Virginia Company 
was granted a charter to establish a plantation between 41° and 34° north 
latitude, the Plymouth between 45° and 38°. The first settlement made by 
the Virginia Company was at Jamestown in 1607. The persecutions of the 
Separatists in England caused a body of that sect to obtain a grant of land 
from the Virginia Company. These Pilgrims intended to settle between the 
Hudson and the Delaware, but storms drove them to the north, and they 
established the Plymouth colony in 1620. The king permitted this, but 
would not give a special charter. He became hostile to the Virginia Com- 
pany, and in 1624 brought it to an end by quo warranto proceedings. 

James II. (1633-1701), King of Great Britain from 1685 to 1688, had in 
1664, as Duke of York, received from his brother, Charles H., a proprietary 
grant of New Netherland, then recently conquered from the Dutch. Under 
his authority was promulgated the code called the " Duke's Laws.'' His 
grant included all the territory between the Connecticut and the Delaware, 
Long Island, Eastern Maine, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. As king, 
he adopted a policy for annulling the colony charters and solidifying the 
English possessions in America. Sir Edmund Andros was sent over in 1686 
with orders to ignore all colonial political machinery and to govern the 
country through a council. The charters of Connecticut and Rhode Island 
were immediately demanded for annullment, the latter colony only comply- 
ing. In 1688 Andros was made Governor of New York and New Jersey, as 
well as New England, his jurisdiction extending from Delaware Bay to the 
confines of New France. 

James, Henry, novelist, born in 1843, son of Henry James, theologian, 
was educated in Europe, and has lived there during many of the years since. 
He is noted as a writer of cosmopolitan spirit, graceful style, subtle insight 
and realistic tendency. His novels mostly have to do with the life of Ameri- 
cans in Europe. 

James, Thomas L., born in New York in 1831, edited the Democratic 
Republican from 1856 to 1866. While postmaster of New York, from 1873 



334 Dictionary of United States History. 

to 1 88 1, he inaugurated many reforms. He was appointed Postmaster- 
General in Garfield's Cabinet in 1881, and served until Arthur's administra- 
tion in 1882. He introduced thorough reform in the postal service. 

James Island, S. C, scene of two brief engagements during the Civil 
War. In the first, which occurred June 10, 1862, during the advance of the 
Federals under Hunter against Charleston, Lamar, holding the island with 
25,000 Confederates, easily defeated, at Secessionville, and drove from the 
island, Benham, leading 6000 Federals. In the second, July 16, 1863, Terry, 
who had made a lodgment upon the island with a small force, was expelled 
by the Confederates under Hagood. Terry's movement was a feint to draw 
the Confederates' attention from Fort Wagner, on Morris Island, in an assault 
upon which he intended to join General Gillmore. 

Jameson, John A. (1824-1890), publicist, was Judge of the Chicago 
Superior Court from 1865 to 1883. He was author of "The Constitutional 
Convention: its History, Powers and Modes of Proceeding," a standard work. 

Jamestown, Va., first English settlement in the United States, was 
founded in 1607 by 105 colonists under Christopher Newport. During the 
first season the colony was saved from destruction by the efforts of Captain 
John Smith. On July 30, 1619, the first colonial assembly in America was 
held here. On March 22, 1622, several hundred colonists were massacred 
by the natives. The town was burned in 1676 during Bacon's rebellion. 
In 1699 it ceased to be the capital. 

Japan. The United States was among the first of foreign powers to 
obtain rights of intercourse with Japan. Commodore Perry concluded a 
treaty of friendship and commerce March 31, 1854. The rights of Ameri- 
cans in Japan were further extended by the Convention of 1857, and a still 
more extensive treaty was concluded in 1858, by which the former treaties 
were partially or wholly abrogated. In i860 a Japanese embassy was sent 
to the United States. By the Convention of October 22, 1S64, Japan agreed 
to pay an indemnity of ^3,000,000 to the United States, Great Britain, 
France and the Netherlands for damages. (See " Shimonoseki.") The share 
of the United States was re'turued to Japan in 1883. Commercial treaties 
were concluded in 1866 and 1878, the latter not now binding. An extradi- 
tion treaty was signed April 29, 1886. 

Jasper, William (i 750-1 779), enlisted in a vSouth Carolina regiment in 
1776. In the attack of Fort Moultrie he exposed himself to the fire of the 
enemy in order to recover the State flag, which had been shot from the par- 
apet. He was very successful in detachment service. He was mortally 
wounded in the assault on Savannah. 

"Java," frigate. (See "Constitution.") 

Jay, John (December 12, 1745-May 17, 1829), Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court, was born in New York City, of Huguenot descent. He graduated at 
King's (Columbia) College in 1766, and in the Revolutionary period was promi- 
nent on the patriotic side as a member of the Committee of Correspondence. 
As delegate to the first Continental Congress of 1774 he was an author of 
the " Address to the People of Great Britain." He was a member of the 



Dictionary of United States History. 335 

Second Congress, and as delegate to the New York Convention lie helped in 
::r.?r*'ri£ ne State Constitution. In 1777 he was Chief Justice of the State. 
In 1780 he became Minister to Spain, and was soon associated with Adams 
and Franklin in negotiating the peace; Jay's services in this treaty were con- 
spicuous. During the years 1 784-1 789 he was Secretary of Foreign Affairs. 
With Hamilton and Madison he wrote the Federalist^ of which five essays are 
indisputably by Jay. He was a member of the New York Convention of 
17S8 which ratified the Constitution, and in 1789 Washington appointed him 
first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1792 he was the unsuccessful 
Federalist candidate for Governor of New York. In 1794 Jay was sent as 
special envoy to England to negotiate the treaty which, under the name of 
the "Jay Treaty," became an object of such fierce abuse. His last public 
service was as Governor of New York, 1 795-1 801. Life by William Jay. 

Jay, John, (1817-1S94), was Minister to Austria from 1869 to 1875. 
From 1 883 to 1887 he was a member of the New York Civil Service Com- 
mission. He has published many influential anti-slavery, legal, political and 
historical pamphlets. 

Jay, William (i 789-1 858), son of John Jay, was a Judge of the Westchester 
County Court, N. Y., from 1818 to 1843. He devoted his efforts to the aboli- 
tion of slavery and war. He published a " Life of John Jay," a " View of 
the Action of the Federal Government in Behalf of Slavery," " War and 
Peace " and " Causes and Consequences of the Mexican War." 

Jay Treaty, a treaty concluded in 1794 by John Jay and Lord Grenville, 
representing the United States and Great Britain respectively. The treaty 
provided for peace and friendship between the two countries; an evacuation 
of the British posts in the United States by June, 1796; free commercial and 
Indian intercourse on the American continent; unrestricted navigation of 
the Mississippi; indemnity by England to American citizens for recent 
unlawful captures; corresponding indemnity by America for certain Genet cap- 
tures of 1793, by privateers fitted out in our ports; and a limited trade between 
the United States and the British West Indies, by which our carrying trade 
was sadly curtailed. The treaty was generally unpopular in this country. 

Jay-hawkers, guerrilla bands which carried on an irregular warfare in and 
around Eastern Kansas during the early part of the Civil War and before that 
time. 

Jefferson, Joseph, actor, born in 1829, was employed in strolling theatre 
companies from 1S32 to 1850. He made his first success as " Asa Trench- 
ard " in " Our American Cousin." He has won his greatest fame as an 
actor by his rendering of Rip Van Winkle. His acting is marked by variety, 
vivacity and naturalness. 

Jefferson, Martha Wayles (1748-17S2), born in Virginia, widow of Bath- 
urst Skelton, became the wife of Thomas Jefferson in 1772. She was care- 
fully educated, beautiful and accomplished, and a devoted wife. 

Jefferson, Thomas (April 2, 1743-July 4, 1826), third President of the 
United States, was born at Shadwell, Albemarle Count}-, Va. He was gradu- 
ated at William and Mary College, studied law, and entered upon its practice 



336 Dictionary of United States History. 

and the care of his estate. In 1769 he entered the House of Burgesses, and 
became active in the Revolutionary agitation; but his activity then and later 
was as a writer rather than as a speaker. He drafted the instructions to the 
Virginia delegates to the first Continental Congress, and was in consequence 
proscribed in Great Britain. As a delegate to the second Continental Con- 
gress he is of course chiefly remembered for his draft of the Declaration of 
Independence. Soon after signing that document he left Congress to 
re-enter the Virginia Legislature, where he labored strenuously for democratic 
reforms in the laws respecting the church and the descent of landed property. 
While Governor of Virginia, 1779-1781, he was called upon to resist the 
Briti-sh invasion of the State. He was again in the Legislature, and for a 
short time in Congress. In 1784 he went to France as Plenipotentiary, and 
there wrote his " Notes on Virginia," and observed the outbreak of the 
Revolution. At the end of 1789 Jefferson returned to America, and entered 
upon his duties as Secretary' of State in Washington's first Cabinet. In the 
ensuing years he became the central figure in the Democratic-Republican 
party which was fonning in opposition to the Federalists. Hamilton, ablest 
of the Federalist leaders, was also in the Cabinet, and between the two 
divergence of views developed into continual disputes. Jefferson finally 
resigned in 1794. The great party of which he was the head gave him, in 
1796, almost as many electoral votes as were given to Adams. He became 
accordingly Vice-President. At this epoch he prepared a "Manual of 
Parliamentary Practice," was president of the Philosophical Society, and 
drafted the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798. In the election of 1800— 1 801 
Jefferson's party defeated Adams and the Federalists, but the defective pro- 
visions of the Constitution gave to Jefferson and Burr seventy-three electoral 
votes each, and there was no election; the House of Representatives accord- 
ingly took up the matter, and a bitter struggle ended in the choice of 
Jefferson for first place. In his Cabinet Madison was Secretary of State, 
Gallatin of the Treasury, Dearborn of War, Robert Smith of the Navy, and 
Lincoln Attornej'-General. His administration was marked by the aboli- 
tion of some usages of an aristocratic nature, by the Tripolitan War, the 
Louisiana Purchase (which see), the Lewis and Clark expedition, the 
" Chesapeake " incident, and the Embargo. (See Embargo.) President 
Jefferson was re-elected in 1804, and retired from ofl&ce in 1809, but con- 
tinued to be regarded as the adviser of the party. He was interested in 
later life in plans for education in Virginia, and superintended the planting 
of the University of Virginia. He died at Monticello in his native State. 
His political theories have had more influence upon the public life of America 
than those of any other one man. There are biographies by H. S. Randall, 
Tucker, Parton, and a more recent life by Schouler. 

Jenkins Ferry, Ark. Here, April 30, 1864, while Steele, with a small 
Federal force, was attempting to cross the Saline River, Kirby Smith fell 
upon him. Steele turned and, ordering a counter charge, succeeded in dis- 
persing the Confederates. 

Jenkins, Thornton A., born in 181 1, served during the Mexican War. He 
commanded in Farragut's fleet from 1862 to 1865. He was chief of the 
Bureau of Navigation from 1865 to 1869. 



DrCTldNARY OF UNITED STATES HISTORY. 337 ' 

Jersey, East and ^A^est. (See New Jersey.) 

Jersey Prison Ship, an unseaworthy sixty-four-gun ship, lying off the 
Brooklyn shore of New York harbor from 1776 to 1783, and used by the 
British as a prison for captured American sailors. Their treatment was most 
inhuman. Eleven thousand are said to have died of cold and starvation. 

Jesuits. The efforts of the Jesuits to convert the Indians belong in general 
rather to the history of New France and Canada than to that of the United 
States. But their expeditions extended into the West, where they had mis- 
sionary establishments at Green Bay, Wisconsin, and elsewhere. In the two 
English colonies in which Catholics were tolerated, Pennsylvania and Mary- 
land, all the priests seem to have been Jesuits down to the suppression of 
that order by the Pope in 1773. 

Jesup, Thomas S. (1788-1860), born in Virginia, was brevetted colonel 
for services at Chippewa and Niagara in 1814. He was promoted major in 
1818. He commanded the army in Florida in 1836. 

Jewell, Marshall (1825-18S3), was elected Governor of Connecticut in 
1869, 1871 and 1872. He was Minister to Prussia from 1873 to 1874. In 
1874 he was appointed Postmaster-General; after introducing numerous 
reforms, he resigned in 1876. He was a member of the Republican National 
Convention in 1880, and was elected chairman of the National Republican 
Committee. 

Jews. Settlements began to be made by these people early iti the eight- 
eenth century in South Carolina and Georgia. About 1734 they began to 
come in considerable numbers to Georgia, but the trustees of the Oglethorpe 
grant objected to them, and promptly checked their immigration on religious 
grounds. In 1749 they had established a flourishing body at Charleston, and 
had built a meeting-house. By 1765 a small number had also established 
themselves at New York. Others settled at Newport. 

Jogues, Isaac (1607-1646), came to Canada from France in 1630, and 
spent his life among the Indians as a Jesuit missionary. He was twice 
taken captive by the Mohawk Indians, terribly tortured, and finally killed 
by them. 

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., was chartered in 1867, and 
named in honor of its principal benefactor, who bequeathed a fund of 
$3,000,000. It was intended especially for post-graduate work, and has 
done much for research. 

Johnson, Andrew (December 29, 1808-July 31, 1875), seventeenth Presi- 
dent of the United States, was born at Raleigh, N. C. He had no advan- 
tages of education, and was in early life a tailor; his energy triumphed over 
drawbacks, and in Tennessee, where he had settled, he became a member of 
the Legislature, and represented the vState in Congress in 1843- 1853. ^^ 
1853-57 he was Democratic Governor of the State, and immediately there- 
after was U. S. Senator, serving until 1862. He was a strong Unionist, and 
was by President Lincoln appointed military Governor of Tennessee in 1862. 
In 1864 he was selected by the Republicans for the second place on the 



338 Dictionary of United States History. 

ticket, was elected, and by the startling death of Lincoln he was lifted into 
national prominence. President Johnson took the oath of office April 15, 
1865. Though elected as a Republican he had never ceased to hold many 
Democratic principles; Congress was heavily Republican; their divergence 
of views, accented by Johnson's peculiarities of temper, caused a bitter 
quarrel between executive and Congress. The veto of the Freedmen's Bureau 
Bill and of the Civil Rights Bill in 1866, the veto of the Congressional 
plan of reconstruction and the Tenure of Office Bill in 1867 mark the stages 
of the controversy. In 1867 President Johnson suspended and then removed 
Secretary Stanton, and was forthwith impeached by the House of Represen- 
tatives. The trial before the Senate, March-May, 1868, resulted in his 
acquittal, as the President's enemies mustered one less than the necessary 
two-thirds vote. Johnson lived in retirement after 1869, except for a short 
term as U. S. Senator in 1875. 

Johnson, Cave (i 793-1 866), represented Tennessee in the U. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1829 to 1837, and from 1839 to 1845. He was Post- 
master-General in Polk's Cabinet from 1845 to 1849. 

Johnson, Edward (i 599-1672), captain, came to America from England 
about 1630. He served in the Massachusetts General Court from 1643 to 
1671, except 1648. He wrote a narrative of New England history from 
1628 to 1652, called " The Wonder-working Providence of Sion's Saviour in 

New P^ngland." 

Johnson, Eliza McCardle (1810-1876), born in Tennessee, married 
Andrew Johnson in 1826, and devoted herself to his advancement. Ill- 
health prevented her from accompanying him in his public life. 

Johnson, Sir Henry (1748-1835), came to America from England in 1775, 
and commanded a battalion of British troops from 1776 to 1778. From 1778 
to 1781, he commanded a regiment in the Jerseys, Virginia and Carolina. 

Johnson, Herschel V. (1812-1880), represented Georgia in the U. S. 
Senate as a Democrat from 1848 to 1849. He was Judge of the Georgia 
Supreme Court from 1849 t° ^^53- ^^ '^^^ Governor of the State from 
1853 to 1857. He was defeated as Democratic candidate for Vice-President 
of the United States in i860, on the Douglas ticket. He served in the Con- 
federate Senate. 

Johnson, Sir John (1742-1830), was knighted in 1765 and succeeded to 
the baronetcy of Sir William Johnson, his father, in 1774. He fled from 
New York to Canada in 1776 on account of his loyalist principles. In 1777 
he invested Fort Stanwix and fought at Oriskany. In 1780 he superin- 
tended the atrocious depredations in the Cherry Valley and conducted the 
raids in the Mohawk Valley. He was afterward Governor of Upper Canada, 

Johnson, Reverdy (i 796-1 876), lawyer and diplomatist, reached a high 
rank at the Maryland bar, and was U. S. Senator 1 845-1 849, and Attorney- 
General in President Taylor's administration, 1849-50. He was a member 
of the Peace Conference, and in 1863 re-entered the Senate as a Republican, 
He held a prominent position among the leaders, and in 1868 was sent 
to represent this country at London, Besides achieving great popularity in 



Dictionary of United States History. 339 

England, he negotiated the so-called Johnson-Clarendon Treaty, which, 
however, failed of ratification by the U. S. Senate. Mr. Johnson returned in 
1869. 

Johnson, Richard M. (i 781-1850), served in the Kentucky Legislature in 
1804. He represented Kentucky in the U. S. Congress as a Republican from 
1807 to 1819. In 1812 he commanded a regiment in the war. In 18x3 he 
fought at Chatham and in the battle of the Thames, where he is said to have 
killed Tecumtha. He served in the U. S. Senate from 181 9 to 1829, and in 
the U. S. House of Representatives from 1829 to 1837. He was elected 
Vice-President of the United States by the Senate in 1837, and served from 
1837 to 1841, with Martin Van Buren as President. 

Johnson, Richard ^V., bom in 1827, fought at Pittsburg Landing in 1861, 
commanded a division in 1862 at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. He 
published a life of General Thomas. 

Johnson, Samuel (1696-1772), was an eminent Episcopal clergyman in 
the Connecticut colony from 1725 to 1754. He was influential in the endow- 
ment of Yale, and was president of King's College (Columbia) from 1754 to 
1763- 

Johnson, Thomas (1732-1819), represented Maryland in the Continental 
Congress from 1774 to 1777. He was Governor of Maryland from 1777 to 
1779. He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 1791 to 1793. 

Johnson, Sir William (1715-1774), was born in Ireland, and, having emi- 
grated to America, settled in the Mohawk Valley. In this region, then 
mainly an Indian wilderness, Johnson's tact, ability and knowledge of the 
Indian character, made him the central personage. He was colonel of the 
Six Nations, commissary of Indian affairs, and member of the Governor's 
council. His headquarters was Fort Johnson, near Amsterdam. The influ- 
ence of the Johnson family held the Six Nations to the English alliance in 
the French and Revolutionary wars. Johnson attended the Albany Congress 
in 1754, and the next year was appointed to command in the north. For 
the victory at the head of Lake George, September 8, 1755, really won by 
General Lyman, Johnson received the credit together with a baronetcy and 
a sum of money. In 1759, after the fall of Prideaux, he succeeded to the 
command in the attack on Fort Niagara. 

Johnson, William (1771-1834), was a member of the South Carolina 
Legislature from 1794 to 1798. In 1804 he was appointed a Justice of the 
U. S. Supreme Court and served till his death. His principles were opposed 
to the nullification movements of 1831-1833. He published a " Life of 
Nathanael Greene." 

Johnson, William S. (1727-1819), was a Connecticut delegate to the 
Stamp-Act Congress in 1765. He was London agent of the colony from 
1766 to 1771. He was Judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1772 
to 1774, served in the Continental Congress from 1784 to 1787, and aided in 
drafting the Constitution. He was a U. S. Senator from 1789 to 1791, then 
president of Columbia College till 1800. 



340 Dictionary of United States History. 

Johnston, Albert Sidney (1803-1862), a distinguished Confederate general, 
was born in Kentucky, and graduated at West Point in 1826. He served in 
the Black Hawk War, entered soon after the army of Texas, and became 
Secretary of War for that republic. He passed through the Mexican War, 
was for a short time a planter, and again in the U. S. army rose to be pay- 
master and colonel. He commanded skillfully the expedition to Utah, and 
was in charge of the Department of the Pacific when the war broke out. 
Having espoused the Confederate cause he was appointed a general and 
entrusted with command in the West. He fortified the strategic point of 
Bowling Green, but his forces were driven back, and he was compelled to 
concentrate at Corinth. From this point he planned a surprise on Grant's 
army lying at Pittsburg Landing. The attack was executed in one of the 
fiercest battles of the war, but General Johnston was killed in the afternoon 
of the first day while leading a charge. Life by W. P. Johnston. 

Johnston, Alexander (1849-1889), was admitted to the bar in 1876. He 
was professor of jurisprudence and political economy at Princeton from 1883 
to 1889. He was an enthusiastic student of American history. He pub- 
lished a " History of American Politics," " Representative American Ora- 
tions," "History of the United States for Schools," and a history of Con- 
necticut. 

Johnston, Joseph Eggleston (February 3, 1807-March 21, 1891), a cele- 
brated Confederate general, was born in Virginia, and graduated at West 
Point in 1829. He had a long career of service in the old army in the wars 
with Black Hawk, the Seminoles, as engineer in Scott's campaign in 
Mexico, where he distinguished himself at Chapultepec, and finally as quar- 
termaster-general. The Confederate Government appointed him a major- 
general, and he commanded at the first battle of Bull Run. He had charge 
of the operations in Virginia down to the middle of McClellan's Peninsula 
campaign, when he was severely wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, and 
was replaced by General Lee. He had meanwhile been raised to the full 
rank of general, and in 1863 he was sent to relieve Pemberton before Vicks- 
burg, but failed. In the following December he succeeded to the command 
of Bragg's defeated army; with this force he was the next year opposed to 
Sherman in the mountains of northern Georgia, and the skillful mauceuvring 
of these two great masters of strategy has elicited warm praise. President 
Davis, displeased with Johnston, put Hood in his place; but the next winter 
the two old antagonists were again pitted against each other in North Caro- 
lina, where Johnston surrendered April 26, 1865. Subsequently he was a 
railroad president and a Congressman from Virginia. He wrote a " Narrative 
of Military Operations." Life by Hughes. 

Johnstone, George, born in Scotland, died in 1787. He became Gov- 
ernor of West Florida in 1763. He was a British Commissioner to the 
United States in 1778. He published "Thoughts on Our Acquisitions in 
the East." 

Joint High Commission. (See "Alabama " Claims.) 

Joliet, Louis (i 645-1 700), a noted French explorer, was born in Quebec 
and educated at a Jesuit college. The scope of his explorations was the 











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COMMANDERS IN THE MEXICAN WAR. 

R. F Stockton. Philip Kearney, 

Zachary Taylor, 



John C Fremont 



Winfiold Scott. 
Santa Anna. 



Dictionary of United States History. 341 

same as Marquette's and La Salle's, the linking together of the great sys- 
tems of the St. Lawrence lakes and the Mississippi. With Marquette he 
started from Mackinaw, ascended Lake Michigan and descended the Illinois 
River in 1673 to its mouth in the " Father of Waters;" thence he descended 
the great river to the present State of Arkansas, and returned to Canada. 
The chief credit of the exjoloration of the Mississippi, whether due to Joliet, 
his distinguished associate, or to La Salle, is a controverted question. 

Jonathan, or Brother Jonathan. The use of this expression, to denote 
the Yankee or American, is said to have sprung from General Washington's 
habitual use of it to designate Governor Jonathan Trumbull, of Connec- 
ticut, a valued helper in the conduct of the war. 

Jones, Anson (1798— 1858), was prominent in gaining the independence 
of Texas. He was Minister from Texas to the United States from 1837 to 
1839. He was Secretary' of State in Texas from 1841 to 1844 and President 
in 1845, ^'^ the time of the annexation. 

Jones, Jacob (i 768-1 850), entered the U. S. navy in 1799. He was a 
lieutenant of the " Philadelphia " from 1801 to 1803. In command of the 
"Wasp" he captured the British brig "Frolic" in 1812. This was one of 
the first important naval victories of the war. In 1813 he commanded the 
" Macedonian " in Decatur's squadron. 

Jones, James C. (1809— 1859), was a member of the Tennessee Legislature 
in 1837 and 1839. He was Governor of Tennessee from 1841 to 1845, ^"^ 
was a Whig Senator of the United States from 1851 to 1857. 

Jones, John P., born in England in 1830, a rich mine-owner, has been a 
Republican member of the U. S. Senate from Nevada from 1873 to the 
present time (1897) and has been prominent as an advocate of the free coinage 
of silver. He was a menil^er of the Brussels Monetary Conference of 1892. 

Jones, John Paul (July 6, 1747-July 18, 1792), a naval hero, was bom in 
Scotland and had been engaged in the merchant marine previous to his 
settlement in Virginia, shortly before the beginning of the Revolutionary 
War. On the opening of hostilities he volunteered with enthusiasm in the 
service of his adopted country, was appointed first lieutenant, and made a 
number of successful cruises. In 1777 he sailed to France. From Brest as 
headquarters he conducted in his ship, the " Ranger," a remarkable expedi- 
tion to the British coasts, for which his old acquaintance with the localities 
had well fitted him. In St. George's Channel he took prizes, landed at White- 
haven and terrorized the seaboard for a short time. He captured the British 
"Drake," and his success led him in 1779 to start in command of a small 
fleet against the eastern shore of the island; his own vessel was the " Bon 
Homme Richard." With this fleet he encountered off Scarborough a British 
convoy and ships of war. One of the fiercest naval fights on record followed 
between Jones' vessel and the British " Serapis " on the evening of Sep- 
tember 23, 1779. The "Serapis" finally struck, but the American ship was 
completely disabled, and the losses in the close-range struggle were great. 
Jones received the thanks of Congress and a gold sword from Louis XVI. 
After the war he was a rear-admiral in the Russian navy, and died in Paris. 



342 Dictionary of United States History. 

Jones, John W. (1791-1848), represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress 
as a Whig from 1835 to 1845, when he declined re-election. He was Speaker 
of the House from 1843 to 1845. 

Jones, ^A^illiam (1760— 1831), served in the battles of Trenton and Prince- 
ton during the Revolution. He represented Pennsylvania as a Democrat in 
the U. S. Congress from 1801 to 1803. He was Secretary of the Navy in 
1813 and 1814. Subsequently he was president of the U. S. Bank. 

Jones Case, a fugitive slave case. George Jones, a respectable colored 
man, was arrested in New York in 1836, on a fictitious charge of assault and 
battery. He was taken before Recorder Riker and was released to his kid- 
nappers as their property, their word being taken as sufficient evidence. 
This was a favorite method of kidnapping. 

Jonesboro, Ga. A series of short, but sharp engagements during Sher- 
man's investment of Atlanta in 1864, the town being then held by Hood 
with some 60,000 Confederates. Sherman's force was nearly 100,000 strong. 
There was some fighting between Atlanta and Jonesboro August 19 and 20, 
Kilpatrick having been dispatched to destroy the Macon railroad and 
encountering a cavalry troop under Ross, whom he defeated. Kilpatrick 
was in his turn defeated the next day by a Confederate infantry- force. Mean- 
time Hardee had been sent from Atlanta to Jonesboro by Hood to guard his 
conununications. On August 31 Hardee fell upon the Federal right under 
Howard and a desperate battle took place, in which Hardee was decidedly 
worsted. Hardee retreated that same night. 

Jouett, James E., born in 1828, served during the Mexican War. In 
command of the " Santee " in 1S61, he captured the "Royal Jacket," and 
was active at Mobile under Commodore Farragut. In 1886 he became a 
rear-admiral. 

Journals of Congress. "■ Tlie Jor.Tiials of Congress " from 1774 to 1788 
were first published at Philadelphia in thirteen volumes, octavo, 1 777-1 788, 
but they were reprinted at Wasliington in four volumes, octavo, 1823. The 
proceedings of the Constitutional Co'.ivention were published at Boston in 
1819, entitled "Journal, Acts and Proceedings of the Convention Assem- 
bled at Philadelphia which Framed the Constitution of the United States." 
There was also published at Boston, in 1821, a work in four volumes, entitled 
" Secret Journals of the Acts and Proceedings of Congress from the First 
Meeting thereof to the Dissolution of the Confederation by the Adoption of 
the Constitution of the United States." The Journals of the Congress 
imder the Constitution have been printed each session, according to the 
requirement of the Constitution. 

Joutel, Henri, French explorer, came to America in 1684. He published 
authentic accounts of the last expedition of La Salle, and his own explora- 
tions in the Mississippi Valley. 

Juarez, Benito P. (1806-187 2), was Governor of Mexico from 1847 to 
1852, including part of the war with the United States. He was Minister 
of Justice and Religion from 1855 to 1857. He was Secretary of the Interior 



Dictionary of United States History. 343 

from 1857 to 1858. In 1858 he assumed the control of the executive, and 
was recognized by the U. S. Government in 1859. He maintained his 
government against the clerical party with difficulty throughout the revolu- 
tionary troubles, but from the withdrawal of the French and the death of 
Maximilian until his own death he ruled the republic. 

Judd, Sylvester (1789-1860), edited the New Hampshire Gazette from 
1822 to 1834. He carefully studied the history of Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut, and published " Thomas Judd and his Descendants," and " A His- 
tory of Hadley." 

Judiciary. Except in the earliest days of the Puritan colonies, the judi- 
ciary in the colonies was modeled on that of England. In each, the 
Governor (in the general case) constituted the court of admiralty, the court 
of equity, and the ecclesiastical and highest probate court. There was a 
supreme or superior common-law court, from which appeals lay to the Gov- 
ernor and council, and ultimately to the King in Council. County courts 
were commonly held after the forms of the justices' courts of quarter session 
in England; and there was a similar system of lowest courts, held by indi- 
vidual justices. When, at the beginning of the Revolution, the States made 
their new Constitutions, they either abolished those courts which were not 
common-law courts or reorganized them, or gave their functions to the com- 
mon-law courts. Otherwise little change was made in the system. Under 
the Continental Congress the beginnings of a Federal judiciarj' are seen in 
the operations of the commissions which decided land cases between States, 
and in those of the commissioners of appeal in prize causes, which in 1781, 
under the Articles of Confederation, was erected into a more regular court 
The Constitution of 1787 provided for a supreme court, and such inferior 
courts as Congress might establish. By the Judiciary Act of 1789, Congress 
established circuit and district courts. (See arts. Supreme Court, Circuit 
Courts and District Courts.) These constituted the Federal system until 
1891, when the Circuit Courts of Appeal were added. Colonial judges were 
mostly appointed by the Governors. In some States this feature was 
retained; in most, it has now become the rule that judges are elected by the 
people. Beside the strictly Federal courts provided by the Constitution, 
Congress has established a system of Territorial courts, and the Court of 
Claims (see art.). 

Judson, Adoniram (1788-1850), was a successful American missionary to 
Burmah from 181 3 to 1850. He thoroughly mastered the Burmese lan- 
guage and translated a number of books, including the entire Bible. 

Juilliard vs. Greenman, a case involving a question of legal tender, brought 
by plaintiff on writ of error from the Circuit Court of New York to the 
Supreme Court of the United States in 1884. Juilliard having contracted a 
sale to Greenman, the latter oifered payment in United States notes, which 
the plaintiff refused, demanding payment in gold or silver. The Circuit 
Court found a verdict for the defendant, on the ground that notes issued by 
the United States-^are legal tender for payment of any debt. The Supreme 
Court confirmed this judgment, thus affirming the constitutionality of the 
Legal Tender Act of 1862. 



344 Dictionary of United States History. 

Julian, George W., born in 1817, was a Free-Soil Representative to Con- 
gress from Indiana from 1849 ^'^ 1S51. He was the Free-Soil candidate for 
Vice-President of the United States in 1852. He was vice-president of the 
first Republican convention in 1856 and chairman of the organization com- 
mittee. He was a Republican member of the U. S. Congress from 1861 to 
1871. 

Jumonville, N. Coulon de (1725 ?-i754), was sent by the French in 1754 
to summon Washington to surrender the fort at Great Meadows. He was 
killed in an attack which was represented as a violation of international law 
by the French, but probably was not. 

Justice, Department of. This department was not created until June 22, 
1870, though the office of Attorney-General, who is at its head, was created 
September 24, 1789. The earlier Attorneys-General had leisure to practice 
as attorneys. An assistant was first given the Attorney-General in 1859, a 
second in 1868, a third in 1871. In 1861 the Attorney-General was given 
supervision of all U. S. district attorneys and marshals. 

K. 

Kalakaua, David (1836-1891), was made king of Hawaii in 1874 and 
established his government with the aid of American and English ships. 
He died in San Francisco while negotiating a treaty of reciprocity with the 
United States. 

Kalb, Johann, self-st}'led Baron de Kalb (1721-1780), visited America as 
a secret agent of the French Government in 1 768. He was encouraged by 
Franklin and Silas Deane to join the Continental army, and accompanied 
Lafayette to the United States in 1777. He was appointed major-general 
and served under Washington in New Jersey and Maryland. In 1780 he 
was despatched to South Carolina in command of the Delaware and Mary- 
land troops. At Camden his troops defeated the opposing British force, but 
were subsequently surrounded and DeKalb was mortally wounded. 

" Kalmar Nyckel " (" Key of Kalmar"), a Swedish man-of-war furnished 
as an emigrant ship in the Swedish colonization expedition of 1637. The 
ship entered Delaware Bay in March, 1638, and its passengers settled along 
the Delaware River. 

Kamper vs. Hawkins, a case adjourned from the District Court of Dum- 
fries, Va., to the General Court in November, 1793. It involved the consti- 
tutionality of an act of the State Legislature of 1792, which authorized a 
district court in term time, or a judge thereof in vacation, to exercise the 
same power of granting injunctions to stay proceedings on any judgment 
obtained in a district court, and of proceeding to the dissolution or final 
hearing of such cases, as was prescribed for the High Court of Chancery. 
The court decided that this law was not wholly in accordance with the Con- 
stitution, but that there was no alternative for a decision between ^Jie Legis- 
lature and the judiciary except an appeal to the people. 



Dictionary of United States History. 345 

Kane, Elisha K. (1820-1857), served in the navy as a surgeon from 1843 
to 1850. He accompanied E. J. DeHaveu in 1850 on his Arctic expedition. 
In 1853-55 ^1^ commanded the "Advance" in an Arctic exploring expedi- 
tion. He reached latitude 80° 35', and made valuable and accurate scien- 
tific observations, which he published in his reports. 

Kansas. The territory of the State of Kansas formed a part of the 
Louisiana and Texas cessions. The greater part was acquired by the United 
States in 1803. The portion lying south of the Arkansas River and west 
of longitude 100° W. was ceded to the United States by Texas in 1S50. 
The region was explored in 1541 by Coronado, a Spaniard. In 1819-1820 
it was partly explored by Major Long, of the United States army. In 1854 
Stephen A. Douglas introduced a bill into Congress providing for the organi- 
zation of the Kansas and Nebraska territories, and the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise of 1820, whereby slavery was prohibited north of 36° 30'. The 
existence of slavery was left to the decision of the people of the State when 
admitted. The introduction and passage. May 30, 1854, of this bill caused 
intense political excitement. Emigrants from Arkansas and Missouri imme- 
diately began to move into Kansas to hold the State for the pro-slaven,-' party. 
On the other hand the Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Society sent out colonies 
to keep slavery out of the State. The " Kansas struggle " then began. The 
pro-slavery men, aided by bands from Missouri, elected the Territorial delegate 
to Congress, November 29, 1854. March 30, 1855, an election took place for 
a Territorial Legislature, in which the pro-slaveiy men were again successful. 
At this election 5427 votes were cast for their candidates, and 791 for their 
opponents, and yet there were but 2905 legal voters in the country. This 
Legislature met at Pawnee in July, and immediately proceeded to vote 
Kansas a slave Territory. On the other hand the anti-slaver>- men met in 
convention at Topeka, and adopted a State Constitution which prohibited 
slavery, October-November, 1855. This Constitution was ratified by popular 
vote, December 15. An election for a Legislature was held under this Con- 
stitution in January. May 2 1 Lawrence was pillaged. In the same year a 
party under John Brown murdered five men. A bill for the admission of the 
State was defeated in the Senate, and the State Legislature was dispersed by 
Federal troops in 1856. A pro-slavery convention adopted the Lecompton 
Constitution, which was submitted to a popular vote with or without slavery. 
The anti-slavery men refused to vote, and the Constitution was adopted. At 
a second election, January 4, 1858, it was defeated, and again on August 3 
at another election ordered by Congress. In 1859 a constitutional conven- 
tion at Wyandotte adopted a Constitution prohibiting slavery, which was 
ratified October 4. January 29, 1861, Kansas was admitted into the Union. 
The State was steadily Republican until 1882, when the Democrats carried 
the election. In 1892 the electoral votes of the State were cast for the can- 
didate of the People's party. The population of the State in 1S90 was 
1,427,096; in i860 it was 107,206. History by Spring. 

Kansas Aid Society, a Congressional association formed in 1854 for the 
purpose of aiding free immigration into Kansas to prevent the establishment 
of slavery, which had been made possible by the passage of the Kansas- 
Nebraska Act then recentlj' adopted. Slaver)^ advocates from Missouri were 



346 Dictionary of United States History. 

at that time active in endeavoring to bring about the establishment of 
slavery. 

Kansas City, Mo., was laid out in 1830, but its growth dates from i860. 

Kansas- Nebraska Bill. Under the provisions of this bill, which was 
passed by Congress May 22, 1854, Kansas and Nebraska were separated 
and organized into Territories. The importance of this bill lay in the fact 
that it practically repealed the Missouri Compromise. In the bill as reported 
by Stephen A. Douglas, the question of slavery in the two Territories was 
to be settled within the Territories, and if adopted the fugitive slave law was 
to apply. The status of Nebraska was easily settled as a free Territory', but 
the question caused much trouble in Kansas. The passage of the act had 
much to do with bringing on the Civil War. 

Kapp, Friedrich (1824-1884), came to America from Germany in 1850. 
He wrote lives of Generals Kalb and Steuben, and numerous works relating 
to slavery and the relations between Germany and the United States. 

Kaskaskia, 111., a French settlement, settled in the latter part of the seven- 
teenth century, garrisoned in 1778 by British soldiers. Colonel George 
Rogers Clark captured it with three companies of Kentucky recruits on the 
night of July 4, after a short struggle and with but little bloodshed. 

Kasson, John A., born in 1822, was chairman of the Iowa Republican 
Committee from 1858 to i860. He was appointed Assistant Postmaster- 
General in 1 86 1 and served till 1862. He represented Iowa in the U. S. 
Congress as a Republican from 1863 to 1867, from 1873 to 1877 ^^^ from 
1881 to 1884. He was Minister to Austria from 1877 to 1881 and to Ger- 
many from 1884 to 1885. 

Kautz, August V., born in Germany in 1828, was brevetted colonel U. S. 
army for services during the Civil War. He engaged in the Peninsular 
campaign in 1862, at South Mountain, Petersburg and Richmond, and was 
noted for his cavalry raids in southern Virginia in 1864. Died 1895. 

Kearny, Lawrence (1789-1868), served in the navy during the War of 
181 2. He was successful in destroying piracy and smuggling. He was 
influential in negotiating the Treaty of 1S45 with China. 

Kearny, Philip (181 5-1 862), entered the army in 1837. He was sent by 
the U. S. Government in 1839 and 1840 to report upon the cavalry tactics 
of the French. During the Mexican War he was brevetted major for gal- 
lantry at Contreras and Churubusco. In 1861 he was assigned command of 
a brigade in the Army of the Potomac. He engaged at Williamsburg and 
served with the Army of Virginia. In 1862 he was assigned command of a 
division and fought at Bull Run. He was killed in the battle of Chantilly. 

Kearny, Stephen V^. (1794-1848), served throughout the War of 1812. 
He was promoted brigadier-general in 1846, with command in the West. 
During the Mexican War he established a provisional government in Santa 
F^ and fought the battle of San Pasqual, after which he was made major- 
general. In 1847 he was Governor of California. He wrote a "Manual of 
the Exercise and Manoeuvring of U. S. Dragoons." 



Dictionary of United States History. 347 

'<e:=irsarge," the U. S. man-of-war vvliich destroyed and sunk the Cou- 
leaerace cruiser " Alabama" off Cherbourg harbor, in France, June 19, 1864. 
In 1894 it was wrecked on a reef in the Caribbean Sea. 

" Kearsarge" and "Alabama," a famous naval battle of the Civil War occur- 
ring June 19, 1864, just off tlie harbor of Cherbourg, France. The Con- 
federate war-ship " Alabama " was at that time engaged in destroying Union 
vessels in European waters. She was commanded by Semmes; had eight 
guns and sixty men. Winslow commanded the " Kearsarge," the National 
ship having been dispatched in search of the " Alabama." The " Kear- 
sarge " had seven guns and sixty-two men. The " Kearsarge " lay waiting 
for the Confederate ship outside the harbor. The battle took place some 
seven miles out at sea. The "Alabama" began the firing without much 
effect upon her opponent. When the " Kearsarge " opened fire, her supe- 
riority in point of management and gunnery was at once evinced. One of 
her shells cut off the "Alabama's " mizzenmast and another exploded, killing 
half her crew. She was speedily disabled and sunk. Semmes escaped. 

Keifer, Joseph Warren, born in 1836, represented Ohio in the U. S. 
House of Representatives as a Republican from 1877 to 1885. He was 
Speaker of the House from 1881 to 1883. 

Keith, Sir William (i 680-1 749), was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor 
of Pennsylvania and Delaware from 17 17 to 1726. He served in the Penn- 
sylvania Assembly in 1727 and 1728. He published a "History of 

Virginia." 

Kelley, Benjamin F. (1807-1891), during the Civil War fought at 
Philippi, Romney and Blue Gap. In 1863 he commanded the Department 
of West Virginia. He was brevetted major-general in 1864 for services at 
Cumberland, New Creek and Morefield. 

Kelley, William D. (1814-1890), was admitted to the bar in 1841. He 
was Judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas from 1846 to 1856. 
He was a member of the Republican National Convention of i860, and 
represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. Congress as a Republican from 1861 
101890. He published " The New South " and many influential political 
writings, and was noted as a strong protectionist. 

Kellogg, William P., born in 1831, represented Louisiana in the U. S. 
Senate as a Republican from 1868 to 1871. Kellogg was recognized by the 
U. S. Government as Governor of Louisiana in 1872 in opposition to the 
rival government led by McEnery. (See art. Louisiana.) He served until 
1877. He again served in the U. S. Senate from 1877 to 1883, and in the 
House of Representatives from 1883 to 1885. 

Kelly's Ford. (See Rappahannock Station.) 

Kemble, Frances Anne, born in London in 1809, has won distinction 
both in Europe and in the United States as an actress in historical plays. 
She has also been successful as a reader of Shakespeare. 

Kendall, Amos (1789-1869), of Kentucky, born in Massachusetts, earnestly 
supported Jackson in 1824. In 1829 he was appointed an auditor in the 



348 Dictionary of United States History. 

Treasury Department. He was one of the chief men in Jackson's adminis- 
tration, guiding the anti-bank policy, and advising and directing the President 
in all his duties. He was Postmaster-General of the United States from 1835 
to 1840 in the Cabinets of Jackson and Van Buren. He was an ardent anti- 
slavery advocate; and, though a Jackson Democrat, earnestly supported the 
administration during the Civil War. He wrote a " Life of Andrew Jackson, 
Private, Military and Civil " (uncompleted). 

Kendall vs. United States. In 1835, Barry, then Postmaster-General, 
made certain contracts with Stokes and others of the District of Columbia, 
for carrj'ing the mail of the United States. Kendall, Barry's successor, 
refused to pay to Stokes certain sums of money mentioned in the contract. 
Stokes applied to the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for a man- 
damus to compel Kendall to pay. This was granted. Kendall brought the 
case before the Supreme Court of the United States, and the decree of the 
Circuit Court was confirmed on the ground that the mandamus did not seek 
to control the Postmaster-General in his official duty, but to enforce the per- 
formance of a mere ministerial act. 

Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. To this strong position General Johnston had 
retreated about June 11, 1864, with about 60,000 Confederates, Sherman 
following him closely with 100,000 Federal troops. Johnston succeeded in 
fortifying himself quite strongly. A smart skirmish took place June 14, and 
General Polk, of Confederate fame, was killed. On the lytli an assault was 
ordered by Sherman, which caused Johnston to contract his line. After this, 
during ten days, Johnston's cannon kept booming away from the heights, 
while Sherman's army lay in the valley below, almost untouched. On the 
2 2d an inefiectual attack was made by Hooker and Schofield, in which the 
Nationals lost heavily. This is known as the affair of " Kulp's House." 
Again on the 27th Sliennan caused two attacks to be made simultaneously 
and from difTerent quarters. So Hooker and McPherson advanced against the 
Confederates' left and centre. Both assaults failed disastrously. Nearly 3000 
Federals were missing in killed and wounded. July i, however, McPherson 
made a more successful attack and Johnston was compelled to retire. 

Kennan, George, born in Ohio in 1845, has made in Siberia a thorough 
investigation of the Russian exile system, the results of which he has pub- 
lished in a book entitled " Siberia and the Exile System." He had earlier 
published " Tent-Life in Siberia." 

Kennebec Expedition, an expedition along the Kennebec River, sent out 
by Washington under Benedict Arnold, in 1775, to co-operate with Mont- 
gomery's Canada expedition. Arnold was assisted in this campaign by a 
number of Indians. With iioo men Arnold reached Fort Augusta, Maine, 
and thence proceeded through the wilderness along the Kennebec toward 
Quebec. Upon reaching that place, which was garrisoned by a small force, 
he made the ascent at Wolfe's Cove and demanded a surrender. The garrison 
refused and Arnold, becoming frightened, drew off. He despatched Burr to 
Montreal, which had been captured by Alontgomery. The latter joined 
Arnold at Quebec and together they assaulted the town. Montgomery was 
killed and his force drew off under Campbell. Arnold kept Carleton, the 



Dictionary of United States History. 349 

English commander, shut up in Quebec for three months, till he was driven 
away by Burgoyne. 

Kennebec Purchase. In 1628, William Bradford and others, of the Ply- 
mouth colonists, obtained a grant of territory for fishing purposes along the 
Kennebec and Cobbiseecontee Rivers. This was sold, in 1661, to Tyng 
and others, and was called the " Kennebec Purchase." This grant was 
made by the Council for New England. 

Kennedy, John P. (1795-1S70), was a member of the Maryland House of 
Delegates from 1820 to 1823. He i-epresented Maryland in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Whig from 1838 to 1839, and from 1841 to 1845. He was Secre- 
tary of the Navy in Fillmore's Cabinet from 1852 to 1853. He wrote a life 
of William Wirt and one of George Calvert. 

Kent, Edward (1802-1877), was a member of the Maine Legislature from 
1829 to 1833. He was Governor of Maine in 1838 and 1840, being chosen 
by the Whigs. From 1849 to 1853 he was U. S. Consul at Rio Janeiro. 
From 1859 to 1873 he was a Justice of the Maine Supreme Court. 

Kent, James (i 763-1 847), jurist, was a member of the New York Legisla- 
ture in 1790 and 1792. He was a Judge of the New York Supreme Court 
from 1798 to 1804, and Chief Justice from 1804 to 1814. He was Chancellor 
of New York from 1814 to 1823. ^^ published " Commentaries on American 
Law," which is the standard general treatise on American law. 

Kenton, Simon (i 755-1 836), a Kentucky pioneer, served as a scout in the 
colonial army till 1778. He commanded a Kentuck}- battalion from 1793 
to 1794. He was engaged in the battle of the Thames in 1813. 

" Kentucke Gazette." This journal was established at Lexington, Ky., 
August 18, 1787, the first important newspaper of Kentucky, and continued 
to be published for seventy-five years. 

Kentucky was originally a part of Virginia. The first settlements were 
made by James Harrod and others at Harrodsburg in 1774; and by Daniel 
Boone at Boonesborough in 1775. A land company in 1775 attempted to 
organize a separate government under the name of Trans\'lvania. In 1776 
Kentucky became Kentucky County of Virginia. The refusal of Virginia 
and the National Government to allow a separate government and the indig- 
nation over the provision concerning the navigation of the Mississippi led 
to efforts being made to form an independent republic with alliance with 
Spain or Canada. June i, 1792, the State was admitted into the Union. 
The close union of political feeling with Virginia was shown by the passage 
of the " Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions" of 1798 and 1799, which pro- 
tested against the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts by the Federalists. 
The Democrats controlled the State until 1830, except in 1824, when the 
electoral votes were cast for Clay. Kentucky became a Whig State, and so 
remained until 1856, when the Democrats carried the State. In i860 the 
electoral votes were cast for Bell. In 1861 the Governor sympathized with 
the South, but the Legislature refused to call a convention, and elected dele- 
gates to the Peace Congress at Washington. For a time the State attempted 



350 Dictionary of United States History. 

to remaiu neutral, but the State Legislature in September, 1 86 1, pronounced 
emphatically in favor of the Union. Since the war the State has been uni- 
formly Democratic. A new Constitution was made in 1890-91. The pop- 
ulation of the State in 1792 was 73,077; in 1890, 1,858,635. History by 
Shaler. 

Kentucky Resolutions. These resolutions were the outgrowth, together 
with the Virginia Resolutions, of a feeling that the Federal party was making 
a strained and illegitimate use of the powers granted to the Federal Govern- 
ment by the Constitution. The resolutions were directly due to the passage 
of the Alien and Sedition laws. The Kentucky Resolutions were framed 
by Thomas Jefferson, and introduced, in 1798, into the Kentucky Legis- 
lature by John Breckenridge. They were passed for the purpose of defining 
the strict-construction view of the relative powers of State and Government 
They were nine in number. They declared that the Union was not based 
on the " principle of unlimited submission to the General Government; " that 
the Constitution was a compact, to which each State was a party as over 
against its fellow States; and that, in all cases not specified in the compact, 
each party had a right to judge for itself, as well of infractions as of the 
mode and measure of redress. They proceeded to set forth the imconstitu- 
tionality of the Alien and Sedition Acts, and invited other States to join in 
declaring them void. No favorable response was evoked. In 1799 the 
Kentucky Legislature went further, and declared a nullification of a Federal 
law by a State to be the rightful remedy in cases of Federal usurpation. 
Upon these resolutions the doctrines of nullification and secession were later 
founded. 

Kenyon College, Gambler, O., was chartered in 1824 ^Y Episcopalians 
as a theological seminary, but a collegiate and a preparatory department were 
afterward added. In 1840 the seminary was constituted into a separate 
school. 

Keokuk (i78o?-i848), chief of the Sacs and Foxes tribes of Indians, 
possessed extraordinary courage and powers of oratory. He used his influ- 
ence to prevent the Black Hawk War in 1832. In 1837 he made a tour 
through the principal cities in the East and attracted great attention by his 
eloquent speeches. He always maintained friendship for the whites. 

Kernan, Francis (1816-1892), was reporter of the New York Court of 
Appeals from 1854 to 1857. He represented New York in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1863 to 1865, and in the Senate from 1875 to 1881. 

Kerr, Michael C. (i 827-1 876), was a member of the Indiana Legislature 
in 1856 and 1857. He was reporter of the Indiana Supreme Court from 
1862 to 1865. He represented Indiana in the Congress of the United States 
as a Democrat from 1865 to 1873, and was Speaker from 1875 to 1876. He 
served on the Committees on Elections, Civil Service and Ways and Means. 

Kersaint, Gui Pierre de P. (i 742-1 793), French naval commander, served 
in Canada in 1762, and aided the colonists from 1777 to 1783. He cap- 
tured two British ships in 1777. He commanded a fleet in Chesapeake Bay 
in 1783. 



Dictionary of United States History. 351 

Key, David M., born in 1824, served in the Confederate army throughout 
the war. He represented Tennessee in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 
1875 to 1877. He was Postmaster-General in Hayes' Cabinet from 1877 to 
1880. From 1880 to the present time (1894) he has been a U. S. District 
Judge in Tennessee. 

Key, Francis Scott (1780-1843), wrote " The Star-Spangled Banner " after 
watching the bombarding of Fort McHenry by the British in 1814. (See art. 
McHenry, Fort.) The song became immensely popular. 

Keyes, Erasmus D., general, was born in Massachusetts in 1810. He 
served under General Scott from i860 to 1861. He fought at Bull Run and 
commanded a corps at Fair Oaks and Richmond. Retired 1864. Died 1895. 

Kickapoos, a tribe of Algonquin Indians who early centred around the 
Illinois. In 1779 they joined Colonel Clark against the English, but soon 
manifested hostility toward the new government. Peace was not fully made 
until after Wayne's victory in 1795. They then ceded a part of their lands, 
as they did also in 1802, 1803 and 1804. They joined Tecumseh and fought 
at Tippecanoe in 1811. In the War of 1812 they allied themselves with the 
English, but suffered disastrous defeats. In 1815, 1816 and 1819 they ceded 
more territory, and in 1822 the majority removed from the Illinois to the 
Osage. Some became roving bands. In 1854 they were removed to Kansas, 
and in 1863 a party migrated to Mexico, whence 400 returned to Indian 
Territory in 1873. 

Kidd, William, born in Scotland, died in 1701. He early proved him- 
self a bold and skillful navigator. He received a reward from the New 
York Council in 1691 for his services to the colonies. In 1696 he was placed 
in command of the "Adventure," of thirty guns and 154 men, to destroy 
piracy. He was led to engage in the traffic he was commissioned to destroy, 
and became one of the most noted of pirates. In 1699 he returned to New 
England, was arrested and sent to England, where he was hanged. 

Kieft, Wilhelm (i6oo?-i647), the fifth Dutch Governor of New Nether- 
lands, ruled from 1638 to 1647. He concentrated the government in himself. 
He improved the condition and appearance of New Amsterdam, repaired the 
forts, prohibited illegal traffic, enforced obedience to the police ordinances of 
the town, erected public houses and improved the system of land tenure. 
His rule was nevertheless tyrannical and despotic, and he was detested by 
the people. He organized the first representative assembly in New Nether- 
lands in 1 64 1, but dissolved it in 1643. He was recalled in 1647 ^t the 
request of the colonists. 

Kilbourn vs. Thompson, an important case decided by the U. S. Supreme 
Court in 1880. Kilbourn was summoned as a witness before the House of 
Representatives of the United States in 1876, and required to answer ques- 
tions and produce certain papers. This he refused to do, and accordingly 
Thompson, sergeant-at-arms of the House, was ordered to arrest and imprison 
him for forty-five days in the common jail of the District of Columbia. He 
was released on a writ of habeas co7-pjis, and brought suit before the Supreme 
Court against Thompson and certain Congressmen on the plea of illegal 



352 Dictionary of United States History. 

imprisonment. The court decided that the House might punish its own 
members for disorderly conduct, but that the Constitution did not invest 
either House with a general power of punishment for contempt. 

Kilpatrick, Hugh Judson (1836-1881), cavalr\' officer, engaged at Big 
Bethel, Falmouth and Bull Run. He commanded a cavalrj- brigade at 
Leesburg in 1862, and at Richmond, and a division at Gettysburg, Boones- 
borough and Resaca. He took part in Sherman's march to the sea. He 
was Minister to Chili from 1865 to 1868, and in 1881. He was a popular 
Republican campaign orator. 

Kilpatrick's Raid, a cavalry expedition, February 25 to March 4, 1864, led 
by the Federal general of that name, who with 5000 horsemen swept around 
Lee's army, then lying near Richmond. The object of this raid was to 
relieve the Union troopers imprisoned in Libby prison. This purpose was 
not accomplished, but Kilpatrick succeeded in inflicting considerable loss 
upon the Confederates by destroying railroads and bridges and cutting up 
several of their regiments. 

Kimball, Herbert C. (1S01-1868), was chosen one of the twelve Mormon 
apostles in 1835. He aided in establishing the Mormons in the valley of the 
Great Salt Lake. In 1847 ^^^ became a counsellor of Brigham Young. 

Kinderhook, N. Y., noted for a time as the place of residence of Martin 
Van Buren. 

King, Horatio, born in 1811, was a clerk in the U. S. Postal Department 
from 1839 to 1854. He was First Assistant Postmaster-General from 1854 
to 1 86 1. In 1 86 1 he was Postmaster-General in Buchanan's Cabinet. 

King, Preston (i 806-1 865), was a New York Assemblyman from 1834 to 
1837. He was a Democratic U. S. Congressman from 1843 to 1847 and from 
1S49 to 1853. He was a Republican U. S. Senator from 1S57 to 1863. 

King, Rufus (1755-1827), was born in Maine and graduated at Harvard. 
He came prominently forward as a member of the Massachusetts Legislature 
and a delegate to the Continental Congress. In the latter body he moved in 
1785 the provision against slavery in the Northwest Territory, afterward 
adopted in 1787. He was a leading member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1787, and went home to work zealously for the ratification of the 
Constitution b>' Massachusetts. Having removed to New York he was a 
Federalist U. S. Senator from that State in 1 789-1 796, and wrote some of 
the ' ' Camillus " papers. He was Minister to London, 1 796-1803, and again in 
the Senate 1813-1825. In 1816 he was an unsuccessful candidate for Gover- 
nor, and the same year received thirty-four electoral votes for President, 
having been the Federalist candidate for Vice-President in 1804 and 1808. 
His last ser\-ice was again at the Court of London in 1825-1826. Life and 
works by King (1894). 

King, Thomas Starr (1824-1863), a famous Unitarian clergyman who won 
distinction as a lecturer in the East and in California. At the outbreak of 
the Civil War he was an earnest advocate of the Union cause. 



Dictionary of United States History. 353 

King, 'William R. (17S6-1853), represented Alabama in the U. S. Congress 
as a War Democrat from 181 1 to 1816. He was Secretary of Legation to 
Russia from 1 816 to 181 8. He was a U. S. Senator from 18 19 to 1844, and 
Minister to France from 1844 to 1846. He was a U. S. Senator from 1846 
to 1853, when he was elected Vice-President of the United States, but soon 
died. 

King George's War. Immediately upon the breaking out in Europe of 
the war of the Austrian succession, 1744, there began between the English 
and French colonies a frontier war known as King George's. The French 
made an attack in 1744 upon the northeastern settlements, and privateers 
from Louisbourg, in Cape Breton, harassed the New England coast. In 1745 
the General Court of Massachusetts proposed a colonial expedition against 
Louisbourg, the strongest French fort north of the Gulf of Mexico. Massa- 
chusetts voted 3250 men and the other colonies a proportionate number. 
William Pepperell, of Maine, commanded the expedition. After a siege of 
two months Louisbourg capitulated, June 17, 1745. Another expedition was 
contemplated against Quebec, but the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle terminated 
the war (1748). 

King William's War. In 1689, upon the accession of William and 
Mary, war was declared between England and France, and at once spread to 
the colonies. During 1690 Governor Frontenac, of Canada, sent three 
Indian expeditions against the English frontiers. Many settlers were killed 
and scalped. A colonial Congress, the first ever held, assembled at New 
York in 1690, and the next summer Sir William Phipps was sent with a 
fleet and 1800 New England men against Acadia and Port Royal, both of 
which he captured. Acadia was retaken by the French the next year. In 
1696 the French took Newfoundland, and massacred the inhabitants of 
Andover, Mass. The trouble ended with the Treaty of Ryswick in 1697. 

King's Mountain, Battle of, October 7, 1780. Colonel Ferguson, with 
1200 men, had been despatched by Cornwallis to scour the highlands of 
South Carolina and enlist the Tories. Ferguson soon found the backwoods- 
men rising against him, and, was closely beset by 3000 militia. He took a 
position at King's Mountain on the border between the Carolinas. In 
his rear was a precipice, and in front woods and broken ground. One 
division of the Americans lured him from his position, and the other two 
then attacked his flanks. Ferguson himself fell, and 389 of his men weie 
killed, 716 were taken prisoners. The Americans lost their brilliant leader, 
Colonel James Williams. Of their troops twenty-eight were killed and 
sixty wounded. History by Draper. 

King's Province. In 1664 a royal commission was sent to the colonies 
with the power to regulate all the New England colonies. This commis- 
sion in 1665 took the whole Narragansett countr>' away from all the prov- 
inces and converted it into the " King's Province," under Rhode Island 
management. In 1729 it became King's Count}', Rhode Island. 

Kingsborough, Edward K., Viscount (1795-1837), published a famous 
work of nine volumes on "The Antiquities of Mexico," which reproduces 
vsxfac simile the Mexican records and paintings then existing. 

23 



354 Dictionary of United States History. 

Kingston, N. C. Here, December 14, 1862, General Foster, eti route 
with 11,000 Federals to destroy the important railroad junction at Golds- 
boro, fell in with the Confederate General Evans, commanding 6000 troops. 
An engagement was immediately begun. Evans was posted between a 
dense swamp and the bridge over the Neuse River. This was speedily cap- 
tured and the Confederates dispersed. — Again, March 8 and 10, 1865, there 
was some sharp fighting between the Federals under Cox, of Schofield's army, 
and the Confederates under Bragg and D. H. Hill. Bragg was in full 
retreat from Wilmington when he was overtaken by Cox. Bragg was com- 
pelled to retire to Goldsboro March 10. There were about 12,000 men 
engaged on either side. 

Kirk, John Foster, bom in 1824, came to the United States from Canada 
in 1842. From 1847 to 1859 he was assistant to William H. Prescott. He 
edited LippincotCs Magazine from 1870 to 1886. He published a "History 
of Charles the Bold." 

Kirkwood, Samuel J., born in 181 3, was prosecuting attorney of Rich- 
land County, Ohio, from 1845 to 1849. He was Governor of Iowa from 1859 
to 1863. He represented Iowa in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 
1866 to 1S67. He was Governor of Iowa from 1875 to 1877, and a U. S. 
Senator from 1S77 to 1881, when he became Secretary of the Interior in 
Garfield's Cabinet, serving till 1882. Died September i, 1894. 

Kitchen Cabinet, a coterie of intimate friends of President Jackson, who 
were supposed to have more influence over his actions than his oflScial 
advisers. They were: General Duff Green, editor of the United States Tele- 
graph at Washington, the confidential organ of the administration; Major 
William B. Lewis, of Nashville, Tenn., Second Auditor of the Treasury'; 
Isaac Hill, editor of the New Hampshire Patriot, and Amos Kendall, of 
Kentucky, Fourth Auditor of the Treasury. 

Kittanning, Burning of, September, 1756. During the French and Indian 
War, an attack was made in early September, 1756, by Colonel Armstrong 
upon Kittanning, a nest of Delaware Indians. The place was completely 
surprised, the houses burned, the chief killed, and much ammunition 
furnished by the French destroyed. The English loss was about twenty. 

Klamaths, a name given to several Indian tribes living in Oregon and 
California. The influx of whites into California led to troubles in 1851, 
but a treaty soon restored peace. In 1864 they ceded large tracts of land 
and went on a reservation. 

Knights of Labor, an order founded in Philadelphia in 1869 by Uriah S. 
Stevens and fonnally organized in 1871 for the protection of working people 
and the development of educated labor. It was secret until the name was 
made public in 1881. By that time nearly all trades were represented. It 
is governed by a national executive board and local assemblies which have 
power to order " strikes " and " boycotts." The membership is over 500,000. 
The chief strike so ordered was that on the Missouri Pacific system in 1886. 
It failed. 



Dictionary of United States History. 355 

Knott, James Proctor, born in 1830, was chairman of the Judiciary Com- 
mittee in the Missouri Legislature from 1857 to 1859, when he became State 
Attorney-General, and served till 1862. He represented Kentucky in the 
U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1867 to 1871 and 1875 to 1883. He was 
chairman of the Judiciary Committee from 1875 to 1883. He was elected 
Governor of Kentucky in 1S83, and served till 1887. 

Know-Nothings, Know-Nothing Party, a name given to the members of 
the American party, because, being members of a secret order, when they 
were asked anything about its organization or concerns, they professed to 
know nothing about the matter. 

Knox, Henry (i 750-1806), an American cabinet oflScer, was bom in Boston 
and was a bookseller before the Revolution. He exchanged this occupation 
for that of an artillery officer, fought at Bunker Hill, and obtained much 
credit for his transfer of ordnance in the winter of 1775-1776 from the 
Canadian frontier and the Lake George region to the army around Boston. 
He was made a brigadier-general of artillery, fought with distinction at 
Trenton, Brandy wine, Monmouth and York town, and received the grade of 
a major-general. He was active in the Cincinnati Society, and became Sec- 
retary of War under the old Congress in 1785. Washington reappointed him 
to this position, which he filled until 1795. 

Knox, John Jay (1828-1892), was Deputy Comptroller of the Currency from 
1867 to 1872 and Comptroller from 1872 to 1884. He drafted and prepared 
the Coinage Act of 1873. He wrote a " History of Banking in the United 
States." 

Knox vs. Lee, a legal-tender case brought before the Supreme Court of 
the United States in 1870 by writ of error from the Circuit Court of Texas. 
A flock of sheep, belonging to Mrs. Lee, of Pennsylvania, had been seized by 
the Confederate authorities and sold to Knox for Confederate money. Mrs. 
Lee brought suit for recovery and demanded payment in gold or silver, 
though at the time of the sale greenbacks were deemed legal tender. The 
defendant objected and the court sustained the objection, saying there was 
no difference in value in law between the two. Judgment was found for 
the plaintiff and was confinned by the Supreme Court of the United States. 
This decision overruled in part that given in the case of Hepburn vs. 
Griswold. 

Knoxville, Tenn., occupied by Bumside with a strong Federal force, 12,000 
men, in 1863, and beleagured and assaulted without success, November 17 
and 29, by Longstreet, who had pursued the Federal general thither. The 
first assault proving a failure, Longstreet decided to reduce Bumside by siege, 
but fearing Grant might come up and destroy him, he attempted another 
assault on the 29tli. The Confederates made a desperate charge, pushing 
each other up the parapet and many forcing their way through the embra- 
sures. They were hurled back each time with heavy loss, and at last drew 
off to bury their dead. The siege continued, however, for some days. Grant 
had ordered Shennan to go to Bumside's assistance. Shennan started to do 
.so, but meantime the battle of Chattanooga took place, and Sherman did not 



356 Dictionary of United States History. 

arrive until December 4. Then, after a short battle, Longstreet was com- 
pelled to raise the siege and retire. 

" Knoxville Gazette," earliest newspaper in Tennessee. It was established 
at Knoxville in 1793, by R. Roulstone, the same year that printing was 
introduced into the State. 

Knyphausen, Baron Wilhelm von (1716-1800), came to the United States 
as second in command of the Hessians in 1776. In 1777 he was placed in 
command of the German auxiliaries. He fought at Long Island, White 
Plains, Fort Washington, Brandywine and Monmouth. During the absence 
of Sir Henry Clinton in 1780, he was in command of New York. He 
returned to Europe in 1782. 

Kohl, John G. (1808-1878), visited America from Germany from 1854 to 
1858. He published many valuable works relating to the United States, 
including a series of maps and " History of the Discovery of the U. S. 
Coast," " History of the Two Oldest Charts of the New World," " History 
of the Discovery of the Northeastern Coast of America," " History of the 
Discovery of America," " History of the Discovery and Voyage through the 
Straits of Magellan," and " Travels in the United States." 

Kosciuszko, Tadeusz (1746-1817), came to America from Poland in 1775. 
He was commissioned colonel under General Gates in 1776, and distinguished 
himself by his engineering skill. He superintended the fortification at West 
Point. He was brevetted brigadier-general in 1783. He was afterward 
prominent in the defence of Poland in 1794. 

Kossuth, Louis (1802-1894,) was provisional Governor of Hungary during 
the Hungarian war for independence in 1848 and 1849. Exiled, he visited 
the United States from 1851 to 1852, and attempted to arouse the American 
people to support the cause of Hungary. The U. S. Government refused to 
interfere in the affairs of European powers. His eloquence aroused great 
enthusiasm. 

Koszta, Martin. In 1853 Koszta, an Hungarian refugee, was captured in 
the harbor of Smyrna and confined on an Austrian brig. The U. S. agent 
demanded his release, on the ground that he had taken the preliminary steps 
for becoming an American citizen. Captain Ingraham, commanding an 
American war-sloop, threatened to fire on the brig unless Koszta was released. 
He was therefore turned over to the French Consul until the matter could be 
arranged, and was afterward released. Ingraham's action was approved by 
both Houses of Congress the next year. May 7. 

Ku-Klux Klan, also called the "White League," the " Invisible Empire," 
the " Knights of the White Camelia," a society founded at Pulaski, Tenn., 
in 1866, during the reconstruction period. It was originally organized for 
purposes of amusement, but spread rapidly and terrorized the whole South 
by its mysterious movements. It opposed such organizations as the " Loyal 
Union League " and " Lincoln Brotherhood," formed among the newly 
freed negroes by the more disreputable class of whites through the South. 
The negroes were in some cases persecuted and frightened nearly to death 
and prevented from voting. The Klan was disbanded in 1869 by the order 
of the Government. Some members were arrested, but not convicted of 
misdemeanor. 



DicTioN.\RY OF United States History. 357 



L. 

Labor. (See Progressive Labor party, Union Labor party, United Labor 
party.) 

Labor Department, at first a bureau connected with the Department of 
the Interior. It was established as a department June 27, 1884. The chief 
officer is the Commissioner of Labor, whose duty it is to diffuse useful infor- 
mation among the people on labor questions, and to report the effect of cus- 
toms laws upon the currency and agricultural interests. 

Labor Statistics, Bureaus of. (See Bureaus.) 

Laboulaye, Edouard R. L. (1811-1883), was a prominent French student 
of law and political institutions. He was an admirer of American institu- 
tions, and advocated the cause of the Union during the war. He wrote 
" Political History of the United States," " The United States and France," 
" Paris in America," "The State and its Limits" and translated Channing's 
works. 

La Colle Mill, Canada, March 30, 1814, War of 181 2. To clear the way 
to Montreal, General Wilkinson, with 4000 Americans, pushed on against 
the British entrenched at La Colle Mill. The place was defended at first by 
200 men, but this number was increased to almost 1000 men during the battle 
by reinforcements. The British position was so well fortified that the 
assaults were easily repulsed; counter-charges were likewise unsuccessful. 
After two hours of desperate fighting the Americans withdrew with a loss 
of thirteen killed and 128 wounded; the British lost eleven killed and forty- 
six wounded. The military career of General Wilkinson ended with this 
battle; he was relieved from command, tried by court-martial, but acquitted. 

Laconia, now the State of New Hampshire. August 10, 1622, a grant 
was made to Sir Ferdinando Gorges of the land between the Merrimac and 
Sagadahock (Kennebec) Rivers. November 7, 1629, a grant was made to 
George Mason between the IMerrimac and the Piscataqua. In 1631 Mason 
and Gorges formed the Laconia Company and obtained an additional grant 
between Naumkeag and the Piscataqua. 

La Come, Pierre, a French-Canadian soldier who defeated the Indians at 
Lachine Rapids in 1747, and commanded at Grand Pre. He was an emissary 
to the Acadians in 1749. He fought at Quebec. 

Lafayette, Marquis de [Marie Jean Paul Joseph Roche Yves Gilbert du 
Motier] (September 6, 1757-May 20, 1834), a French general, was born in 
Auvergne of a noble family distinguished in the service of the State. As a 
boy he was a page to the queen. He was still a mere youth when the out- 
break of the American Revolution excited the sympathy of many high- 
spirited young Frenchmen, Lafayette among others. Having equipped a 
ship at his own expense he sailed from Bordeaux, with the nominal disap- 
proval of the French Government, in April, 1777. Landing in South Caro- 
lina he proceeded northward, was in July appointed a major-general, and 
soon became a fast friend of W^ashington. He was wounded at Brandywine, 



358 Dictionary of United States History. 

served at Monmouth and in the Rhode Island campaign, and sailed for France 
in 1779, returning in time to sit on the board of judges against Andrd. In 
1781 he commanded in Virginia against Arnold and then against Cornwallis, 
and earned distinction by his conduct of affairs against the able British general. 
After the war he returned to France, paid in 1784 a short visit to America, 
and on the breaking out of the French Revolution he was for a time one of 
the foremost figures. He commanded the National Guard, but by 1792 the 
Jacobins removed him, as a moderate, from the eastern department; escaping 
to Belgium he fell into the hands of the Prussians and Austrians and was 
imprisoned, chiefly at Olmiitz, until 1797. He did not accept office during 
the Napoleonic regime, but was a member of the Chamber of Deputies in the 
Restoration period. In 1824-25 he visited the United States and was received 
with the utmost enthusiasm. His last conspicuous service was as commander 
of the National Guard in the revolutionar>' days of 1830. 

Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., was chartered by Presbyterians in 1826, 
and fully organized four years later as a college preparatory to the profes- 
sions. In 1866 a scientific department was added through the gift of half a 
million dollars from Mr. Pardee. A law department was opened in 1875. 

Lafitte, Jean (i78o?-i826), pirate, came to New Orleans from France 
about 1809. With his brother Pierre he engaged in smuggling and piracy. 
Attempts to destroy their traffic were unsuccessful and they made a settle- 
ment at Barataria, on the island of Grand Terre. In 1814 the British made 
tempting offers to engage against the United States during the war, but they 
were refused, and the documents containing the proposals were sent to the 
Legislature. Believing them forgeries the Government sent an expedition 
against the buccaneers and destroyed their settlement. They afterward 
joined the forces of General Jackson and served during the war, on promise 
of pardon. From 1817 to 182 1 Lafitte occupied Galveston, nominally as 
Mexican Governor. 

Lake Borgne, Naval Battle on. Here Admiral Cochrane, with his fleet 
to attack New Orleans, had his passage disputed by some small war-vessels, 
carrying in all 182 men and twenty-three guns, Lieutenant Jones commander. 
He at once sent, December 14, 181 2, sixty barges with 1200 men under 
Captain Lockyer to capture the American fleet. The engagement was long 
and desperate, but resulted in a victory for the British at an expense of 300 
killed and wounded. The American loss was six killed and thirty-five 
wounded. 

Lake Erie, Battle on, a celebrated naval battle of the War of 1812. The 
American fleet, hastily built and equipped for the occasion, consisted of eight 
small vessels, two of twenty guns each, the rest only fourteen guns in all. 
The " Lawrence," Commodore Perr>-, was the flagship. The British 
squadron. Commodore Barclay, consisted of si.x vessels of seventy guns in 
all. The battle for the mastery of the lake began September 10, 1813. 
Perry's ship was flying the motto, " Don't give up the ship." The " Law- 
rence " for two hours bore the bnmt of the battle till it was almost a total 
wreck. In a small rowboat, amid the fire of the British fleet. Perry now 
crossed over to the " Niagara," which was almost untouched. On reaching 



Dictionary of United States History. 359 

this, he at once hoisted his pennant and dashed through the British line. 
Within ten minutes the flagship and three other British ships had sur- 
rendered. The other two were pursued and captured. Perry at once sent 
his famous despatch: " We have met the enemy, and they are ours." The 
American loss was twenty-seven killed and ninety-six wounded; the British, 
200 killed and 600 made prisoners. 

Lake George, Battle at. In the French and Indian War, on August 26, 
1755, William Johnson, with about 2000 men, appeared at Lake George. 
His purpose was to advance upon Ticonderoga. Dieskau, the French com- 
mander, advanced with 1500 men to cut off Johnson's communications. A 
division sent out to prevent this was cut to pieces. The French followed 
the retreating force to Fort William Henry, but were repulsed. Johnson did 
not follow up his victory. The English loss was 242, the French 228. 

Lake of the ^A^oods. By the Treaty of 1782-83 the boundary line 
between the British and American possessions ran along the forty-ninth par- 
allel on a line with the source of the Mississippi. The Louisiana Purchase 
in 1803 broke up conclusions as to the fairness of this line. Much dispute 
and negotiation followed. Finally by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 
1842, the line was agreed upon which ran across Lake Superior, then up a 
waterway agreed upon, thence down a stream to the Lake of the Woods and 
across that lake to a point at the northwest corner (49° 23' 55" north lati- 
tude), and then south to the 49° parallel and along it westerly to the Rocky 
Mountains. 

Lamar, Lucius Q. C. (1S25-1893), represented Mississippi in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1857 to 1861. He became a colonel in the 
Confederate service. In 1863 he was sent as a commissioner to Russia. He 
was a member of the U. S. House of Representatives from 1872 to 1877, 
and a Senator from 1877 to 1885. He was an effective speaker and an 
opponent of the " inflation policy." He was Secretary of the Interior in 
Cleveland's Cabinet from 1885 to 1888, when he became a Justice of the 
U. S. Supreme Court. 

Lamar, Mirabeau B. (i 798-1 859), was commissioned major in the Texan 
revolution. He was vice-president of Texas from 1836 to 1838, and presi- 
dent from 1838 to 1 84 1. He was prominent at Monterey during the Mexican 
War. 

Lamb, Martha J. R. N. (1829-1893), was bom in Massachusetts. She was 
the author of a " History of the City of New York," and many historical 
essays for periodicals. From 1883 to 1892 she was editor of the Magazine 
of American History. 

Lament, Daniel S., of New York, was born in 1851. He was private 
secretary to President Cleveland during his first administration. He became 
Secretary of War in Cleveland's Cabinet in 1893. 

Lancaster, Joseph (1778-1838), came to America from England in 1818. 
He was one of the inventors of the " monitorial " system of instruction and 
gave a great stimulus to popular education. 



360 Dictionary of United States History. 

Lancaster, Pa., was founded in 1718, and was called Hickon- Town until 
1730. In 1777 Congress sat here for a few days, and from 1799 to 1812 it 
was the capital of the State. It became a city in 181 8. 

Land Bank. In 17 14, during Governor Dudley's rule of Massachusetts, 
the downfall of credit and general scarcity of circulating medium induced 
certain merchants to suggest the erection of a Bank of Credit in Boston, 
founded on land security, and to promote subscription promised ;^200 annu- 
ally to Harvard College. Dudley was greatly opposed to this measure and 
his son wrote an able paper setting forth the objections to such a scheme. 
To forestall the action of the bank, the province, by law, issued ^50,000 to 
be let out on mortgages of real estate, and these bills were in circulation 
during thirty years. The Land Bank scheme was thus prevented. 

Land Office. This office is charged with the surveying and disposal of 
the public lands of the United States. Until 1812, no such office existed, 
the Secretar}' of the Treasury acting as the agent in the sale or disposal of 
the public lands. When the office of the Commissioner of the General Land 
Office was created, it remained a bureau of the Treasury Department, though 
reorganized in 1836, until 1849, when, on the creation of the Interior Depart- 
ment, the Land Office became a part of it. 

Lander, Frederick W. (1822-1862), conducted several trans-continental 
explorations for the United States. He was appointed brigadier-general dur- 
ing the Civil War, and won distinction at Philippi, Hancock and Blooming 
Gap. 

Lands, Public. After the Revolution the Federal Government found 
great difficulty in regulating the enormous tracts of public lands, which had 
been acquired through purchase and conquest from the Indians and by the 
cessions of the various States of their outlying territories. In 1787 the 
price of public land was 66;^ cents per acre, and large tracts north of the 
Ohio were disposed of. Unauthorized entries were frequently made, however, 
and force had to be used for dislodgment. In 1790 Hamilton proposed that 
the public lands should be set apart in townships ten miles square, and dis- 
posed of to suit different classes of purchasers on a credit basis. The rectan- 
gular system was in fact adopted in 1796. Up to the year 1800 all sales had 
been made from the territory now included in Ohio and amounted to 1,484,- 
047 acres. In 1800 local registers were established. The credit basis of 
sale caused numerous purchases, but payment was slow and in discouragingly 
small amounts, while the debtors constantly cried for relief The States, too, 
claimed a share in the profits. Upon the question of ceding public lands to 
new States, Henr>' Clay prepared for the land committee a report reviewing 
the historv^ of the public lands and concluding that it was inexpedient 
either to reduce the price of the lands or to cede them to the new States. 
In 1835 speculation in public lands became popular, owing to the inflated 
condition of the currency, which proved injurious to the public interests. 
In 1836 Jackson issued his "specie circular." (See art.) It was not until 
in 1840 that the right of pre-emption was accorded to settlers. By 1850 
it became common to make grants of lands to States, corporations and 
individuals for public improvements, such as railroads and canals. In 1862 



Dictionary of United States History. 361 

the homestead laws, granting free settlement on public lands, tended 
greatly to simplify matters and to promote real settlement. 

Lane, Henry Smith (1811-1881), was a Republican member of the Indi- 
ana Legislature from 1838 to 1843. ^^ was a lieutenant-colonel during the 
Mexican War. He served in the U. S. Senate from 1861 to 1867. 

Lane, James Henry (1814-1866), commanded a brigade at Buena Vista 
in the Mexican War. He represented Indiana in the U. S. Congress as a 
Democrat from 1853 to 1855. He was a leader of the Free-Soil party and 
prominent in the Kansas disturbances from 1855 to 1859. He represented 
Kansas in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1861 to 1866. 

Lane, Joseph (1801-1881), served in the Indiana Legislature from 1822 
to 1846. He was brevetted major during the Mexican War. He was 
engaged at Buena Vista, Huamantla and Matamoras and commanded at 
Atlixco. He was a delegate from Oregon to the U. S. Congress as a Demo- 
crat from 1851 to 1857. He was a U. S. Senator from 1859 to 1861. He 
was defeated as candidate for Vice-President of the United States on the 
Breckinridge ticket in i860. 

Lane, Sir Ralph (i530?-i6o4), assumed charge of Sir Walter Raleigh's 
Virginia colony sent out in 1585. The colony was established on Roanoke 
Island, but was abandoned in 1585, and Lane returned to England. 

Langdon, John (1741-1819), was a delegate from New Hampshire to the 
Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776 and in 1783. He devoted his estate 
to the cause of the Revolution, and fought at Bennington and Saratoga. 
He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He was a 
Democratic U. S. Senator from 1789 to 1801. He was Governor of New 
Hampshire from 1805 to 1809, and from 18 10 to 1811. 

Langlade, Charles M. de (i 729-1 800), led the Ottawas in the defeat of 
General Braddock in 1755. He aided Montcalm during the siege of Quebec, 
and was active in the battle on the Plains of Abraham. In 1777 he led a 
band of Indians in aid of the EnglLsh under Burgoyne. From 1780 to 1800 
he was commander-in-chief of the Canadian militia. 

Lanier, Sidney (1842-1881), poet, served in the Confederate army during 
the Civil War. He composed the ode for the opening of the Centennial 
Exhibition in 1876. 

Lansing, John (i 754-1829), was a delegate from New York to the Con- 
tinental Congress from 1784 to 1788. He was a delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1787 which framed the Constitution, but refused to 
sign it, and opposed its ratification. In 1790 he was appointed a Justice of 
the New York Supreme Court, and in 1798 became Chief Justice. From 
1801 to 1814 he was Chancellor of the State. 

Lansing, Mich., was settled about 1847, when it became the capital of 
the State. It received a city charter in 1859. 

La Pe'rouse, Jean T. de 0.(1741-1788), commanded " L'Amazone " in 
D'Estaiug's flotilla in the Revolutionar}- War. In 1780 he destroyed five 



362 Dictionary of United States History. 

English vessels, and in 1782 destroyed the British posts on Hudson Bay. 
From 1786 to 1788 he explored the Pacific. 

Larkin, Thomas O., born in 1803, U. S. Consul at Monterey, Cal., was 
proninient in all the movements which led to the separation of California 
from Mexico, and in the organization of its government. 

La Salle, Sieur de [Robert Cavelier] (1643-1687), a distinguished French 
explorer, was born at Rouen. In 1669 he emigrated to Canada, and began 
the series of his remarkable journeys in the West. He visited Lake Michi- 
gan and the Illinois River, but whether he at this early stage saw the Missis- 
sippi is a disputed problem. In 1673 he received a grant of the station at 
Fort Frontenac (now Kingston). He was again in France in 1677, but the 
next year was back in Canada and had reached Niagara. He ascended the 
chain of lakes to Mackinaw, thence up Lake Michigan and down the Illinois 
River to Peoria. Disappointments followed; but he was able to renew the 
canoe voyage, descend the Illinois and Mississippi to its mouth, which he 
reached in April, 1682, and to claim the entire region for Louis XIV. 
Returning to France, he organized an expedition which, in 1684, sailed 
directly for the mouth of the great river. But the explorers landed by 
mistake at Matagorda Bay, and after harassing wanderings La Salle was 
murdered by his followers within the limits of Texas. 

Latimer Case (1842), the first of a series of famous fugitive slave trials 
which took place in Boston. George Latimer was seized without a warrant. 
A writ of habeas corpus was denied, and the defendant was kept in the 
custody of the city jailer pending the securing of evidence against him. A 
writ of personal replevin, under the Act of 1837, securing trial by jury, was 
denied, the act being held illegal under the Prigg decision. Great indigna- 
tion was aroused in Boston, and Latimer was finally released by his jailer on 
the payment of $400. The State Act of 1843 followed, forbidding ofiBcers 
to aid in the capture of fugitive slaves, or to permit the use of State jails for 
their imprisonment. 

La Tour, Charles A. de St. E., died in 1665. He was lieutenant-general 
of Acadia from 1631 to 1644. He was Governor and lieutenant-general of 
Acadia from 1650 to 1654. 

Laud, William (1573-1644), Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633 to 
1 64 1, sought to establish uniformity of worship by enforcing conformity to 
the Church of England. He increased the power of the clergy and punished 
all dissenters. His persecutions of the Puritans, who maintained liberty of 
conscience, caused them to seek refuge in other lands and many came to 
America. He was impeached in 1642 and executed in 1644. 

Laudonnie're, Rene de (d. after 1586), founded a Huguenot colony in 1564 
at Fort Caroline, Florida (Port Royal, S. C), which was destroyed by the 
Spaniards under Menendez in 1565. He published a history of Florida in 

1586. 

Laurens, Henry (1724-1792), was a member of the first South Carolina 
Provincial Congress in 1775. He was a delegate from South Carolina to the 
Continental Congress from 1777 to 1780, and was its president from 1777 to 



Dictionary of United States History. 363 

1778. He was appointed Minister to Holland in 1779; was captured during 
the voyage by the British, and confined in prison for fifteen months. In 
17 81 he was appointed one of the commissioners to negotiate a treaty of 
peace with Great Britain. In 1782 he signed the preliminary Treaty of Paris. 
Impaired health forced him to retire from public life. 

Laurens, John (i 756-1 782), became an aide to Washington at the out- 
break of the Revolution, and is said to have engaged in all of Washington's 
battles. He fought at Brandywine, Monmouth, Germautown, Charleston 
and Savannah. In 1781 he was appointed a commissioner to France, and 
obtained aid in money and supplies. He fought at Yorktown, and while 
serving under General Greene, was killed in a skirmish. 

Law, John (1671-1729), established a private bank in Paris in 1716. In 
1 7 18 his plan of a National Bank and an issue of paper money was adopted 
by the French regent. In 17 19 depreciated national currency was received 
at its par value in payment for shares in Law's scheme for colonizing the 
Mississippi Valley. Speculation and the inflated currency caused a panic in 
1720. 

Lawrence, Abbott (1792-1855), represented Massachusetts in the U. S. 
Congress as a Whig from 1835 to 1837. He was Minister to Great Britain 
from 1847 to 1852. He founded the Lawrence Scientific School at Har\'ard 
College. 

Lawrence, James (1781-1813), was engaged in naval warfare on the Bar- 
bary coast from 1804 to 1809, commanding the " Argus," " Vixen " and 
*' Wasp." In 1813 while commanding the " Hornet " he captured the British 
brig " Peacock " after an engagement of fifteen minutes with a loss of only 
•one killed and two wounded. When placed in command of the " Chesapeake " 
he accepted a challenge from Captain Broke of the " Shannon." His defeat 
was caused by the imperfect discipline of the newly shipped crew. Lawrence 
was mortally wounded. His last injunction was, " Don't give up the ship." 

Lawrence, William B. (1800-1881), was acting Governor of Rhode 
Island in 1851. He was one of the chief American authorities upon inter- 
national law, and edited an edition of Wheaton published in 1855. 

Lawrence, Kan., was founded in 1854, and became the headquarters of 
the anti-slaver}' settlers during the struggle which followed. On August 25, 
1863, the town was burned by Confederate guerrillas under Quantrell, and 
145 of the inhabitants massacred. 

Lea, Henry C, born in 1825, o^ Philadelphia, organized the system of 
municipal bounties during the Civil War. He wrote " Superstition and 
Force," a " History of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages," and other scholarly 
works on mediaeval history. 

" Leander." April 25, 1806, while the feeling in this country was intensely 
bitter toward Great Britain, a shot from the British war-ship " Leander," 
then lying off Sandy Hook, killed John Pierce, helmsman on an American 
coaster. The citizens of New York denounced the outrage in a mass meet- 
ing, and called upon the National Government for better protection of the 
harbor. A proclamation of the President interdicted British supplies and 



364 Dictionary of United States History. 

ordered the arrest of the " Leander's " captain, if found within our 
jurisdiction. 

Lear, Tobias (1762-18 16), became private secretary to Washington in 
1785, and for several years superintended his domestic affairs. He was a 
commissioner to conchide peace with Tripoli in 1805. 

Leavenworth, Kan., was settled in 1854. Fort Leavenworth was estab- 
lished near the site of the city in 1827. 

Leavitt, Joshua (i 794-1 873), was an ardent temperance reformer and 
anti-slavery advocate. He was chairman of the national committee of the 
Liberty party from 1844 to 1847. He was connected with the New York 
Judcpcndoit from 1848 to 1873. 

Lechford, Thomas (i590?-i644), came to America from England in 
1638, but returned in 1641. He wrote " Plaine Dealing or Newes from New 
England," which contains much valuable information. 

Lecky, William E. H., bom in 1838, English historian, wrote a " History 
of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe," and a 
" History of European Morals from Augustus to Charlemagne," but is of 
especial interest to Americans as the author of a " History of England in 
the Eighteenth Century," publication of which began in 1878, which gives 
an admirable account of the American Revolution from the modern English 
point of view. 

Lecompton Constitution, a Constitution adopted by the pro-slavery party 
of Kansas in a convention held at Lecompton September 5, 1857. The Con- 
stitution sanctioned slavery, and prohibited the passage of emancipation 
laws by the Legislature. It was provided that the Constitution should not, 
as a whole, be submitted to the people of the territory; they were only to vote 
for " the Constitution with slavery" or " the Constitution without slavery."' 
Free-State settlers abstaining, the former alternative prevailed by a large 
majority. Later, without authorization from the convention, the Territorial 
Leeislature ordered a vote on the Constitution as a whole. It was voted 
down by a large majority, slave-State settlers now abstammg. 

Ledyard, John (1751-17S9), of Connecticut, traveler, accompanied Captain 
James Cook on his last voyage, and published an account of it. He after- 
ward traveled through Russia and Siberia. 

Ledyard, William (1750-1781), defended Fort Griswold, Conn., with 157 
imtrained men against the British in 1781. After the surrender the British, 
commanded by Major Bromfield, massacred the entire garrison. 

Lee, Ann (1736-1784), founded the "Shakers" in 1771. She declared 
herself the " second appearing of Christ." She emigrated from England 
to the United States in 1774 and established her colony at Water\'liet, N. Y. 

Lee, Arthur (1740-1792), of Virginia, brother of R. H. Lee and Francis 
Lightfoot Lee, was prominent as author of the " Alonitor's Letters," " An 
Appeal to the English Nation" and "Junius Americanus." In 1770 he 
was appointed London agent of the Massachusetts colony. In 1776 he was 
appointed with Franklin and Deane to secure a treaty of alliance with 



Dictionary of United States History. 365 

France. In 1777 and 1778 he was commissioner to Spain and Prussia. 
From 1782 to 17S5 he was a member of the Continental Congress. From 
1784 to 1789 he was a member of the Board of Treasury of the Confedera- 
tion. He opposed the adoption of the Constitution. He was a man of 
learning and talents, but vain and captious. Life by R. H. Lee. 

Lee, Charles (1731-1782), was born in England, and served in the army 
at Braddock's defeat and through the French and Indian War. Some years 
of miscellaneous experiences in the Portuguese service and on the Polish 
staff, interspersed with pamphleteering, left him a lieutenant-colonel on 
half-pay. Removing to America in 1773 he contrived to pose as a great 
military light, and was in 1775 appointed the second in rank of the major- 
generals. He was at the siege of Boston, commenced the fortifications of 
New York, and received the credit of the victory at Charleston in 1776. In 
the autumn campaign of that year he disregarded Washington's orders to 
leave Northcastle, and was soon afterward captured at Baskingridge in New 
Jersey. He had intrigued against Washington, and it has recently been 
proved that in captivity he negotiated with the Howes. He was exchanged 
in time to receive command of the van at Monmouth; his disgraceful retreat 
there is well known. After the battle he was suspended for disobedience, 
misbehavior and disrespect, and was eventually dismissed from the army. 
He died in obscurity at Philadelphia. 

Lee, Charles (1758-1815), was a delegate from Virginia to the Continental 
Congress. He was naval officer of the Potomac till 1795. He was U. S. 
Attorney-General from 1795 to 1801. 

Lee, Fitzhugh, born in 1835, was promoted major-general in the Confed- 
erate army, and served as a cavalry commander in all the campaigns of the 
Army of Northern Virginia. He was elected Governor of Virginia in 1885. 
He was a nephew of Gen. R. E. Lee. 

Lee, Francis Lightfoot (1734-1797), brother of R. H. Lee and A. Lee, 
was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses from 1765 to 1772. He 
was a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1779. He signed 
the Declaration of Independence, and aided in drafting the Articles of 
Confederation. 

Lee, Henry (1756-1818), a Revolutionary partisan hero, was a member 
of tlie Virginia family of Lees, and graduated at Princeton. He attained 
distinction in the latter half of the war as major of a partisan corps called 
" Lee's Legion," whence he derived his epithet of "Light-Horse Harry." 
He performed a brilliant exploit in 1779, in the capture of Paulus Hook, 
and received a gold medal. In 1781 he ably covered the retreat of Greene's 
army, took a distinguished part at Guilford, Eutaw Springs, and the opera- 
tions in the Carolinas and Georgia. He was a member of the Continental 
Congress, of the ratifying convention of 1788, was a Federalist, and Governor 
of Virginia in 1 792-1 795. In 1794 he led the expedition to suppress the 
Whiskey Rebellion. As Congressman, 1799-1801, it was his lot to pronounce 
the eulogy on Washington, containing the famous characterization, " First in 
war," etc. His death was caused by injuries inflicted by a Baltimore mob 
in 1814. 



366 Dictionary of United States History. 

Lee, Richard Henry (1732-1794), a member of a noted Virginia family, 
was educated in England. For many years, 1761-1788, he was a leader in 
the Virginia House of Burgesses and Legislature. He earnestly opposed the 
slave trade, the Stamp Act, and was one of the first among the patriot chiefs 
to suggest the employment of the famous committees of correspondence. 
As a delegate to the first Continental Congress he was on the committee to 
draft the address, and in the Second Congress he drew up the address to the 
people of Great Britain. On June 7, 1776, he moved the resolutions of 
independence. Meanwhile as the war proceeded, Lee was active in strictly 
Virginian as well as in national matters, and opposed vigorously the paper- 
money policy in his State. He was president of Congress, and in 1788 he 
was an Anti-Federalist champion for the rejection of the Federal Constitu- 
tion. From 1789 to 1792 he was U. S. Senator. Life by R. H. Lee. 

Lee, Robert Edward (January 19, 1807-October 12, 1870), the great 
general of the Confederacy, was the son of Henry Lee (" Light-Horse Harry ") 
and was born at Stratford, Va. He was graduated with high standing at West 
Point in 1829. ^^ the Mexican War he served as chief engineer on the stafi" 
of General Wool, and was distinguished in the advance on the capital, 
especially at Chapultepec. From 1852 to 1855 he was commandant at West 
Point. In 1859 he was sent against John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, 
and he had reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel by 1861. When his State 
seceded, Lee resigned, April 20, from the U. S. army, accepted the command 
of the State forces, and in May was appointed a general in the Confederate 
army. For a year he was inconspicuously employed in Virginia and 
South Carolina. The wounding of General J. E. Johnston at Fair Oaks, 
May 31, 1862, called Lee to supreme command. Henceforth his history is 
that of the Anny of Northern Virginia. He commanded in the Seven Days' 
battles, beat Pope at the second battle of Bull Run, and immediately began 
his first invasion of the North. Chance revealed his plans to McClellan. 
His prestige was not impaired by the drawn battle of Antietam, and the 
army and its general gained new honors by the victories of Fredericksburg 
and Chancellorsville. His second invasion of the North resulted disastrously 
at Gettysburg. In the next year, 1864, he was pitted against Grant, whom 
he opposed stubbornly at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor. 
The long siege of Petersburg and Richmond followed. Lee's efforts to ward 
off the break-up of the Confederacy were unavailing. Compelled to evacuate 
Richmond on April 2, 1865, he sought to effect a junction with Johnston, but 
was hemmed in by Grant's army and forced to surrender at Appomattox 
April 9. Soon afterward he became president of Washington College in 
Lexington, Va. (now Washington and Lee University), and remained there 
until his death. Lee was a man of singularly noble character, and much 
revered and beloved. Life by J. E. Cooke. 

Legal-Tender Cases. After the breaking out of the Civil War Congress 
was compelled in 1862 to issue $150,000,000 in Treasury' notes, and made 
them legal tender for payment of private debts and all public dues except 
duties on imports and interest on the public debt. These notes became the 
circulating medium to a large extent. The constitutional validity of these 



Dictionary of United States History. 367 

Legal-Tender Acts was strongly contested, especially in their application to 
debts contracted prior to their passage. Their constitutionality was gener- 
ally maintained by the State courts, however. In 1869, this question came 
before the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Hepburn vs. 
Griswold. The validity of the acts was in this instance maintained only ia 
so far as it did not affect the obligations of contracts made prior to their 
passage. A year later, in the case of Knox vs. Lee, this decision was over- 
ruled, and the constitutionality of the act was upheld in its applicability to 
pre-existing debts, though by a majority of the court only. The composi- 
tion of the court had meantime been altered, two new judges having been 
appointed. See Hepburn vs. Griswold, Knox vs. Lee, and Juilliard vs. 
Greenman. 

Legare, Hugh S. (i 789-1 843), was an anti-nullification member of the 
South Carolina Legislature from 1820 to 1822 and 1824 to 1830. He was 
State Attorney-General from 1830 to 1832. He was charge d'affaires at 
Brussels from 1833 to 1836. Was a member of the U. S. Congress as a 
Union Democrat from 1837 to 1839, and was Attorney-General of the United 
States in Tyler's Cabinet from 1841 to 1843, and Secretary of State in 
1843. 

Legislature. The first elected representative legislature in America was 
that which met at Jamestown, Va., in 1619. The colonies of Southern New 
England started with primary assemblies, from which representative assem- 
blies were soon developed. In New York the first true legislature was 
assembled in 1683. In general the colonial legislatures were modeled on the 
British Parliament, the procedure of which they followed closely. To king, 
lords and commons corresponded the governor, the council appointed by him, 
and the representatives of the people, variously called house of burgesses, 
house of delegates, assembly, or house of representatives. These last were 
elected by voters having a property qualification, two members or more for 
each county in the Middle and Southern States, one or two from each town 
in New England. The Revolution broke up the upper houses or councils, 
and the new constitutions substituted what in Virginia (1776) and then in 
the other States was called a senate. Pennsylvania and Georgia had at first 
legislatures of but one house. The legislatures of the Southern States were 
generally given the power to choose the governor. The Constitution of 1787 
gave the State Legislatures the right to choose U. S. Senators. All the 
amendments to the Federal Constitution have been ratified by them. In 
general it has been felt that State Legislatures have been declining in excel- 
lence during the last two generations. State constitutions have imposed 
more and more restrictions upon their action. 

Leisler, Jacob (born in Germany, died 1691), came to America in the 
service of the Dutch West India Company. From 1683 to 1688 he was one 
of the commissioners of the New York Court of Admiralty. In 1689 he 
headed a revolution against the Jacobite office-holders. He was placed at 
the head of the provisional Government, and continued in office until 1691. 
He was succeeded by Henry Sloughter, and soon afterward executed on a 
charge of treason. In 1695 Parliament reversed the charge. 



368 Dictionary of United States History. 

Leland Stanford Jr. University, Palo Alto, Cal., was founded by means 
of the gifts of Senator Stanford in memory of his son. These gifts in land 
and money are estimated at twenty million dollars. The university opened 
in October, 1891. 

Le Moine, Sauvolle (1671 ?-i70i), was educated in France, where he was 
eminent for his attainments. He was appointed first colonial Governor of 
lyouisiana by Louis XIV., serving from 1699 to 1701. 

Lenox, James (1800-1880), was founder of the Lenox Librar}', New York, 
which in many respects surpasses in value any other library of Americana. 
The collection of rare books and manuscripts is valued at nearly a million 
dollars. 

Lenox Library, a librarv' in New York City, especially noted for its rich- 
ness in rare Americana. It was collected by James Lenox, who at his death 
in 1880 left it, with funds for increase, to trustees for the benefit of American 
scholarship. 

Letcher, John (1813-1874), represented Virginia in the JJ. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1851 to 1859. He was Governor of the State from i860 
to 1864, and aided the Confederate cause. 

" Levant," ship. (See " Constitution.") 

Leverett, Sir John (1616-1679), came to America from England in 1632. 
He was a delegate to the Massachusetts General Court from 1651 to 1653, 
and in 1663. He was major-general from 1663 to 1673, Governor from 1673 
to 1679. 

Levis, Francois G., due de (1720-1787), was second in command at Que- 
bec when it was captured by the British in 1759, and succeeded Montcalm 
in command of the French forces. In 1760 he was forced to capitulate to 
the English. 

Lew Chew. The United States concluded with Lew Chew a treaty of 
friendship and commerce in 1854. 

Lewis, Andrew (1720-1781), came to America (Virginia) from Ireland in 
1732. He commanded at the battle of Point Pleasant in 1774 and served in 
the Continental army from 1775 to 1777. 

Lewis, Francis (1713-1803), came to America from England in 1735. He 
was a member of the New York delegation in the first Colonial Congress 
at New York City in 1765. He was a member of the Continental Congress 
from 1776 to 1779. He signed the Declaration of Independence and in 1779 
was a commissioner of the Board of Admiralty. 

Lewis, Meriwether (i 774-1 809), explorer, was secretary to President 
Jefferson from 1801 to 1803. He commanded an expedition with William 
Clark across the continent from 1803 to 1806. They ascended the Missouri 
River, named three of its tributaries the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin 
Rivers, and descended the Columbia River to its mouth. From 1807 to 
1809 he was Governor of Missouri Territory. 

Lewis, Morgan (1754-1844), served in the Continental army from 1776 
to 1783, commandiug at Stone Arabia and Crown Point. He was Chief 



Dictionary of United States History. 369 

Justice of New York from 1801 to 1804 and Governor from 1804 to 1807. 
He was a major-general in the Niagara campaign and commanded at Sackett's 
Harbor and French Creek. 

Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 1804-06, Meriwether Lewis and 
William Clark, under orders from President Jefferson, ascended the Mis- 
souri to its sources, crossed the Rocky Mountains, struck the head waters of 
the Columbia River, floated down that river to its mouth and explored a great 
deal of the Oregon country. Their explorations covered nearly all the 
country' south of the 49° parallel. Their company was composed of nine 
Keutuckians and fourteen soldiers. They started for the East March 23, 
1806, having explored nearly the whole of the Northwest regions. History, 
edited by Cones. 

Lewisites, in New York political history, the followers of Morgan Lewis, 
who was related by marriage to the Livingstons, and was Governor of New 
York from 1804 to 1807. In the latter year the Lewisites and Burrites 
united and became known as " Martling men," later Bucktails. 

Lexington, Ky., was settled in 1775 by Colonel Robert Patterson. The 
town was incorporated in 1782, and the first Legislature of the State met 
here. The State University was removed here in 1865. 

Lexington, Mass., Battle of, April 19, 1775. On the night of April 18, 1775, 
8000 British regulars were secretly despatched from Boston to arrest Samuel 
Adams and John Hancock at Lexington, and to seize the military' stores 
collected at Concord. News of their approach was spread through the inter- 
vening towns by Paul Revere, and at daybreak, when the British arrived at 
Lexington, they found fifty minute-men drawn up on the village green. 
The advance guard, under Major Pitcairn, fired upon them, but they held 
their ground until the main body of the British, under Lieutenant-Colonel 
Smith, appeared. They then gave way, and the regulars pushed forward to 
Concord. Here they were unable to discover any military stores, and while 
they were committing some depredations affairs took a sudden turn. 200 
regulars, who guarded Concord bridge, were routed by some 400 minute- 
men who had hastily collected from neighboring towns. The position of 
the British thus became perilous. About noon they started for Boston, sub- 
jected to a galling fire from all sides. Exhausted by their march of 
eighteen miles and their fast of fourteen hours, they fell into a disorderly 
flight, and were saved only by the timely assistance of Lord Percy, who 
came from Boston with 1200 reinforcements and two cannon. Seven miles 
from Boston their passage was for a while disputed by a force of militia. 
The whole countryside was out against them; once more their retreat became 
a rout, and at simset they entered Charlestown under the welcome protection 
of the fleet, on the full run, just in time to avoid an encounter with Colonel 
Pickering and 700 Essex militia. The loss of the British was 273, that of 
the Americans ninety-three. In the first place the battle showed that the 
colonists could not be frightened into submission. It also showed the 
efficiency and promptness of the town militia. Twenty-three towns were 
represented among the wounded and slain, and by the end of the week 
16,000 men were besieging Gage in Boston. 

24 



370 Dictionary of United States History. 

Lexington, Mo., assaulted and captured August 20, 1861, by 28,000 Con- 
federates, led by McCulloch. Mulligan, with a National force of 3000, held 
the town. Repeated attacks were made and thirteen pieces of artillery were 
brought to bear upon the besieged, but the latter held out bravely for a long 
time. Finally the Confederates constructed movable breastworks of hemp 
bales and, rolling these before them, they compelled Colonel Mulligan to 
surrender unconditionally, the water supply of the town having given out 
and he being severely wounded. 

Leyden, an inland city of Holland, where the Pilgrims, after leaving 
England and living for a time in Amsterdam, settled in May, 1609. They 
were about 100 English men, women and children. A church was organized 
in 161 1 and for a time things went well. But controversies arose and they 
could not accommodate themselves to the conditions of life in Leyden. In 
1 61 7 Carver and Cushman were dispatched to London to negotiate with the 
Virginia Company for settlement on their territory. An agreement was 
speedily concluded. In July, 1620, a small ship, the " Speedwell," was 
bought and fitted out in Holland, and the Pilgrims left Leyden for Delft- 
haven, thence to embark for Southampton, where the " Mayflower " awaited 
them. 

Libby Prison, a large building in Richmond, Va., named for its owner, 
who used it as a ship-chandlery before the Civil War. During the war it 
became famous as a Confederate military prison, in which many Federal 
soldiers were confined. 

Liberal Republican Party, an abortive offshoot from the regular Republi- 
can party in 1870-72. Its origin was a reaction from the coercive measures 
to maintain the newly-granted rights of the negroes and suppress the Ku- 
Klux organizations. A union of the Liberal Republicans and the Demo- 
crats was first formed with considerable success in Missouri in 1870-71. 
They advocated universal suflfrage, universal amnesty, a reform of the tarifl" 
and a " cessation of the unconstitutional laws to cure Ku-Klux disorders." 
A general convention assembled at Cincinnati in May, 1872, and nominated 
Horace Greeley for President, whom the Democrats also nominated. He 
was defeated because many Democrats refused to vote for him. B. Gratz 
Brown, of Missouri, was the candidate for Vice-President. 

Liberia, a negro republic on the west coast of Africa. It was at first a 
colony of free negroes founded by the American Colonization Society in 
1 816 for the betterment of the negroes in the United States. It was at first 
governed by the whites, but became independent in 1847. After the Civil 
War many of the freed slaves in the United States were permitted and, 
indeed, encouraged to migrate to Liberia, and financial aid was afforded them 
to do so. A treaty of commerce was concluded in 1862. 

" Liberty," a sloop belonging to John Hancock, which was seized in 
1768 in Massachusetts on the ground of having evaded the customs. Con- 
siderable excitement arose, and the royal revenue olBcers, in pretended fear 
of their lives, took refuge on the man-of-war " Romney." 

Liberty Bell, cast in London and received at Philadelphia in August, 
1752, when it was hung in the Pennsylvania State House, afterward known 



Dictionary of United States History. 371 

as Independence Hall. The bell was broken up and recast in April, and 
again in June, 1753. It announced the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 
1776. It was cracked July 8, 1835, while being tolled in memory of Chief 
Justice Marshall. The bell was exhibited in the Pennsylvania State Build- 
ing at the World's Columbian Exhibition at Chicago in 1893. 

Liberty Tree, the tree on which a Boston mob hanged the effigy of 
Andrew Oliver, of Boston, in August, 1765. Oliver had agreed to become 
distributor of stamps under the famous Stamp Act passed that year. 

Libraries. The first library established in the United States was that of 
Harvard College, founded in 1638. In 1700 a public library was founded 
in New York City. It was afterward converted, in 1754, into a subscription 
library. Dr. Franklin and his associates, in 1731, started in Philadelphia a 
library company and the first subscription library. The Library of Congress 
was begun in 1800, on the establishment of the seat of government at 
Washington. The Public Library of Boston, founded in 1848, stands next 
to the Library of Congress in point of the number and value of its collec- 
tions. It contains over 500,000 volumes and has eleven subsidiary branches. 
The school-district library system originated in New York State in 1838 and 
has been adopted by a large number of the other States. From 1820 to 
1870 twenty-nine subscription or mercantile libraries were established in 
various cities. There are now in the United States nearly 4000 libraries of 
1000 volumes or more, which are more or less free aud public. Their 
increase and success throughout the Union has been enormous. 

Library of Congress. Founded by Act of Congress April 24, 1800, and 
permanently organized on the basis of a report made by John Randolph 
December 21, 1801, $5000 being appropriated for the purchase of books. 
It was and is now located in the Capitol Building. When the British held 
Washington for a single day, August 25, 1814, the Capitol was burned and 
with it the library. The same Congress bought 6700 volumes from Thomas 
Jefferson for $23,950. In 1824 ^^ Act of Congress provided for an annual 
appropriation of $5000 for purchasing books, and the library was placed in 
the central Capitol Building. In 1851 a second fire destroyed about 30,000 
volumes. In 1852 $75,000 were appropriated for the reconstruction of the 
rooms and $75,000 for the immediate purchase of books. The library 
numbered 75,000 books in i860. A new and separate librarj' building is 
now (1894) being constructed. The library now numbers more than 675,000 
volumes. 

Lick, James (1796-1876), bequeathed his immense fortune to philan- 
thropic enterprises. He founded the famous Lick Observatory at Mount 
Hamilton, Cal. 

Lieber, Francis (1800-1872), born and educated in Germany, came to 
America in 1827. He published the Encyclopsedia Americana in 1832. He 
ardently upheld the Union during the Civil War, and was often consulted 
by the executive. He wrote many important political works, among them 
n " Manual of Political Ethics," " Legal and Political Henneneutics " and 
"Civil Liberty and Self-Government." He was professor in the South 



372 Dictionary of United States History. 

Carolina College from 1S38 to 1856 and in Columbia College from 1857 to 
1872. 

Lieutenant, in colonial Virginia the leading oflBcer of a county, corre- 
sponding to the lord-lieutenant of an Englisli county. His duties were to 
enroll and lead the militia, and also to supervise the administration of the 
tobacco laws and hold a court for minor offences. 

Lieutenant-General. This office was first created in 1798, General Wash- 
ington being chosen to fill it. It was abolished in 1799, and was not revived 
until 1855, being then filled by General Winfield Scott. In 1864 General 
Grant was appointed to this grade, and on his appointment to the general- 
ship, William T. Sherman was chosen lieutenant-general in 1866. General 
Philip H. Sheridan was made lieutenant-general in 1883. With his death 
in 1888 the office became extinct. 

Ligonia. (See Lygonia.) 

Liliuokalani, bom in 1838, succeeded to the throne of Hawaii in 1891. 
She was deposed and a provisional government established in 1893. She 
charged the U. S. Minister with complicity in the revolution, and attempted 
in vain to secure restoration. 

Lincoln, Abraham (February 12, 1809-April 15, 1865), the sixteenth 
President of the United States, was born in Hardin County, Ky. Both 
there and in Indiana, to which in 1816 the family removed, as well as in 
Illinois, whither they went in 1830, Lincoln had the privations and also the 
training of a backwoodsman's life. His later epithet of the "rail-splitter" is 
a reminiscence of this early period, and he also about this time made a flat- 
boat voyage to New Orleans. In the Black Hawk War of 1832 he served 
as captain and private. He tried keeping store and failed, studied law, was 
postmaster of New Salem in Illinois, and deputy surveyor of the county. 
As a politician he had better success, and after one defeat serv'ed in the Leg- 
islature from 1834 to 1842. Meanwhile he removed to Springfield and built 
up a law practice. From 1847 to 1849 ^^ "^^^ ^ Whig Congressman, but 
was not notably prominent. His importance dates from the Kansas- 
Nebraska controversy. In its progress he became the Republican State 
leader, and in 1858 he took part with Stephen A. Douglas in a series of 
joint debates in canvassing for the U. S. Senatorship. Lincoln was defeated, 
but the discussion had aroused great interest, and his utterances, e. g., " a 
house divided against itself cannot stand," brought him into national prom- 
inence. In February, i860, he delivered a remarkable political speech at 
Cooper Institute, New York. He was pressed for the Presidency by many 
Western Republicans in the Chicago Convention in May, though Seward 
was in the lead at the outset. Amid great excitement Lincoln was nomi- 
nated on the third ballot, and elected, by 180 electoral votes, over Douglas, 
Breckenridge and Bell. This first victory of the Republicans decided the 
Secessionists, and when the new President delivered his conciliatory inaug- 
ural address the country was drifting toward civil war. In the Cabinet 
Seward had the Department of State, Chase the Treasury-, Cameron, and 
soon afterward Stanton, War, Welles the Navy, Caleb B. Smith the Interior, 




Joshua R. Giddings. 
Wendell Phillips. 



ANTI-SLAVERY MEN. 

John Brown. 



Wm. Lloyd Garrison. 
Charles Sumner. 



Dictionary of United Stages History. 373 

Edward Bates was Attorney-General, and Montgomery Blair Postmaster- 
General. Immediately on the fall of Fort Sumter the President, April 15, 
1861, called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the Rebellion. He soon 
issued a call for additional troops, instituted a blockade, and summoned Con- 
gress to meet in extra session July 4. As the " War President " Lincoln is 
identified with a great part of the history of the struggle. Foreign compli- 
cations, military and naval movements, domestic politics, as well as routine 
administrative duties, all claimed his attention; to the people and the armies 
he was endeared as " Father Abraham; " innumerable anecdotes are related 
bearing on his humor, strong common sense and sympathy. On September 
22, 1862, profiting by the partial success of Antietam, he issued a prelimi- 
nary proclamation fixing the coming January i as the date for freeing slaves 
in insurgent States. The Emancipation Proclamation to that effect accord- 
ingly appeared at the opening of 1863. On the nineteenth of November, 
1863, he pronounced on the battlefield of Gettysburg his short but famous 
eulogy. He was renominated by the Republicans June 8, 1864, and elected 
over McClellan, receiving 212 electoral votes. " Malice toward none, char- 
ity for all " was the burden of his second inaugural. He had visited Rich- 
mond after its fall, and was pondering the questions of reconstruction, when 
on the night of April 14 he was shot by Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theatre at 
the capital, and died the next morning. Among the many lives may be 
mentioned those by Raymond, Morse, Herndon and the extended one b> 
Nicolay and Hay. 

Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810), was major-general of the Massachusetts 
militia from 1774 to 1775 and commanded them at White Plains in 1776. 
In 1777 he was second in command under General Gates at Bemis Heights. 
He commanded the Southern army from 1778 to 1780, when he was besieged 
by the British at Charleston and forced to capitulate. He received the sword 
of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. He was Secretary of War from 1781 
to 1784. He was a member of the Massachusetts Convention that ratified 
the Constitution. 

Lincoln, Levi (1749-1820), served in the Massachusetts Constitutional 
Convention of 1780. From 1801 to 1805 he was Attorney-General of the 
United States. He was Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts from 1807 to 
1808 and acting Governor in 1809. 

Lincoln, Levi (1782-1868), was a member of the Massachusetts House of 
Representatives from 1 814 to 1822. He was Governor of Massachusetts from 
1825 to 1834. He was a Whig member of the U. S. Congress from 1835 to 
1 84 1. 

Lincoln, Mary Todd (1818-1882), married Abraham Lincoln in 1842. 
Her family sympathized with the Confederate cause, and this, together with 
the death of her husband and of three sons, unsettled her reason. 

Lincoln, Robert T., born in 1843, is the son of Abraham Lincoln. He 
served in the Federal army from 1864 to 1865. He was admitted to the 
Illinois bar and practiced until 1881. He was Secretar>' of War in the 
Cabinets of Garfield and Arthur from 1881 to 1885. He was appointed 
U. S. Minister to Great Britain in 1889, serving till 1893. 



374 "^""^ Dictionary of United States History. 

Lincoln, Neb., was laid out in July, 1867, and shortly after became the 
capital of the State. 

Linn, Lewis F. (1795-1843), served during the War of 1812 as a surgeon. 
He was a member of the Kentucky Legislature in 1827. He represented 
Kentucky in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 1833 to 1843. 

"L'lnsurgente." (See "Constellation.") 

" Little Belt." (See " President.") 

Little Crow, chief of the Sioux tribe of Indians, led an outbreak of the 
Indians on the Upper Minnesota in 1862, but was defeated at Wood Lake. 
He was shot while making a raid in 1863. 

Little Giant, a nickname for Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, because of 
his small stature and great abilities. 

" Little James," a small vessel, which, in company with the "Ann," 
brought reinforcements to the Pilgrims at Plymouth in August, 1623. 

Little Magician, a nickname given to Martin Van Buren on account of his 

dexterity in political manipulations. 

Little Rock, Ark., founded in 1820, became the capital of the then 
Territory the same year. During the Civil War it was held by the Con- 
federates until it was captured by General Steele (September 10, 1863). 

" Little Sarah," a privateer fitted out in 1793, at Philadelphia, by Citizen 
Genet, the newly arrived French Minister. She sailed under French colors 
and was manned by American seamen, and cruised for British vessels. This 
was done against the prohibition of the American Executive. 

Little Turtle, chief of the Miami Indians, died in 1812. He commanded 
at the defeat of General Hannar on the Miami in 1790, and of General St. 
Clair at St. Mary's in 1791. He was one of the signers of the Greenville 
treaty in 1795. 

Little Van, a nickname for Martin Van Buren, eighth President of the 
United States. 

Livermore, Mary A., bom in 1821, distinguished herself during the Civil 
War by her labors in the Sanitary Commission. She is one of the foremost 
lecturers upon woman suffrage and temperance reform. 

Livingston, Brockholst (i 757-1823), .served at Ticonderoga, and with 
Benedict Arnold at the surrender of Burgoyne in 1777. In 1807 he was 
appointed au Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, and served till 
his death. 

Livingston, Edward (i 764-1 836), a brother of Robert R. Livingston, 
graduated at Princeton, and reached early in life a commanding position at 
the New York bar. From 1795 to 1801, he was a Democratic Congressman. 
While district attorney in the following years he became entangled in busi- 
ness, was deeply indebted to the Government, and removed to Louisiana to 
retrieve his fortunes. He was Congressman from that State in 182 2-1 829, 
V. S. Senator 1829-1831, Secretary' of State 1831-1833, and Minister to 



Dictionary of United States History. 375 

France 1833— 1835. His rank as a lawyer was very liigh, and his influ- 
ence, by his codes and legal writings, was profound upon law here and in 
Europe. (See Batture Cases.) 

Livingston, Philip (1716-1778), was a member of the New York Assem- 
bly from 1758 to 1769. He was a delegate to the Stamp-Act Congress of 
1765, and a member of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1778. He 
was one of the committee to prepare an address to the people of Great 
Britain, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. 

Livingston, Robert R. (i 746-1 813), graduated at King's (now Columbia) 
College and became a lawyer, member of the New York Assembly, and 
delegate to the Continental Congress. He served on the committee of five 
which drafted the Declaration of Independence. He was Secretary for 
Foreign Affairs in 1781-1783, and was a prominent Federalist in the ratifying 
convention at Poughkeepsie in 1788. Meanwhile from 1777 to 1801 he was 
Chancellor of the State of New York, and in this position he administered 
the oath of of&ce to Washington in 1789. While U. S. Minister to France 
in 1801— 1805 he helped to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase. He is remem- 
bered also for his connection with many societies in New York Ciiy, and 
tis association with Fulton in the beginnings of steamboat navigation. 

Livingston, William (1723-1790), was a delegate from New Jersey to the 
Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776. He was Governor of New Jersey 
from 1776 to 1790. In 1787 he was a delegate to the convention that framed 
the Constitution and signed that instrument. 

Livingston Manor, in New York, adjoining that of Rensselaerswyck, was 
granted by Governor Dongan in 1686 to Robert Livingston, an immigrant 
from Scotland. 

Livingston vs. Jefferson. (See Batture Cases.) 

Local Government. England, at the time when the first settlements were 
made in the United States, had well-developed local institutions, the country 
being subdivided into counties, the counties into hundreds, the hundreds 
into parishes or townships. In the Southern colonies, where the plantation 
system prevailed and the settlers were scattered over a large area, it was 
natural that, of the institutions to which the settlers were accustomed, they 
should keep in use rather those of the county. In the New England colonies, 
where population was more compact, it was rather the township's set of 
officers and institutions that were employed. Hence there grew up in the 
United States two types of local government, — in New England the town- 
ship system, in the South the county system. In the Middle colonies a form 
of local government was instituted which kept in active existence both sets 
of institutions, and this is the type now most common in the West. History 
by Howard. 

Local Option, the determination by the people of a town or other minor 
political community as to whether or not any licenses to sell intoxicating 
liquors shall be granted. This principle is established in many sections of 
the various States. 



376 Dictionary of United States History. 

Locke, David R. (1833-1888), was author of a series of patriotic satires 
known as the " Nasby " letters. They exerted great influence during the 
Civil War in crushing the rebellion. 

Locke, John (1632-1704), English philosopher and statesman, drew up a 
constitution for the government of Carolina, at the request of the pro- 
prietaries. (See " Fundamental Constitutions.") 

Lockwood, Belva A. B., born in 1820, was admitted to practice before 
the Supreme Court and the Court of Claims iu 1879. She was the candi- 
date of the Women's National Rights party in California for President of the 
United States in 1884. 

Lockwood, James B. (1852-1884), accompanied the Lady Franklin Bay 
expedition with A. W. Greely in 1882, and attained the most northerly point 
of land ever reached, at 83° 24' N. 

Loco-foco, the radical faction, 1835-1837, of the Democratic party,, 
properly of New York, though the name was afterward made national. 
During the Federalist control of the Government, the method of granting 
bank charters and controlling banks was charged by the opposing faction 
with favoritism and corruption. Upon their gaining control, things did not, 
in the opinion of many, improve; and in 1835 there was formed in New 
York the " Equal Rights party," opposed to special privileges in granting^ 
bank charters to corporations. At a meeting in Tammany Hall, October 29, 
1835, the regular Tammany Democrats tried to gain control. Finding them- 
selves outnumbered, they turned out the lights and retired. The Equal 
Rights men produced candles and " loco-foco " matches, and continued the 
meeting. Hence the name. This party was beaten at the elections, but 
nevertheless exercised considerable influence. 

Locust Grove, Va., a battle of the Civil War during Meade's operations in 
Northern Virginia. This battle was desultory and lasted during two days, 
November 27-29, 1863. Meade's army had crossed the Rapidan, and at 
Payne's Farm, near Locust Grove, French's division had encountered the 
Confederate troops of Lee under Edward Johnson and Lee. That night 
Sedgwick and Warren were ordered to meet at Locust Grove for a co-oper- 
ative attack on the Confederates. They intended to mass their forces and 
assault the Confederate flank, but the move failed. On the twenty-eighth 
there was a sharp battle of batteries, which accomplished little. The Federals 
were then ordered to retire. 

Lodge, Henry Cabot, born in 1850, was assistant professor of history at 
Harvard College, and in 1880 and 1881 a member of the Massachusetts Leg- 
islature. He was elected as a Republican to the Congress of the United 
States from Massachusetts in 1886 and served till 1893, when he entered the 
Senate. He has published a " Short History of the English Colonies in 
America," " Studies in History " and lives of George Cabot, Alexander 
Hamilton and Daniel Webster. 

Log Cabin and Hard Cider. In the campaign of 1840 the Whig candi- 
date, Harrison, was a military man of plain manners. One of the Demo- 
cratic papers, scoSing at the Whigs for taking a candidate not of the first 



Dictionary of United States History. 377 

calibre, advised that Harrison be given a log cabin and a barrel of hard 
cider, and he would stay contentedly in Ohio. This was taken up by the 
Whigs, and really helped to make their candidate popular with the masses. 
Log cabins were erected in great numbers in the cities, and were carried in 
processions, accompanied with barrels of cider. Horace Greeley edited a 
highly successful campaign paper called the Log Cabin. This appeal to the 
popular imagination has caused this to be called the '' log cabin and hard 
cider campaign." 

Logan, Benjamin (1752-1802), a Kentucky pioneer, renowned for his 
great courage and endurance. He distinguished himself at Fort Logan, 
Chillicothe and Bryan's Station during Indian troubles. 

Logan, John (1725 ?-i78o), chief of the Mingo tribe of Indians, lived 
peacefully among the whites until 1774. In 1774 his family were massacred 
by Ohio settlers, and Logan instigated a war. The terrible barbarities were 
terminated by the defeat of the Indians at the Great Kanawha. He sent a 
famous pathetic message to Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, reviewing 
his wrongs. 

Logan, John Alexander (1826-1886), volunteered in the Mexican War, 
and became thereafter a lawyer and politician in Illinois. He was a Demo- 
cratic Congressman in 1 859-1 861, but left Congress for the army, fought at 
Bull Run, and was made a colonel of Illinois volunteers. At Belmont, Fort 
Henry, Fort Donelson, and in the Western anny generally he was promi- 
nent, was appointed major-general, commanded a division in the Vicksburg 
campaign and a corps under Sherman in 1864, and on the battlefield of 
Atlanta succeeded McPherson in the Army of the Tennessee. " Black 
Jack " Logan was, in fact, one of the most noted non-West-Pointers of the 
war. He was Republican Congressman 1867-1871, and Senator 1871-1877 
and 1 879-1 886. He received some votes at the Convention of 1884, and 
was nominated for second place on the ticket with Blaine, but not elected. 
He wrote " The Great Conspiracy." 

Logstown, a small settlement on the Ohio River in colonial times, notable 
from the fact that it was the place in which the Virginia government, by a 
treaty with Indians, June 13, 1752, secured permission to erect a fort at the 
forks of the Ohio. The undertaking was delayed, and the French antici- 
pated it by building Fort Duquesne. 

London Company, the Virginia Company proper, as distinguished from 
the Plymouth or North Virginia Company. It was chartered in 1606, 
obtaining pennission to colonize the territory' between Cape Fear and Long 
Island. The first settlement was at Jamestown, Va., in 1607. The charter 
was taken away by James I. in 1624, and the company dissolved. 

Long Island, N. Y., was settled about 1636 by the Dutch. The English 
settled the eastern portion of the island in 1640. Long Island passed into 
the hands of the Duke of York in 1664, and again came under Dutch con- 
trol in 1673. In 1674, the island was again acquired by the British. At 
the beginning of the Revolution Washington made efforts to defend it 



378 Dictionary of United States History. 

against the English. It was taken by Howe in 1776, and was held by Great 
Britain until the close of the war. 

Long Island, Battle of, August 27, 1776. The British plan of campaign 
was now to crush Washington in New York, seize the Hudson and thus 
divide the colonial forces. As Washington was inferior in numbers and 
efficiency he occupied Brooklyn Heights with 9000 men. Howe's only 
course was to dislodge him. He landed his men at Gravesend, L. I., and 
after four days' reconnoitring advanced in three divisions, 20,000 strong. 
Two divisions met the American outposts, 5000 in number, under Stirling 
and Sullivan. On the arrival of the third division in their rear they utterly 
routed the Americans and captured Stirling and Sullivan and 1000 of their 
men. The British now appeared before the American position, but refrained 
from an assault, preferring a siege. Clearly perceiving the danger of such 
a course Washington conveyed his army over to New York under cover of 
night, thus brilliantly snatching from the enemy the fruits of his victory; 
for although New York had been taken, the colonial army was still 
unsubdued. 

Longfellow, Henry W. (1807-1882), became a popular poet by the pro- 
duction of " The Psalm of Life " in 1838. This was followed by " Hyperion," 
" Hiawatha," " Tales of a Wayside Inn," " The Courtship of Miles Stan- 
dish," etc., and a translation of Dante. The historical Craigie House was 
his home. He was a poet of genial temperament, beloved by all. 

Longstreet, James, born in 1821, a Confederate general, graduated at West 
Point in 1842. He fought in the Mexican War, and had reached the rank 
of paymaster when he entered the service of the Confederacy. He distin- 
guished himself at Bull Run, Williamsburg, the Seven Days' battles, led a 
corps at the second battle of Bull Run, and was renowned as a hard fighter. 
He commanded the Confederate left at Fredericksburg, the right at Gettys- 
burg, and the left at Chickamauga. Soon after he was sent against Knox- 
ville, but failed to take it. Returning to the Army of Northern Virginia 
he fought at the Wilderness and almost constantly down to Appomattox. 
After the war he held various offices in the customs and revenue service, was 
postmaster and marshal, and under President Hayes was U. S. Minister to 
Turkey. 

Longwoods, Canada. Here Captain Holmes, while on the way to attack 
Fort Talbot, was attacked by the British March 3, 1814. The British lost 
more men, but the Americans were forced to return empty-handed. 

Lookout Mountain. (See Chattanooga.) 

Lopez, Narcisso, a military adventurer and refugee from Havana, who in 
1849, 1850 and 185 1, planned, with the aid of Governor Quitman, of Missis- 
sippi, and other Southerners, the capture and annexation of Cuba. The first 
expedition was frustrated by President Tyler. The second, 300 strong, 
landed at Cardenas and captured the town, but was quickly expelled. Lopez 
was arrested in Savannah, Ga., but released for want of evidence. The third 
expedition landed at Las Pazas in 1851. The inhabitants fled instead of 
giving their aid. The invaders were set upon by the Government troops 



Dictionary of United States History. 379 

and quickly dispersed. Lopez fled to the mountains, but was captured and 
executed at Havana, September i, 1851. 

Loring, William W. (1818-1886), was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for 
services in the Mexican War. He served in the Confederate Army of 
Northern Virginia, and commanded a division at Vicksburg and Chatta- 
nooga. 

Los Angeles, Cal., was settled by the Spaniards in 1781. Gold dis- 
covered here in 1842 was the first authentic finding of the precious metal in 
California. The city was occupied by Stockton in 1846, but was retaken by 
the Califomians. It was again captured in 1847. 

Losantiville, Ohio, the name originally given to the settlement which is 
now the city of Cincinnati, by its founders, Patterson, Denman and Filson, 
of New Jersey, who had purchased land from the Scioto Company in 1788. 
The name is compounded of "os," Latin for mouth; " anti," Greek for 
opposite; " ville," French for city; and " L," the initial of the Licking 
River. The name was changed in 1790. 

Lossing, Benson J. (1813-1891), of New York, author and wood-engraver, 
published " Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution," and others of the Civil 
War and War of 181 2, a "National Histor>' of the United States," the 
"Statesman's Manual," lives of Zachar>' Taylor, Winfield Scott, Washing- 
ton, etc., a history of New York, and " Biographies of Eminent Americans." 

Lotteries. The history of American lotteries begins with that which the 
charter of 161 2 authorized the Virginia Company to hold for the benefit of 
its colonizing schemes. In the eighteenth century- they were extraordinarily 
popular in America. Legislatures authorized lotteries for every species of 
public improvement, for the building of churches and colleges, for the repair 
of losses to individuals by fire and otherwise; e.g.^ Faneuil Hall, after the 
fire of 1761, was rebuilt by lottery. The Continental Congress tried to raise 
money by lottery in 1777. The sums annually employed by Americans in 
lottery speculations probably amounted to hundreds of thousands. The last 
lottery supported by governmental encouragement was the Louisiana State 
Lotter}-. An act of Congress passed in 1890 attemped to crush it by forbid- 
ding it the use of the LT. S. mails. 

Loudon, Forts. There were two fortifications of this name during the 
colonial period. Both were erected for the purpose of defence against the 
Indians. One was erected in Loudon County, Tenn., on the Tennessee 
River, about 1750, and was the scene of an Indian massacre a few years 
later. The other was built in 1752 near Winchester, Va., for the protection 
of the town. It was a square with four bastions, mounting twenty-four guns 
and large enough to contain 450 men. 

Loudoun, John C, Earl of (1705-1782), succeeded William Shirley as 
commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America in 1756. He 
proved incapable and irresolute in the campaign against the French at Louis- 
bourg. He laid an embargo on commerce in 1757, which was ver>' unpopular. 
In 1757 he was succeeded by General Amherst. 



38o Dictionary of United States History. 

Louis XVI. (1754-1793), succeeded to the throne of France in 1774. 
He gave the American colonies very considerable aid during the Revolution, 
and burdened France with a debt in their behalf. His war with Great 
Britain lasted from 1778 to 1782. He was executed in 1793. (See French 
Revolution.) 

Louisbourg, Cape Breton, Canada, a fort erected by the French in 1720. 
Upon the breaking out of King George's War in 1744, privateers were sent 
out from Louisbourg to harass the New England coast. Governor Shirley, 
of Massachusetts, succeeded in raising, in 1745, a strong force of men and 
ships, to which all the New England States, New York and Pennsylvania 
contributed, either in money or supplies. An army of 3250 men was dis- 
patched against the fort under the command of William Pepperell, of 
Maine. This force began the siege April 30. Five imsuccessful attacks 
were made. Finally, the French garrison becoming mutinous, the com- 
mander of Louisbourg surrendered, June 17. The fort was restored to the 
French by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. It was again captured by 
Shirley in 1758, during the French and Indian War. On June 2, 1758, the 
British appeared before this fortress with 10,000 men under Amherst, and 
forty-one sail under Boscawen. The fort was defended by 3080 regulars, 
five ships and seven frigates. On June 8, in spite of surf and a spirited 
resistance, the British gained a foothold on the island. The outposts were 
soon captured and lines drawn around the citadel. The French ships were 
burned or captured. The garrison attempted a sortie, but was repulsed. 
Half the men were in hospitals. On July 27 the fort capitulated, and the 
strongest point in America, and great stores, fell into the hands of the 
English. 

Louisiana, the Creole State, was acquired by purchase from France in 1803. 
It was first visited by the Spaniard De Soto in 1541, who was buried in the 
Mississippi. In 1682 La Salle descended the river and took formal possession 
of the region in the name of Louis XIV., in whose honor it was named. In 
1706 New Orleans was founded by Bienville. John Law secured control of 
the colony as a part of his Mississippi scheme in 1717. In 1762 France 
transferred her title to Spain, who restored the country again to France in 
1800. Napoleon, following the plan of La Salle, proposed to found a new 
France in America, but was finally induced to sell the entire territory to 
the United States for $15,000,000 (1803). The following year the Territory 
of Orleans was formed from the portion of this vast purchase south of 
33° north latitude. The northern portion was organized as the Louisiana 
Territory, tlie name of which was afterward changed to Missouri. In April, 
181 2, the Territory of Orleans became the State of Louisiana. The final 
battle of the War of 181 2 was fought at New Orleans after peace had been 
made at Ghent, but before the news had reached America. General Jackson 
repulsed with great slaughter the attack of the British under Sir Edward 
Pakenham upon New Orleans. From 181 2 until 1830 the State was Demo- 
cratic. After 1830 until 1850 the Whigs were usually in the majority. The 
State was carried for Polk in 1844 by fraud. The sugar planters wished for 
protection against foreign sugar. An ordinance of secession was passed in 
convention January- 26, 1861. New Orleans was captured by United States 



Dictionary of United States History. 381 

forces April 25, 1862. The State was restored to its place in the Union June 25, 
1868. The present Constitution was made in that year. In July, 1871, the 
Republican party became divided into two factions, led by Warmoth and 
Kellogg. In January-, 1872, there were two rival Legislatures; open conflict 
had been prevented by troops. Two candidates, McEnery and Kellogg, were 
nominated for Governor, and on January 14, 1873, both were inaugurated as 
Governor. Two rival U. S. Senators were elected. The Kellogg govern- 
ment was supported by the President at Washington. In 1876 the vote of 
the State was claimed by both parties, but was finally given to the Republi- 
cans by the Electoral Commission. Since 1876 the State has been Democratic 
in all elections. The population in 1812 was 76,556; in 1890, 1,118,587. 
History by Gayarre. 

Louisiana, District of. In 1804, when that southern part of the Louisiana 
Purchase which is now called the State of Louisiana was organized as the 
Territory of Orleans, all that was north of this was organized as the " Dis- 
trict of Louisiana," under the Governor of Indiana Territory'. In 1805 it 
was given a separate government as the Territory of Louisiana. In 181 2 its 
name was changed to Missouri Territory'. 

Louisiana Historical Society, founded at New Orleans in i860 and 
recently reorganized. It is now in a flourishing condition, and has collected 
over 1000 manuscripts and volumes. 

Louisiana vs. Jumel, an important case before the U. S. Supreme Court, 
<iecided in 1882. The plaintiffs, holding bonds issued under the act of the 
Louisiana Legislature of 1874, known as Act No. 3, demanded payment of 
these bonds in 1880. Payment was refused in obedience to Article 3 of the 
Louisiana State Debt Act of 1880, carrying out provisions contained in the 
new Constitution of that State. This article recited that coupons of consol- 
idated bonds falling due .'j. January, 1880, were remitted. Suit was brought 
against officers of the State. The Circuit Court of Louisiana decided for the 
defendant, and its decision was coufimied by the Supreme Court of the 
United States on the ground that relief could not be awarded against oflScers 
obeying the supreme power of the State; that the money is the State's 
property, not held in trust by the officers, except in the capacity of her ser- 
vants. 

Louisville, Ky., founded in 1778 by a company of settlers under Colonel 
George Rogers Clark. It became a city in 1828. The introduction of 
steam navigation on the Ohio in 1812 gave it importance as a centre of river 
trade. 

" Louisville Courier-Journal," probably the most influential newspaper 
in Kentucky. In 1868 there existed in Louisville three newspapers, the 
Journal^ Courier and Democrat. These journals were consolidated that 
same vear, and called the Louisville Courier-Journal. It is now published 
daily by the Courier-Journal Company. 

Lovejoy, Elijah P. (i 802-1 837), established the St. Louis Observer in 
1833, in which he ardently attacked slaver)'. He was compelled by violent 
pro-slavery sentiment to remove his paper to Alton, 111., in 1836, where his 



382 Dictionary of United States History. 

establishment was sacked three times by a mob. At the fourth attack one 
of the mob was killed, whereupon he was shot by his assailants. 

Lovejoy, Owen (1811-1864), was very prominent in the anti-slavery cause 
in Illinois from 1836 to 1856. He represented Illinois in the U. S. Congress 
as a Republican from 1857 to 1864. 

Lovelace, Francis (1618 ?-i675 ?), became Governor of New York in 
1668. He established an arbitrary rule, and so oppressed the people that 
New York surrendered to a Dutch fleet in 1673 without opposition. He 
returned to England in 1673. 

Lovell, Mansfield (1822-1884), fought at Chapultepec and Monterey in 
the Mexican War. He surrendered New Orleans to Admiral Farragut in 
1862, commanded at Coffeeville and fought against Shennan at Kenesaw. 

Low, Seth, born in 1850, while mayor of Brooklyn from 1881 to 1885, 
introduced many reforms and carefully guarded public interests. He became 
president of Columbia College in 1890. 

Lowell, Edward J., born in 1845, published " The Hessians and the other 
German Auxiliaries of Great Britain in the Revolutionary War," 1884, and 
"The Eve of the French Revolution," 1893. 

Lowell, James Russell (1819-1891), was bom at Cambridge, graduated 
at Harvard, and devoted himself to belles-lettres, becoming eventually pro- 
fessor of that department and of modern languages at his university. Aside 
from his work as editor of the Atlatitic and of the North American Review^ his 
essays, " Among My Books," etc., his poems, " Fable for Critics," " Cathedral," 
" Commemoration Ode," etc., his political activity is to be noted. His " Big- 
low Papers," 1846-1848, helped powerfully the anti-slaver>' cause; a second 
series appeared in the period of the war. Lowell won general esteem as 
U. S. Minister to Spain 1877-1880, and to England 1880-1885. The vol- 
ume, " Democracy and Other Essays," contains some of his contributions to 
political philosophy. 

Lowell, John (1743-1802), secured the insertion of the clause "all men 
are born free and equal " in the Massachusetts bill of rights. He was a 
member of the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1783. He was a Judge of 
the U. S. Court of Appeals from 1782 to 1789, and U. S. District Judge 
from 1789. 

Lowell, John (i 769-1 840), was a supporter of the Federalist party and a 
zealous opponent of the War of 1812. He published many political pam- 
phlets, among them an " Inquiry into the Subject of the ' Chesapeake ' " and 
" Mr. Madison's War." 

Lowell, Mass., was made a town in 1826 and incorporated as a city ten 
years later. The first cotton mill was started in 1823, ^"*i ^^'^^ industry has 
since grown to mammoth proportions. 

Lowndes, Rawlins (1722-1800), was appointed a Judge in South Carolina 
by the crown, and affirmed the validity of unstamped public papers. He 
was president of the province from 1778 to 1780. He opposed the adoption 
of the Constitution as fatal to liberty. 



Dictionary of United States History. 383 

Lowndes, William J. (1782-1822), was a member of the South Carolina 
Legislature from 1806 to 1810. He represented South Carolina in the U. S. 
House of Representatives from 1810 to 1822. He served on the Committee 
of Ways and Means from 1818 to 1822. He earnestly supported the War 
of 1812. He was a brilliant debater, and called by Henry Clay "the wisest 
man he had ever known in Congress." 

Loyal Company, a land company chartered June 12, 1749, in opposition 
to the Ohio Company. Its patentees obtained a grant of 800,000 acres in 
the Northwest Territory, chiefly along the Ohio River. 

Loyalists. From 1688 on, there was in every colony a party favorable to 
the crown. When the Revolutionary movements began, this party became 
more active. In no colony was there an overwhelming majority in favor of 
revolution. In some the majority was unfavorable. The loyalists in 
New England and the Middle States comprised a large part of the most 
respectable and eminent men. It is now recognized that a large number 
of them were patriotic in their resistance to the efforts to overturn the 
existing government. As the Revolution progressed they were treated 
with increasing harshness. Tories were ostracized, and in some cases 
tarred and feathered. Acts banishing them and confiscating their prop- 
erty were passed by most of the colonial conventions and legislatures. 
During the British occupation of New York, Philadelphia and the Southern 
States, loyalist regiments and more irregular organizations were formed and 
took part in the war, often with great bitterness. Exasperation against them 
was so great that at the end of the war most of them felt obliged to go into 
exile when the British troops withdrew. Thousands from the North went to 
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Canada. From the South many went to 
the Bahamas and West Indies. In the Treaty of 1783 the British endeavored 
to have articles inserted which should provide compensation for the dis- 
possessed loyalists, but no more was secured than a promise to recommend 
the matter to the States. The States refused to do anything in the matter, 
though subsequently some ameliorations of their hardships were secured. 

Luce, Stephen B., rear-admiral, born in 1827, was engaged in the battle 
of Port Royal, on the "Wabash," in 1862. He commanded the monitor 
" Nantucket " in 1863, and the " Pontiac " from 1864 to 1865. • He was rear- 
admiral U. S. N. from 1885 to 1890. 

Ludlow, Roger (1590-1665 ?), removed from Massachusetts to Connecticut 
in 1635. He is supposed to have drafted the Connecticut Constitution. In 
1639 he founded the town of Fairfield. In 1654 he went to Virginia. 

Lundy, Benjamin (1789— 1839), originated an anti-slavery association in 
Ohio called the " Union Humane Society " in 1815. He contributed ant-i 
slavery articles to periodicals, and from 1812 to 1836 edited The Genius of 
Universal Emancipation^ published at Baltimore after 1824. He advocated 
negro colonization. He was one of the first to deliver anti-slavery lectures 
and the first to found societies for the encouragement of free labor. Gar- 
rison was an assistant to him at first. Lundy was a Quaker. 

Lundy's Lane, Canada, a battle in the War of 181 2. After the defeat 
of the British at Chippewa, General Drummond advanced to meet the 



334 Dictionary of United States History. 

victorious American army led by General Jacob Brown. The latter sent for- 
ward General Scott to menace the forts on the Niagara River. Near the 
Falls, July 24, 1814, he fell in with General Riall with 1800 men, who were 
posted on a hill near Lundy's Lane. Scott sent forward Major Jesup, who 
by a flank movement gained the British rear and kept back reinforcements. 
Meantime Scott was hotly engaged against a much larger force. The 
American main army soon arrived, and Colonel ]\Iiller stormed a battery 
which was the key to the British position. The British, with the rein- 
forcements that now had arrived, attempted in vain to recapture this posi- 
tion. At midnight, after six hours of fighting, the battle ceased. The 
British next day took possession of the battlefield and four of the cannon 
captured. Botli parties claimed the victory. The Americans lost about 850 
men, the British nearly 900 in all. 

Lunt, George (1803-1885), served several terms in the Massachusetts 
Legislature. He was a U. S. District Attorney from 1849 to 1853. While 
editor of the Boston Daily Courier from 1857 to 1865 he exerted a powerful 
influence on the Democratic politics of the period. He wrote " Three Eras 
of New England " and " Origin of the Late War." 

Luther vs. Borden, a celebrated case in the U. S. Supreme Court. In 
1842 Luther, of Massachusetts, brought action of trespass in the Circuit 
Court of Rhode Island against Borden for entering his house by force. In 
1 84 1 a portion of the people of Rhode Island had framed a new Constitution 
and elected Thomas W. Dorr Governor in opposition to the charter govern- 
ment. (See Dorr War.) That government. King being the executive, 
declared the State under martial law, and Luther's house was searched, he 
being implicated in the armed conspiracy against the constitutional govern- 
ment. Luther pleaded the constitutionality of the new government, but 
the Circuit Court found judgment against him and this the Supreme Court 
of the United States confirmed, 1842. But it was decided that the question 
of the constitutionality of a State government lay rather with Congress than 
the judicial courts. Also it was decided that under martial law suspected 
persons might be legally arrested by State authority. 

Lutherans in America. Dr. H. M. Miihlenberg is generally regarded as 
the founder of this church in America. Lutherans had settled in the coun- 
try as early as 1621, and sent out probably the first missionaries to the 
Indians, but they remained unorganized till 1742 when Dr. Miihlenberg was 
induced to leave Halle, in order to organize the churches scattered through- 
out the colonies. The first synod was held in 1748, and others were held 
annually thereafter. The church grew rapidly under the care of its organ- 
izer. Schools were established, churches built, ministers ordained, and its 
numbers steadily increased till his death in 1787. The Civil War broke the 
church into Northern and Southern Synods, and doctrinal questions divided 
the fonner into two sects, but there is now a movement on foot to unite all 
bodies into one General Conference. Membership in 1S90, 1,231,000. 

Luxemburg. The United States concluded an extradition treaty with 
Luxemburg in 1S83. 



Dictionary of United States History. 385 

Luzerne, Anne Cesar de la (1741-1791), French diplomatist, was minister 
to the United States from 1779 to 1783. 

Lygonia, a plantation in what is now the State of Maine, purchased April 
7, 1643, by George Cleves, of Casco, and Alexander Rigby, of England. 
Cleves immediately set up his authority,. claiming jurisdiction as deputy- 
president of the province of Lygonia, over a large portion of the territory 
granted to Ferdinando Gorges in 1639. The Massachusetts Bay government 
was called in as arbitrator, and decided in favor of Cleves and Rigby in 
1646, after much dispute. 

Lyman, Phineas (1716-1774), of Connecticut, in 1755 was commander-in- 
chief of the Connecticut forces at Crown Point, and erected Fort Edward. 
He succeeded Sir William Johnson in command at Lake George in 1755. 
He commanded the Connecticut troops at Ticonderoga and Crown Point in 
1759, and at Oswego and Montreal. He commanded in the Havana expedi- 
tion in 1762. 

Lynch, William F. (1801-1865), planned and carried out the exploration 
of the Jordan and the Dead Sea in 1848. He entered the Confederate navy, 
commanding at Roanoke Island, at Albemarle Sound and at Smithville. 

Lynch-law, the law administered during the Revolutionary period by 
Charles Lynch, a Virginia planter, and his associates, to Tories and other 
British sympathizers. The victims were hung up by their thumbs until 
they shouted: " Liberty forever !" but were never killed. In later years and 
at the present time the term is applied to summary executions without trial 
and usually by mob violence. It is practiced largely in the West and South, 
lynch-law executions being, in the United States at large, about twice as 
numerous as legal ones. 

Lyon, Mary (1797-1849), founded Mount Holyoke Seminary at South 
Hadley, Mass., in 1837, and was its principal until 1849. She was thus a 
pioneer in the higher education of women in America. 

Lyon, Matthew (1746— 1822), came to America from Ireland in 1759. 
He represented Vermont in the U. S. Congress as an Anti-Federalist and 
Democrat from 1797 to 1801. He was a U. S. Congressman from Kentucky 
from 1803 to 1 81 1. A strong Democrat, he was prosecuted under the Sedi- 
tion Act of 1798. 

Lyon, Nathaniel (1818— 1861), served with distinction at Contreras, Churu- 
busco and the city of Mexico during the Mexican War. He served in 
Kansas during the political struggles and supported the cause of the Free- 
Soil party. In 1861 he was placed in command of the U. S. arsenal at 
St. Louis, and soon afterward succeeded General Harney in command of the 
department. He defeated the Confederates at Booneville and at Dug Spring 
under McCulloch. He was defeated at Wilson's Creek by a superior force, 
and during the battle he was killed. 

Lyons, Richard B. P., Viscount, (Lord Lyons) (1817-1887), was British 
Minister at Washington from 1S58 to 1865. During the trying times of the 
Civil War he successfully conducted intricate negotiations and laudably dis- 
charged the duties of his position. 

25 



386 Dictionary of United States History. 

Lyon's Creek, Canada. An American force sent to destroy some supplies 
was here attacked October 19, 1814, by the British under Colonel Murray. 
The latter was defeated with the loss of 150 men, the Americans lost sixty- ' 
seven in all. 

McArthur, Duncan (1772-1839), served during the War of 1812, com- 
manding the Army of the West in 1814. He was a Democratic U. S. Con- 
gressman from Ohio from 1823 t° 1825. He was Governor of Ohio from 
1830 to 1832. 

McClellan, George Brinton (December 3, 1826-October 29, 1885), a 
noted American general, was born at Philadelphia, educated at the University 
of Pennsylvania and at West Point, where he was graduated in 1846. His 
service in the Mexican War was followed by duty as instructor in the Mili- 
tary Academy. He was sent to Europe as an expert to follow the course of 
the Crimean War, and published as a result, " The Armies of Europe." For 
a few years he was engineer for the Illinois Central Railroad, and a railroad 
president. Appointed major-general, and entrusted with command in West 
Virginia at the beginning of the Civil War he broke up Gamett's army, and was 
summoned to Washington after the Bull Run catastrophe. In August, 1861, 
he became commander of the Army of the Potomac, and in November he suc- 
ceeded General Scott as commander-in-chief. McClellan's services in organ- 
izing the army were invaluable. Excess of caution and friction between 
the Washington authorities and himself led to disappointments in his achieve- 
ments against the enemy. He commanded through the Peninsula campaign, 
executing his famous " change of base," was relieved of the command, 
reappointed September 7, 1862, after Pope's disasters, and commanded in 
the Autietam campaign. On November 7 he was removed and placed on 
waiting orders. He resigned from the anny in 1864, ^i^^ 'was the same year 
the Democratic candidate for President, receiving twenty-one electoral votes. 
He was Governor of New Jersey 1878-1881. " Little Mac " was phenome- 
nally popular with the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac in spite of out- 
side criticism. See " McClellan's Own Story " for his defence. 

McClelland, Robert (1807-1880), represented Michigan in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1843 *° 1849. He was Governor of Michigan 
from 1852 to 1853. Hs 'w^s Secretary of the Interior in Pierce's Cabinet 
from 1853 to 1857. 

McClernand, John A., born in 1812, represented Illinois in theU. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1843 to 1851 and from 1859 to 1861. He organ- 
ized a brigade in 1861, and conimanded it at Belmont and Fort Donelson. 
He commanded a division at Shiloh, Vicksburg, Arkansas Post and on the 
Big Black River. He retired in 1864. 

McCloskey, John (1810-1885), cardinal, was Bishop of Albany from 1847 
to 1S64. He was Archbishop of New York from 1864. In 1875 he was 
made a cardinal. 



Dictionary of United Statbs History. 387 

McClure, Alexander K., born in 1828, was elected as a Republican to the 
Pennsylvania Legislature in 1857 and 1858, and to the Senate in 1859. He 
founded the Philadelphia Times in 1875, which met with unusual success. 

McCook, Alexander McD., general, born in 1831, commanded a regiment 
at Bull Run, and a division at Shiloh and in the Tennessee and Mississippi 
campaigns. He commanded a corps at Perryville, Stone River and Chicka- 
mauga. 

McCormick, Cyrus H. (1809-1884), born in Virginia, invented the reap- 
ing-machine in 183 1. 

McCosh, James, born in 181 1, came to America from Scotland in 186S 
to assume the presidency of the College of New Jersey (Princeton), and held 
that position till 1888. He wrote "The Methods of the Divine Govern- 
ment," and "An Examination of Mill's Philosophy." Died 1894. 

McCrary, George W. (1835-1890), represented Iowa in the U. S. Congress 
as a Republican from 1869 to 1877. He was Secretary of War in Haj-es* 
Cabinet from 1877 to 1879. He was a U. S. Circuit Judge from 1879 to 
1884. 

McCrea, Jane (1753-1777). was taken prisoner by Indians led by Le Loup, 
a Wyandotte chief, in 1777. On the way to the English camp they were 
met by other Indians led by Duluth, sent by David Jones, Miss McCrea's 
lover, to escort her to the English camp, where they were to be married. 
During the ensuing quarrel Le Loup shot Miss McCrea. The versions of . 
this event are many. 

McCuUoch, Benjamin (1811-1862), commanded a company during the 
Mexican War at Monterey, Buena Vista and the city of Mexico. He was a 
U. S. Marshal from 1853 to 1857. He was commissioned brigadier-general 
in the Confederate service in 1861 and fought with distinction at Wilson's 
Creek and Pea Ridge, where he met his death. 

McCuUoch, Hugh, bom in 1808, was cashier and manager of a bank at 
Fort Wayne, Ind., from 1835 to 1856, and president of the Indiana State 
Bank from 1856 to 1863. While Comptroller of the Currency (a new office) 
from 1863 to 1865 he organized the bureau and inaugurated the national 
banking system. He was Secretary of the Treasury in the Cabinets of 
Lincoln and Johnson from 1865 to 1869. He successfully accomplished the 
funding of the national debt. He was again Secretary of the Treasury from 
1884 to 1885. Died 1895, 

McCuUoch vs. Maryland, a famous case in the U. S. Supreme Court, 
brought by writ of error from the Court of Appeals of Maryland to the 
Supreme Court in 1819. McCulloch was cashier of a branch established in 
Baltimore by the Bank of the United States, of Philadelphia, which had 
been incorporated by an act of Congress in 181 6. The action was one of 
debt brought by the State of Marj'land against McCulloch, who, it was 
averred, had refused to comply with an act of the Maryland General Assem- 
bly of 1818, which imposed a "tax upon all banks or branches thereof in 
the .State of Maryland, not chartered by the Legislature.''^ The decision of the 
Court of Appeals of Maryland had been against the plaintiff. The Supreme 



388 Dictionary of United States History. 

Court reversed this decision, declaring that the Bank Act of 1816 was con- 
stitutional, and that therefore the act of the Maryland Legislature of 1818 
was contrary to the Constitution of the United States, and therefore void, 
because States have no power, by taxation or otherwise, to impede or control 
the operations of constitutional laws enacted by Congress to carry into exe- 
cution any of the powers of the Federal Government. 

McDonald, Joseph E. (1819-1891), was a county prosecuting attorney 
from 1843 to 1847. He represented Indiana in the U. S. Congress as a 
Democrat from 1849 to 1851. He was Attorney-General of Indiana from 
1856 to i860. He was a U. S. Senator from 1875 to 1881, and was in favor 
of hard money and a protective tariff. 

Macdonough, Thomas (i 783-1825), commodore, served in the Tripoli 
expedition under Decatur from 1803 to 1804. He gained a celebrated victory 
over a superior British squadron under Commodore Downie at Plattsburg on 
L,ake Champlain in 1814. The British fleet consisted of sixteen vessels with 
ninety-five guns and 1000 men, and lost about 200, besides prisoners. The 
American force consisted of fourteen vessels, carrying eighty-six guns and 
850 men, and lost 112 men. 

McDowell, Irvin (1818-1885), graduated at West Point in 1838 and served, 
like so many other West-Pointers, in the Mexican War. In 1861 lie was 
appointed brigadier-general, and placed in charge of the Army of the 
Potomac. His plans for the first battle of Bull Run were admittedly 
excellent, but nothing could check the demoralization of the green troops. 
His reputation as a general was unjustly involved in the collapse of the 
army, and he was never again intrusted with high command. He was a 
corps commander in Virginia in 1862, fought at the battles of Cedar 
Mountain and second Bull Run; after the war he was a commander of various 
military departments, was promoted major-general in 1872, and retired in 
1882. 

McDufiEie, George (1788— 1851), represented South Carolina as a Democrat 
in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1821 to 1834. While chainnan 
of the Ways and Means Committee he favored the maintenance of a U. S. 
bank. He drafted the address of South Carolina to the people of the United 
States in 1832. He was Governor of South Carolina from 1834 to 1836, and 
was a U. S. Senator from 1842 to 1846. 

Mace. The mace used in the House of Representatives from 1789 on 
(ebony fasces surmounted by a silver eagle upon a silver globe) was destroyed 
when the British burned the Capitol in 1814. The present one was made 
in 1842. 

" Macedonian," frigate. (See " United States.") 

" McFingal," the most famous political satire of the Revolutionary 
period, was written by John Trumbull, of Connecticut (1750-1831), and was 
published in 1782. It is an imitation of Butler's " Hudibras." 

McGillivray, Alexander (1740-1793), chief of the Creek Indians, aided 
the British during the Revolution. He afterward conducted atrocious raids 



Dictionary of United States History. 389 

along the Cumberland River. He had a strong mind, but was treacherous 
and cruel. 

McGlynn, Edward, Roman Catholic priest, born in 1837, aided in found- 
ing the Anti-Poverty Society in 1887. He was removed from the pastorate 
of St. Stephen's Church, New York, on account of discountenancing paro- 
chial schools and advocating in public the land theories of Henr>' George, 
but was restored to favor in 1892. 

McHenry, James (i 753-1816), came to Philadelphia from Ireland about 
1771. He served during the Revolution as surgeon and aide. He was a 
member of the Maryland Senate from 1781 to 1786, a delegate from Mary- 
land to the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1786, and a member of the 
Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was Secretar>- of War from 1796 to 
1 801 in the Cabinets of Washington and Adams. 

McHenry, Fort, Baltimore, garrisoned by 1000 men under Major Armistead 
during the War of 181 2, guarded Baltimore against an attack by sea. Sep- 
tember 13, 1814, Admiral Cochrane with sixteen heavy war-vessels opened 
bombardment upon the fort. Its guns failed to reach the fleet till some of 
the British vessels approached nearer. They met so warm a reception that 
they withdrew, badly damaged. A force of 1000 men, landed to surprise the 
fort in the rear, was repulsed. At midnight the firing ceased; next day the 
British withdrew and Baltimore was safe. The only damage was on the 
American side, four killed and twenty-four wounded. During the bombard- 
ment Francis S. Key, a prisoner on board the British fleet, wrote the " Star- 
Spangled Banner." 

McHenry Case (1851). One McHenr>-, a respectable colored resident of 
Syracuse, N. Y., was arrested in October as a fugitive slave. He escaped 
the officers, but was recaptured. A convention of the Liberty party was 
then in session, and fully 2000 people hastened to the court house and 
rescued McHenry, who escaped to Canada. The U. S. Marshal was tried 
for kidnapping, but acquitted. 

McKean, Thomas (1734-1817), Governor, was prominent in the Stamp- 
Act Congress of 1765 as a delegate from Delaware, and aided in drafting the 
memorial to the lords and commons. He was a member of the Continental 
Congress from Delaware from 1774 to 1783, and its president in 1781. He 
aided in drafting the Articles of Confederation, and was prominent in securing 
the Declaration of Independence, of which he was one of the signers. He 
was Chief Justice of Pennsylvania from 1777 to 1799, and Governor from 
1799 to 1808. 

Mackinaw (originally Michillimackinac), was from the middle of the 
seventeenth century a centre of the Northwestern fur-trade. In the War of 
181 2 the first move of the British was to send a body of two hundred 
regulars and Canadians, with Indian allies, who, on July 17, 1812, captured 
this American post. An attempt to recapture it in 1814 was unsuccessful. 

McKinley, John (i 780-1852), represented Alabama in the U. S. Senate as 
a Democrat from 1826 to 1831. He was a U. S. Congressman from 1833 to 
1835. From 1S37 to 1852 he was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. 



390 Dictionary of United States History. 

McKinley, Wm., Jr., Congressman and Governor of Ohio, was born at 
Niles, O., in 1844, and served as a volunteer in the Civil War. He was a 
member of the House of Representatives from 1877 to 1891, and as chair- 
man of the Committee of Ways and Means had the chief hand in framing 
the Tariff Act of October i, 1890, commonly called the McKinley Act. 
From Januar)-, 1892, to January, 1896, he was Governor of Ohio. Elected 
President of the United States Nov. 3, 1896, inaugurated March 4, 1897. 

McKinley Act, a bill submitted in Congress by Representative McKinley, 
of Ohio, and which became law October i, 1890. It provided for a high rate 
of duty on a large number of articles imported from foreign countries, but 
made sugar free. This act was designed to reduce the national revenue and 
increase protection. 

McLane, Louis (1786-1857), of Delaware, was Representative in Congress 
from 1817 to 1827, Senator from 1827 to 1829, Minister to England from 
1829 to 1831, and Secretary of the Treasury in Jackson's Cabinet from 1831 
to 1833, when he resigned rather than order the removal of the deposits 
(see art. Deposits). He was then Secretary of State for a year. In 1845-46 
he was again Minister to England. 

McLane, Robert M., born in 1815, was a Democratic U. S. Congressman 
from Maryland from 1847 to 1851. He was Minister to China from 1854 to 
1856, to Mexico from 1859 to i860 and to France from 1885 to 1889. 

McLaws, Lafayette, born in 182 1, was graduated at West Point, resigned 
from the U. S. army in 1861, and became a major-general in the Confederate 
service. He distinguished himself as a division commander at Harper's 
Ferry, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. 

McLean, John (1785-1861), born in New Jersey, but brought up in Ohio, 
■was a Representative from Ohio from 181 3 to 1817, and Postmaster-General 
from 1823 to 1829, in the administrations of Monroe and John Quincy 
Adams. From 1830 to 1861 he was an Associate Justice of the Supreme 
Court of the United States. In the Dred Scott case he dissented from the 
opinion of Chief Justice Taney. 

McLeod, Alexander, a Canadian temporarily in New York State in 1841, 
■was arrested and indicted for participation in the " Caroline " affair (see art.). 
The British Minister demanded his release, alleging that, the case being 
international, jurisdiction over it belonged to the U. S. Government, not 
to the State courts. Such was also the view of the U. S. Government. But 
the courts of New York held, on the contrary, that the burning of the 
" Caroline " was not an act of magistracy on the part of the Canadian Gov- 
ernment, that McLeod was therefore individually responsible and amenable 
to the New York courts. He proved an alibi. 

McMaster, John Bach, born in 1852, is the author of a " History of the 
People of the United States from the Revolution to the Civil War," of 
■whicli three volumes have appeared, and a " Life of Benjamin Franklin." 

McMillin, Benton, born in Kentucky in 1845, was a Representative in 
Congress from Tennessee from 1879 to the present time (1897), ^°^ °^ ^^*-^ 
one of the most prominent Democratic leaders. 



Dictionary of United States History. 391 

Macomb, Alexander (1782-1841), entered the U. S. anny in 1799, and at 
the outbreak of the War of 1812 was adjutant-general of the army. Taking 
service in the field he, in September, 1814, won the victory of Plattsburg 
over Sir George Provost, and was made major-general. From 1835 to 1841 
he was commander-in-chief of the army. 

Macon, Nathaniel (i 757-1 837), of North Carolina, Representative from 
1791 to 1815, was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1801 to 
1807. From 1815 to 1828 he was a Senator from North Carolina. A Demo- 
cratic-Republican of the strictest type, he was noted for his political upright- 
ness and purity. He was a principal member of the faction called " Quids." 

Macon, Fort, N. C, captured from the Confederates by General Parke, 
commanding 35,000 troops from Burnside's army, April 23, 1862. The fort 
was garrisoned by 500 Confederates under Colonel White. 

" Macon Bill No. 2," a bill so called from its author, Nathaniel Macon, 
was passed by Congress on May i, 1810, as a means of extricating the 
United States from the difficulties caused by the aggressions of England and 
France. It provided that commerce should be free, but that if either Eng- 
land should withdraw her Orders in Council or France her Berlin and Milan 
Decrees, intercourse should be prohibited with the nation which retained 
them. 

Macon Road, Ga. , a battle during Shennan's investment of Atlanta, July 
261 1864. ;\IcCook, commanding 4000 Federals, was defeated and captured 
by 6000 Confederates of Hood's army under Ransom. 

McPherson, James B. (1828-1864), a brilliant young general of the Civil 
War, was graduated from West Point in 1853. In 1862 and 1863 he was 
with Grant in the Tennessee and Vicksburg campaigns, commanding a corps 
with distinguished success. In the spring of 1864 he was put in command 
of the Army of the Tennessee, and assisted Sherman in his advance into 
Georgia. He had a most important part in the fighting against Johnston at 
Resaca, New Hope Church, Dallas and Kenesaw Mountain. He was killed 
in the battle against Hood at Atlanta, July 22, 1864. 

McPherson, John R., born in 1833, was a member of the New Jersey 
Senate from 1S70 to 1873. He was elected to the U. S. Senate from New 
Jersey as a Democrat in 1876, 1883 and 1889. 

MacVeagh, Wayne, lawyer, born in Pennsylvania in 1833, was U. S. 
Minister to Turkey from 1870 to 1871, headed a commission of investigation 
in Louisiana appointed by President Hayes in 1877, was Attorney-General 
of the United States under Garfield in 1881, and in 1893 was appointed 
Minister to Italy. 

Madagascar. The United States concluded a commercial treaty with 
Madagascar in 1867, which was modified and enlarged in 1881. 

Madison, Dorothy Paine (1772-1849), wife of President Madison, was a 
beautiful and accomplished Quakeress. Her first husband was John Todd, a 
Philadelphia lawyer. She married Mr. Madison in 1794, and was unusually 
successful as a President's wife. 



392 Dictionary of United States History. 

Madison, James (1751-1836), fourth President of the United States, was 
born in King George County, Va. He was well educated, graduated at Prince- 
ton in 1772, and was early distinguished for sound judgment, discretion, 
acquirements, industry and patriotism. In 1774 he was a member of the 
Committee of Public Safety of Orange County, and in 1776 became a mem- 
ber of the Virginia Convention. From 1780 to 1784 he was a member of 
the Continental Congress, and, in spite of his youth and modesty, had a 
leading share in its deliberations, and especially its committee-work, for 
which his sensible and methodical mind was peculiarly apt. In the Virginia 
Assembly (1784-87) he did great service in securing religious liberty and in 
promoting the movement toward a better imion of the States. Probably no 
one else contributed more to this end in all America. He was a member of 
the Alexandria-Mount-Vernon Conference of 1785, of the Annapolis Con- 
vention of 1786, and of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, in which 
he had the most influential part, through his own talents for constru.ntive 
statesmanship and also through his persuasive and conciliatory spirit. 
In 1788 he wrote a portion of the Federalist^ and did more than any 
one else to secure the ratification of the Constitution by Virginia. From 
1789 to 1797 he was a leading member of Congress, inclining more and 
more to the doctrines and party of Jefferson. He wrote the Virginia reso- 
lutions of 1798. From 1801 to 1809 he was Secretary of State in Jeffer- 
son's Cabinet, and from 1809 to 181 7 he was President of the United 
States, being elected over C. C. Pinckney in 1808, and over DeWitt Clinton 
in 1812. The chief event in his administration was the War of 1812, which 
he managed feebly. His Cabinet consisted of Robert Smith (1811-17 James 
Monroe), Secretary of State; Albert Gallatin (1814 G. W. Campbell, 1814 
A. J. Dallas, 181 6 W. H. Crawford), Secretary of the Treasury; William 
Eustis (1813 John Armstrong, 1814 J. Monroe, 1815 W. H. Crawford), Sec- 
retary of War; Paul Hamilton (1813 William Jones, 1814 B. W. Crownin- 
shield), Secretary of the Navy; Csesar A. Rodney (181 1 William Pinckney, 
1814 Richard Rush), Attorney-General. The Vice-Presidents were George 
Clinton, 1809-1813; Elbridge Gerr>', 1813-1814. From 1817 to his death 
Madison lived in retirement at Montpelier, Va. Life by Rives. 

Madison, Fort (near St. Louis). Attacked September 5, 1812, by a party 
of Winnebagoes. After three days' fighting the Indians withdrew. The 
American loss was one man. 

Madison, Wis., was chosen as the State capital in 1836, while yet a 
wilderness. 

Madoc, or Madog, a Welsh prince, son of Owain Gwynedd, is said, in 
accordance with a tradition first published in the sixteenth century, to have 
sailed west about 11 71 and discovered America. The first mention of this 
Madog is in a Welsh poem of the fourteenth century. He is not known to 
have existed, and the story of his discovery is not now believed by the most 
competent authorities. 

Magazines. The first American literary periodical was the " General 
Magazine and Historical Chronicle," issued by Franklin at Philadelphia in 
1741. In the same year and place appeared the "American Magazine," but 



Dictionary of United States History. 393 

neither lived a year. In 1743 an "American Magazine and Historical 
Chronicle" began to be pnblished in Boston. The first which appeared in 
New York was the " Independent Reflector," weekly, 1752. Other important 
magazines of the eighteenth centnry were the " Pennsylvania Magazine" of 
1775, the "American Museum," 1787-1797; the "Massachusetts Magazine," 
17S9-1796, and the "New York Magazine," 1790-1797. Of much more 
value were the "Portfolio," Philadelphia, 1801-1825, and the "Monthly 
Anthology," Boston, 1803-1811. The first important review was the " North 
American Review," founded in 1815 at Boston. The chief predecessor of the 
modern literary and miscellaneous magazines of America was the " Knick- 
erbocker," 1 83 2-1 860. Of the leading magazines of the present time, 
Harper's was founded in 1850, Scribner's (later the "Century Magazine") 
in 1870, the "Atlantic Monthly" in 1857. 

Magoffin, Beriah (1815-1885), a prominent member of the Democratic 
party, was Governor of Kentucky from 1859 to 1862. His sympathies 
inclined toward the Confederates, but he maintained a policy of neutrality. 

Magruder, John B. (1810-1871), Confederate major-general, commanded 
the forces in the Peninsula in 1862, the Department of Texas during the 
remainder of the war, after which he served under Maximilian in Mexico. 

Vj Maguaga, Mich., about fourteen miles from Detroit, scene of a minor 
engagement in the War of 1812, August 9, 1812. Colonel Miller, attempt- 
ing to clear the road to Detroit, attacked the British and Indians, under 
General Proctor and Tecumseh. Though successful, he was obliged to give 
up his advance movement. 

Mahon, Philip H. Stanhope, Lord (afterward Earl Stanhope) (1805-1875), 
an English statesman, wrote a " History of England from the Peace of 
Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles (1713-1783)," which is recognized as a 
standard work, and presents a moderate English view of the Revolution. 

Mahone, William, born in 1826, Confederate major-general, and noted for 
hard fighting in several battles, especially at Petersburg, about 1878 organ- 
ized and became the leader of the party called Readjusters, advocating 
repudiation of the State debt of Virginia. From 1881 to 1887 he was a 
Senator from Virginia. Died October 8, 1895. 

Maine, name probably meaning main-land, as distinguished from the 
islands off its coast. It was first settled by a party led by George Popham 
in 1607, but this was temporary-. By grants of 1622, 1629 and 1639, Sir 
Ferdinando Gorges obtained the territory between the Piscataqua and the 
Kennebec. In 1652 and again in 1668, Massachusetts obtained possession 
of this part of Maine. Eastern Maine, held by the Duke of York from 1664, 
fell to Massachusetts in 1691. The "District of Maine " remained a part of 
IVIassachusetts till 1820, when it was admitted to the Union as a separate 
State on April 15. Its Constitution, framed in that year, is still in operation. 
In 1842 the Ashburton Treaty settled the long-standing dispute regarding 
its northeast boundary. Its boundary with New Hampshire had been set- 
tled in 1737. The "Maine law," prohibiting the manufacture and sale of 
intoxicating liquors, was passed in 1851 and permanently in 1858. Maine 



394 Dictionary of United States History. 

was almost constauth- Democratic from 1820 to 1854; almost constantly 
Republican from 1856 to the present time (1894). In 1880 a Democratic 
Governor and council " counted in " a Democratic-Greenback Legislature, 
and for a brief period there were two bodies claiming to be Legislatures. 
In 1790 the population of Maine was 97,000, in 1820 298,000, in 1890 
661,000. 

Maine Historical Society, founded in 1822, has published several 
volumes. 

Maine Law, a law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors as a bever- 
age, first adopted in Maine in 1851. 

Malbone, Edward G. (i 777-1807), born in Newport, R. I., was the most 

eminent painter of miniatures who has ever appeared in America. He 
pursued his art in Providence, Boston, New York and Philadelphia, and from 
1800 in Charleston, S. C. 

Maiden, Upper Canada, was during the earlier part of the War of 1812 
the centre of British operations against Detroit and the Northwest. After 
Harrison's victory on the Thames it was evacuated, October, 1813. 

Mallory, Stephen R. (i 813-1873), of Florida (though of New England 
parentage), was a Senator from Florida from 1851 to 1861. During most 
of this time he was chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs. On the 
formation of the Confederate Government he was appointed by President 
Davis Secretary of the Navy, which office he held during the continuance of 
the Confederacy. 

Malvern Hill, a battle in the Civil War, the last of the " Seven Days' " 
battles, July i, 1862, by which McClellan completed his change of base to 
the James River. After the battle of Frayser's Farm, McClellan had 
retreated with his 85,000 Federal troops to Malvern Hill, a strong position 
on an elevated plateau shaped like an amphitheatre. His lines were securely 
posted behind fences, ditches and hedges, their batteries and infantry com- 
manding the slope which the Confederates must ascend to attack them. 
Lee ordered an attack, which was meant to be made simultaneously by all 
parts of his line at a given signal, the " Confederate yell." But his lieuten- 
ants were so separated that the signal could not be heard, and the attacks 
were therefore feeble and disorganized. D. H. Hill and Magruder bore the 
brunt of the fight. Time after time they charged the impregnable Federal 
position, but in vain. They were always driven back with fearful slaughter. 
The battle lasted until nightfall. During the night McClellan retired under 
cover of a violent storm. 

Manassas, Va., the field of two engagements during the Civil War. 
July 21, 1861, Johnston and Beauregard, with 31,000 Confederates, defeated 
28,000 Federals under McDowell. August 29-30, Pope, Federal, with 40,000 
troops, was defeated by Lee and Jackson. (See Bull Run, two battles of.) 

" Mandamus Councillors," a name opprobriously applied by the revolu- 
tionary party in Massachusetts to those members of the council of the 
province who, in August, 1774, accepted appointment by writ of mandamus 



Dictionary of United States History. 395 

at the hands of Governor Gage. By the charter of 1691 councillors had 
been elected by the House of Representatives. The Massachusetts Charter 
Act of 1774, to punish Massachusetts, gave the Governor power to appoint 
them. 

Mandans, a small tribe of Indians, numbering about 500, now dwelling 
on a reservation in Dakota. They are first heard of about 1772. They 
then lived on the Missouri, about 1500 miles up from its mouth. They are 
of light complexion, hence many vain attempts to trace their descent from 
the supposed Welsh colony of Prince Madoc. 

Manderson, Charles F., born in 1837, was appointed colonel during the 
Civil War. He was elected to the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 
Nebraska in 1883 and 1887, serving till 1893. 

Mangoaks, a tribe of Indians in North Carolina, into whose country 
Ralph Lane, commander of Raleigh's colony, in 1586 attempted an expedi- 
tion, on information of a pearl fishery among them. 

Mangum, Willie P. (1792-1861), of North Carolina, was a Representative 
from that State from 1823 to 1826, and Senator from 1831 to 1836 and from 
1840 to 1853, serving as a Whig. In 1836 he received the electoral votes 
of South Carolina for the Presidency. 

Manhattan, the original, apparently Indian, name of the island on which 
New York is now situated. In 1613 the first .settlement was made, of the 
nature of a trading-post. In 1626 Peter Minuit, director for the Dutch 
West India Company, bought the island of the Indians for sixty guilders ($24). 

" Manifest Destiny," a cant phrase enjoying much vogue in the forties, 
signifying the manifest destiny of the United States to acquire complete 
supremacy upon the American continent. The notion, though in some 
aspects a patriotic and noble one, was made a cover for unscrupulous aggres- 
sions upon weaker powers, as in the case of the Mexican War. 

Manley, John (i 733-1 793), born in England, but settled in Marblehead, 
Mass., was commissioned by Washington to cruise off Boston and intercept 
Gage's supplies, October 24, 1775. He opened the naval operations of the 
Revolution by capturing the " Nancy," laden with military supplies, on 
November 29. In 1776 he was made the second captain in the U. S. navy, 
and commanded the " Hancock " in 1776 and 1777, and privateers subse- 
quently. He was twice made a prisoner. In 1782 he commanded the 
'' Hague." 

Mann, Horace (i 796-1 859), of Massachusetts, educator, was graduated at 
Brown University in 1819. From 1837 to 1848 he was secretary of the 
Massachusetts State Board of Education. He reformed the educational 
system of the State, introducing normal schools and teachers' conventions, 
and exerted a wide influence throughout the country in regard to educational 
matters. From 1848 to 1853 he was an anti-slavery Whig Congressman, 
and from 1853 to his death was president of Antioch College. 

Manning, Daniel (1831-1887), of New York, chairman of its Democratic 
State Committee from 1881 to 1884, was appointed Secretary of the Treas- 
ury by President Cleveland in 1885, and served as such till 1887. 



396 Dictionary of United States History. 

Manors, m the United States. Manors of the English type, i. e., landed 
estates granted on such terms that the right of property carried with it 
rio-hts of jurisdiction, were created in several of the colonies. In 1636 the 
Proprietor of Maryland ordained that every grant of 2000 acres to any man 
should be erected into a manor. Bohemia Manor, My Lady's Manor and 
Doughoregan Manor are celebrated, as also Penn Manor in Pennsylvania. 
Under the Duke of York Martha's Vineyard was the Manor of Tisbury. 
In New Netherland the Dutch West India Company erected manors for the 
patroons. (See Patroons, Anti-renters.) 

Mansfield, J. K. F. (1803-1862), general, was commander of the Depart- 
ment of Washington during the earlier part of the Civil War, and was 
killed at Antietam. 

Mansfield, William Murray, Lord (i 704-1 793), the most eminent of Eng- 
lish judges, was Chief Justice of the King's Bench from 1756 to 1788. He 
maintained the right of Great Britain to tax the American colonies and was 
one of the most zealous opponents of the repeal of the Stamp Act. (See alsa 
Sommersett's Case.) 

Manteo, a friendly Indian of the Roanoke region, was helpful to Raleigh's 
colony of 1585-86. He had visited England with Amidas and Barlow just 
before. 

Manufactory Bank, a short-lived scheme in Massachusetts in 1740 to 
establish a bank by securing its issues by a mortgage on the real estate of 
each subscriber to the amount of his subscription. It was supported by 
traders and people in the rural districts and by the House of Representa- 
tives, but was opposed by a strong party. It issued ;^50,ooo of notes and 
then failed. 

Manufactures. American manufactures began with the making of glass 
at the Jamestown colony. At first the chief manufactures in the colonies 
were of ships, lumber and iron. Domestic manufactures continued till long 
after the Revolution to be an important portion, especially in the article 
of cloth. Soon the amount of American exports of manufactured articles 
was so great that English manufacturers complained. In 1699 Parlia- 
ment enacted that no woolen manufactures should be shipped from the 
colonies. The iron manufacture was repressed by a series of laws beginning 
in 1719. E.xport of hats was forbidden in 1731, and several other similar 
prohibitions were enacted. The Revolution stimulated manufactures and 
States tried to foster them by bounties. Yet in 1789 they were still in their 
infancy. The country was mainly agricultural, though there were some 
important manufactures of heavy iron goods, paper, glass, gunpowder, rum, 
leather and textiles, and excellent ships were built. The slightly protective 
tariff of 1789 increased manufactures, the War of 1812 still more so, inso- 
much that in 181 5 the amount of capital in the cotton and woolen industries 
was probably $50,000,000. After the war a great development of Ameri- 
can manufactures began, those created by the war demanding increased 
protection, and receiving it in the tariffs of 1824 and 1828. Manufacturing 
towns arose, and American life ceased to be exclusively agricultural and 
rural. This development, however, was almost entirely in the North. 



Dictionary of United States History. 397 

When the Civil War broke out, tlie South was almost without manufactures, 
while the industrial life of the North was becoming more and more varied. 
Since the war the manufactures of the United States have developed to such 
an extent that they are the leading manufacturing country of the world, and 
make one-fourth of its entire total of manufacturing. The amount of 
manufacturing done in the United States seems to have about doubled from 
1880 to 1890. The history of some of the leading industries is treated in 
separate articles. 

Marble, Manton, born in 1835, was proprietor and editor of the New 
York World, a free-trade Democratic journal, from 1862 to 1876. He has 
published an account of the election of 1S76. 

Marbois, Franijois de Barbe-, Marquis de (1745-1837), was sent from 
France to the United States as secretary of legation in 1779, and remained 
until 1785. When appointed to cede Louisiana to the United States in 
1803, he secured 30,000,000 francs more than the French administration 
had demanded. He wrote " Complot d'Arnold et Sir Henry Clinton contre les 
Etats-Unis d'Ainerique," and " L'Histoire de la Louisiane et de la Cession." 

Marbury vs. Madison. William Marbury and others, having been 
appointed justices ol the peace in the District of Columbia by President 
Adams, with the consent of the Senate, and having, on President Jefferson's 
accession, failed to receive their respective commissions of appointment, 
moved the Supreme Court to issue a mandamus to James Madison, Secre- 
tary of State, commanding him to deliver their several commissions. The 
court decided that Marbury was legally entitled to his commission, but that 
the Constitution did not invest it with the authority to issue a mandamus 
in such a case. The rule was discharged February, 1803. Thus the court 
declared unconstitutional a portion of an Act of Congress, the Judiciary Act 
of 1789, which purported to grant such authority. This was the first 
important case in which the Court set aside an act of Congress because of 
conflict with the Constitution. 

March Fourth, the day chosen for the Presidential inauguration. Its 
choice dates from the year 1788, that day being designated, after the ratifi- 
cation of the Constitution by the States, as inauguration day, by the Congress 
of the old Confederation. They fixed on the first Wednesday in Januar>', 
1789, for the choice of the electors; the first Wednesday in February for the 
voting by the electors; the first Wednesday in March (March 4 that year) 
for the inauguration. The Twelfth Amendment makes this the constitu- 
tional day. 

March to the Sea, General Sherman's celebrated march from Atlanta to 
Savannah with a Union army of over 60,000 men, November 15 to Decem- 
ber 21, 1864. Burning the Confederate shops, depots and storehouses, and 
leaving Thomas with two corps to look after Hood, Slierman set out with 
the Fifteenth, Seventeenth, Fourteenth and Twentieth corps of infantry, 
5063 cavalry under Kilpatrick, 181 2 artillerymen, and enormous trains of 
wagons and ambulances. The line of march extended nearly sixty miles 
through the very [heart of the Confederacy, passing through Rough and 
Ready, Jonesboro, Covington, McDonough, Macon, Milledgeville, Gibson, 



398 Dictionary of United States History 

Louisville, Millen, Springfield and many smaller towns. The march was 
300 miles in length. The soldiers were allowed to pillage freely, discrimin- 
ating between the rich and poor. The Georgia Central Railroad was wholly 
destroyed, besides thousands of dollars' worth of other property. Foraging 
parties preceded the army, and scouts were kept constantly on the lookout 
for Confederate attacks. Sherman lost 764 men on the march. Savannah 
was captured, after some days of siege, December 21, Sherman presenting the 
city to Lincoln as a " Christmas present." 

Marcy, Randolph B. (1812-1887), served in the Mexican War, and was 
brevetted major-general for services during the Civil War. From 1869 to 
1881 he was inspector-general. He published "Exploration of the Red 
River" in 1852. 

Marcy, \A^illiam Larned (i 786-1857), an American Cabinet officer, gradu- 
ated at Brown, became a lawyer, took part in the War of 181 2, and became 
a Democratic editor in Troy. He was one of the leaders in the "Albany 
Regency," and a master in political management. In 1823-1829 he was 
Comptroller of New York, Associate Justice of the State Supreme Court 
1829-1831, and in 1831-1833 member of the U. S. Senate, where he made 
his famous " to the victors belong the spoils " speech. He was Governor of 
New York 1833-1839, Secretary of War 1845-1849, and Secretary of State 
1853-1857. In the latter office he has won general regard for his able treat- 
ment of difficult international questions. 

Margry, Pierre, born in 1818, made extensive investigations and valuable 
discoveries while archivist of the marine and colonies in Paris, concerning 
La Salle and explorations in the Mississippi Valley. 

Mariana, a tract of country, which included a large portion of the present 
State of New Hampshire, granted to John Mason in 1629, by the council 
for New England. It extended from the Salem River to the Merrimac. 

Marine, Secretary of, an office created by act of the Continental Con- 
gress, February 7, 1781, to supersede the Board of Admiralty in the super- 
vision of naval affairs. The duties corresponded to those of the present 
Secretary of the Navy, with certain restrictions, but before the end of the 
year its duties were given to the Treasury Department. 

Marine Hospital Service. In 1798 an act was passed in accordance with 
which twenty cents per month might be detained from the wages of all sea- 
men, to be paid over to the collector of the ports where ships might enter 
on their return voyages, toward a fund for the erection of hospitals for mer- 
chant seamen. This service has been placed under the charge of the Depart- 
ment of the Treasury. 

Marines. The United States Marine Corps was first established by Act 
of Congress November 10, 1775, authorizing the enlistment of two battalions 
to be called the "first and second battalions of marines." The ^Marine Corps 
was re-established by Act of Congress July 11, 1798. By this act the marines 
are at any time liable to do duty in the forts and garrisons of the United 
States. While enlisted they are exempt from arrest for debt or contract. 



Dictionary of United States History. 399 

There is no regimental organization, but the corps may be formed into com- 
panies as the President directs. The marines are at all times subject to the 
laws and regulations of the navy. By the Act of 1874, the commander-in- 
chief of marines is entitled to the rank and pay of a colonel. 

Marion, Francis (i 732-1 795), a Revolutionary* general, was a South Caro- 
linian planter, of Huguenot descent. He fought in the Cherokee War and 
sat in the Provincial Congress. Enlisting at the opening of the Revolution 
he jivas present at the British repulse off Charleston 1776, and took part in 
the unfortunate Savannah expedition of 1779. His noted period is the last 
three years of the war. He organized in 1780 a celebrated partisan corps, 
" Marion's brigade," famous for the activity of its movements, telling blows 
and simplicity of fare. Marion, surnamed the " Swamp-Fox," operated in 
the neighborhood of the Pedee River and other parts of the Carolinas. He 
was engaged in the capture of Fort Watson, took Georgetown, connnanded 
the right at Eutaw Springs, and continued his harassing of the British 
through 1782. He was subsequently a State Senator. 

Mark, a silver coin weighing eleven pennyweights six grains, offered bv 
Morris to the Continental Congress in 1783 for consideration as a national 
coin, but not accepted. It was equivalent to ten of his " cents," seventy of 
ours. Obverse: An eye, the centre of a glor>', thirteen-points cross, equi- 
distant a circle of as many stars. Legend: Nova Constellatio. Reverse: 
U. vS. 1.000, a wreath surrounding. Legend: Libertas. Justitia. 1783. This, 
with the quint, were known as the Nova Constellatio pattern.?. 

Markham, William (1635 ?-i704), came from England in 1681, and was 
Deputy-Governor of Pennsylvania and Delaware until 1682. He was 
Deputy-Governor of Delaware from 1691 to 1693 and Lieutenant-Governor 
of Pennsylvania from 1694 to 1699. 

Marmaduke, John S. (1833-1887), was promoted major-general in the 
Confederate service, and fought at Shiloh, Little Rock and Fort Scott. He 
was elected Governor of Missouri in 1884, and served till his death. 

" Marmion," Case of the. Under an act of the South Carolina Legislature 
passed in 1822, any free negroes entering the ports of the State on ships 
could be imprisoned imtil the ship departed. This was done in the case of 
the " Marmion." In 1824 the Attorney-General and in 1823 the District 
Court of the United States rendered opinions that this law was incompatible 
with the Constitution and the international obligations of the United 
States. 

Marquette, Jacques (1637-1675), one of the most noted of the "pioneers 
of France in the New World," was born at Laon in France, and entered the 
Jesuit order. In 1666 he emigrated to Canada. In the course of his mis- 
sionary work among the Indians in the Great Lake region he made various 
explorations. He founded a mission at Sault Sainte Marie and one at 
Mackinaw. Marquette and Joliet, in 1673, made a long journey by canoes 
by way of the Illinois River to the Mississippi and down that stream to 
Arkansas; of this voyage ]\Iarquette has left an account in his journal. The 
i:ext year he built a log hut on the site of Chicago, and thence pushed on 



400 Dictionary of United States History. 

to Kaskaskia. While laboring among the Illinois Indians his health gave 
way, and he died on his return to the North. 

Marsh, George P. (1801-1882), represented Vermont in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Whig from 1843 to 1849. He was Minister to Turkey from 1849 
to 1853, and to Italy from 1861 to 1882, and was a distinguished scholar. 

Marshall, Humphrey (1812-1872), represented Kentucky in the U. S. 
Congress as a Whig from 1849 to 1852, and from 1855 to 1859. He was a 
brigadier-general in the Confederate army and a Confederate Senator. % 

Marshall, James W. (1812-1885), discovered the first gold in California 
while superintending the construction of a mill-race in Coloma. 

Marshall, John (September 24, 1755-July 6, 1835), the greatest of Ameri- 
can jurists, was born at Germantown, Fauquier County, Va. He was 
deprived of a collegiate education, and was a youth when the Revolutionary 
War began. Young Marshall served as a regimental officer through the 
struggle, and fought at Brandywine, Monmouth, etc. He then applied him- 
self to the law, entered the Virginia House of Burgesses and the council. 
As a member of the convention for ratifying the Federal Constitution in 
1788, he contended on the Federalist side ably and successfully against the 
eloquence of Patrick Henry and his colleagues. With Gerry and C. C. 
Finckney he was Envoy to France in 1797 at the time of Talleyrand's 
attempted bribery of the United States. Returning the next year he served 
as Congressman in 1799-1800, and as Secretary of State 1800-1801. Presi- 
dent Adams in 1801 appointed Marshall Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 
which position he held until his death. He is famous in the national annals 
for his great opinions defining and interpreting the Federal Constitution, 
and aiding to consolidate the Union. He presided over the Burr trial, and 
in 1829 was a member of the Virginia convention for revising the State 
Constitution. Marshall wrote a life of Washington in five volumes, after- 
ward revised and condensed in two volumes. His writings were edited by 
Story. 

Marshals. The Judiciary Act of 1789 provided for officers called marshals, 
whose functions with respect to the Federal courts were to be like those of 
sheriffs with respect to the State courts. In 1790 they were entrusted with 
the census enumeration, and so frequently with respect to later censuses. 

Marshfield, Mass., noted as the home of Daniel Webster. He died and 
was buried there. 

Martha's Vineyard, discovered in 1602 by Bartholomew Gosnold, who 
gave the name to a smaller island now called No Man's Land, whence it 
was transferred. Martha's Vinej'ard was at first called Capawak. It was 
settled in 1642 by Thomas Mayhew, an English merchant, who purchased 
the island from Lord Stirling, to whom it had been granted with other terri- 
tory. Mayhew established a missionary post and made many converts 
among the Indians. In 1644, the island was placed under the jurisdiction 
of Massachusetts by the Federal Commissioners of New England. It was 
later transferred to New York, but was restored to Massachusetts in 1692. 



Dictionary of United States History. 401 

Martin, Francois X. (1762-1846), born in France, became a printer in 
North Carolina, then moved to New Orleans. He was for thirty years a 
Judge of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, and Chief-Justice from 1837 to 
1845. He wrote histories of North Carolina and Louisiana. 

Martin, Luther (1744-1826), Attorney-General of Maryland, was a mem- 
ber of the Annapolis Convention. He was a delegate from Maryland to the 
Continental Congress from 1784 to 1785. He was a member of the Consti- 
tutional Convention of 1787, but opposed the adoption of the Constitution. 
He was counsel for defence in the trials of Judge Chase and Aaron Burr, 
having in his later years become a Federalist. 

Martin vs. Hunter's Lessee, Virginia. In 1791 Martin brought a suit 
of ejectment against the defendant in the District Court of Virginia for the 
recovery of certain lands. This court decided for the defendant. The 
Court of Appeals of Virginia reversed this decision, and their judgment 
was in turn reversed by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1816. 
This judgment the Court of Appeals of Virginia refused to execute, being 
of the " unanimous opinion that the appellate power of the Supreme Court 
of the United States does not extend to this court under a sotind construc- 
tion of the Constitution of the United States," and " that the Act of Con- 
gress to that effect is not in pursuance of the said Constitution." The 
Supreme Court overruled this decision and established its prerogative upon 
such points. 

Martling Men, in New York political history, the members of a union of 
Burrites and Lewisites (followers of Morgan Lewis), mostly Democrats, 
formed in 1807. So called because their usual place of meeting was " Mart- 
ling's long room." They were connected with the Tammany Society, and 
were later known as Bucktails. 

Maryland, one of the original thirteen States. Maryland was founded by 
Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, a Roman Catholic, in 1634. His father, 
George Calvert, was a member of the London Company and Secretary' of 
State under James I. from 1618 to 1625. He had made an unsuccessful 
attempt to found a colony on Newfoundland in 162 1 (see Avalon) and in 
1629 he had landed in Virginia with forty Catholic colonists, but they were 
not welcomed by the Protestants of Virginia and soon returned home. 
Charles L then gave to Baltimore a charter for the land north of the Potomac 
River as far as the forty-first degree of latitude and to the source of the 
Potomac River on the west. This territory lay within the grant to Virginia. 
The name Maryland was given in honor of the queen, Henrietta Maria. 
The government of the colony was to be in the hands of the proprietor. 
St. Mary's, the first settlement, was founded in 1634 by two hundred colonists, 
many of whom were Protestants. Baltimore maintained toleration for all. 
But from 1691 until the Revolution the Protestants were strong enough to 
disfranchise the Catholics. In 1635 Clayborne, a Virginian who had a 
trading post on Kent Island, within the grant to Mar\'land, and who had 
been ejected by Calvert, invaded Maryland at the head of a party of rangers 
and obtained temporary control of the colony. — Maryland refused to ratify 
the Articles of Confederation which had been adopted by Congress in 1777 

26 



402 Dictionary of United Statbs History. 

until March i, 1781. The State had no western territory herself and 
demanded that Virginia, New York and other States should surrender their 
claims to lands beyond the Alleghanies to the General Government. When 
their intention to do this was signified by those States, Maryland ratified the 
articles and they became at once binding on all the States. The Constitution 
was adopted April 28, 1788, by a vote of sixty-three to eleven. The Feder- 
alists controlled the State until 1802. In 181 2 the Hanson riots in Baltimore, 
caused by an attack on a Federalist newspaper oflice, resulted in the restora- 
tion of the State to the Federalist party. From 1820 to 1850 the State was 
Anti-Democratic (Whig). The American party controlled the State from 1854 
to 1859. In 1860-61 the people generally were opposed to secession. The 
Civil War began with the Baltimore riots in 1861. From 1868 to the present 
time (1894) the State has been Democratic. The population of the State in 
1790 was 319,728; in 1890, 1,042,390. History by Scharf. 

" Maryland Gazette," earliest newspaper published in Maryland. It was 
established at Annapolis in 1727 by William Parks, and continued irregu- 
larly as a weekly until about 1736, when it was suspended. In 1745 another 
Gazei/e a-pTpeared, which, with the exception of a short suspension in 1765 
on account of the Stamp Act, was published regularly during the Revolu- 
tion, and still exists as a weekly journal, there being but one newspaper in 
the United States of prior origin. Maryland was the fourth colony in which 
a newspaper was established. 

Maryland Historical Society was founded in 1844, and has issued many 
separate publications, and also the printed archives of the colony. 

Maryland in Liberia, a negro colony, composed largely of Maryland free 
negroes, founded in Liberia in February, 1834, by the Maryland State Coloni- 
zation Society, which had been organized three years before. Expeditions 
had been sent out and landed at Monrovia in 1831 and 1832, but these had 
proved unsuccessful, and the colonists were removed to Cape Palmas, where 
the " Maryland " settlement was finally made. This settlement was an entire 
success. John Russworm, a citizen of Monrovia, was chosen as the first 
Governor in 1836. 

" Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser," the third newspaper 
established in Maryland. It appeared in Baltimore in 1773, and together 
with the Maryland Gazette constituted the entire Revolutionary press of the 
State. This paper was edited and published by William Goddard. Its pub- 
lication was finally suspended in 1797. 

Mason, Charles (i 730-1 787), an English surveyor, was commissioned 
with Jeremiah Dixon from 1763 to 1767 to survey the boundary line between 
Pennsylvania and Maryland, famous as marking the boundary between the 
free and the slave States. 

Mason, George (1725-1792), an American Revolutionary leader, was one 
of the great Virginians of that epoch. He drafted in 1769 the "non- 
importation " resolutions in the Virginia Assembly, and was one of the 
chief members of that body. In 1776 he drafted the Bill of Rights and the 
new State Constitution. He had an active part in the debates of the Federal 



Dictionary of United States History. 403 

Convention of 1787, but refused to sign the Constitution, and went liome to 
throw the weight of his great influence on the Anti-Federalist side in the 
ratifying Convention of 1788. Life by Miss K. M. Rowland. 

Mason, James M. (1798-1871), Senator, was a member of the Virginia 
House of Delegates from 1826 to 1832. He represented Virginia in the 
U. S. Congress as a Jackson Democrat from 1837 to 1839. He was a U. S. 
Senator from 1847 to 1861. He was author of the Fugitive Slave Law of 
1850. He was appointed Confederate Commissioner to England in 1861, 
serving till 1865. (See art. " Trent Affair.") 

Mason, Jeremiah (1768-1848), was Attorney-General of New Hampshire 
in 1802. He was a Federalist U. S. Senator from New Hampshire from 
1813 to 1817. His reappointment as president of the Portsmouth brancht 
of the U. S. Bank caused dissatisfaction in Jackson's administration, and led! 
to the destruction of the U. S. Bank. He was one of the most vigorous, 
acute and powerful advocates America has produced. 

Mason, John, born in England, died in 1635. He came to Newfound- 
land as Governor in 1616. In 1622 he, with Sir Ferdinando Gorges^ 
obtained a grant of the territory from the Merrimac to the Kennebec. Ini 
1629 1^^ secured New Hampshire (Laconia) as a separate grant. 

Mason, John (1600-1672), came to America from England in 1630. He 
was one of the founders of Windsor, Conn., in 1635. He successfully con- 
ducted the Pequot War in 1637. He was major of the Connecticut forces 
from 1637 to 1672, and Deputy-Governor of Connecticut from 1660 to 1670- 
He published " Relation of Trouble by the Indians." 

Mason, John Y. (1799-1859), represented Virginia in Congress as a Dem- 
ocrat from 1 83 1 to 1837. He was Secretary of the Navy in Tyler's Cabinet 
from 1844 to 1845, Attorney-General in Polk's from 1845 to 1846, and 
Secretary of the Navy from 1846 to 1849. ^^ '^^^ Minister to France from 
1854 to 1859, and joined with Buchanan and Soule in the Ostend Manifesto^ 

Mason and Dixon's Line, the boundary line between Pennsylvania an<$ 
Marvland, so called from the names of the two English surveyors, Charles 
Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, who were employed by William Penn and Lord 
Baltimore to mark it off in 1766, after the settlement of the case of Penra 
vs. Baltimore. Mason and Dixon marked the line with boundary posts^ 
having on one side the arms of Penn and on the other those of Baltimore. 
The line was famous as the line between free States and slave States. 

Massachusetts derives its name from an Indian word meaning the " great 
hills," /. <^., the Blue Hills near Boston. The first settlement made by Gosnold 
on Cutty hunk, in 1602, was a failure. The first permanent settlement was 
made (1620) at Plymouth, by 120 English Independents from Leyden. The 
colonists who came over in the "Mayflower" intended to found a settlement 
in Northern Virginia, and had obtained a charter from the London Company 
for that purpose. When forced to land in Massachusetts they signed the 
famous compact on board the " Mayflower," in which they agreed to abide 
by such laws as should be passed for the welfare of the colony. Their 



404 Dictionary of United States History. 

leaders were John Carver and William Bradford. For four years they strug- 
gled under the disadvantage of a system of communism. In 1627, the colo- 
nists purchased the financial interest of the London merchants who had 
advanced money for the enterprise. The colony was never able to obtain a 
charter from the king because of its avowed opposition to the Church of 
England, and in 1691 it was incorporated with Massachusetts Bay colony. 
The foundation of the latter colony was laid by some Dorchester merchants, 
who in 1623 inade a settlement on Cape Ann for trading purposes. In 1626 
this settlement was moved to Salem by Conant. Two years later certain 
leading Puritans of England obtained a grant from the Plymouth Company 
for the land from three miles south of the Charles River to three miles north 
of the Merrimac, and westward to the " South Sea." Organizing ostensibly 
as a trading company, they obtained a charter from Charles I. In 1630 the 
government of the company was moved to America, and one thousand con- 
forming Puritans came over under Winthrop, Dudley, Higginson and Skel- 
ton, and founded Charlestown, Cambridge, Watertown, Roxbury and Boston. 
None but church members were allowed to vote. In 1631, upon the refusal 
of Watertown to pay a tax, because of no representation, the House of Rep- 
resentatives was formed of two members from each town. In 1644, the Gen- 
eral Court became bicameral. Massachusetts prepared to resist by force an 
attack from England on her charter in 1634. Har\-ard College was founded 
(1636), and Roger Williams banished from the colony for preaching against 
the connection of church and State. In 1637 occurred the trouble with 
Anne Hutchinson and the Antinomians. In the same year the Pequods of 
Connecticut were crushed. In 1641 the first body of statutes, called the 
" Body of Liberties," was adopted. Massachusetts joined the New England 
confederation in 1643. ■'■^ 1648 the Cambridge platform was formulated, 
and four years later a colonial mint was established. The first Quakers 
arrived in Boston in 1656, and a law was soon passed against "Quakers and 
Ranters." In 1674 King Philip's War broke out. The charter was revoked 
in 1684, and two years later Andros was sent over as royal Governor. A 
new charter was obtained in 1 691, by which the religious qualification was 
abolished and the colony made a royal province, its Governor to be appointed 
by the crown. Witchcraft appeared at Salem and twenty persons were exe- 
cuted as witches in 1692. Massachusetts aided England in the French and 
Indian Wars, by capturing Port Royal in 1690, and Louisbourg in 1745. The 
boundary line with New Hampshire was settled in 1737. From 1765 to 
1776, the history of the State is the history of the American Revolution. 
1765: Stamp Act passed and Massachusetts issued a call for the " Stamp-Act 
Congress " to meet in New York. 1768: English troops were sent to Bos- 
ton. 1770: "Boston Massacre." 1773: "Boston Tea-Party," when $100,- 
000 worth of tea was destroyed. 1774: Boston port was closed by the 
English. The colony, being virtually deprived of her charter, organized a 
government of her own. 1775: April 19, battles of Lexington and Concord. 
June 17, battle of Bunker Hill. I\Iassachusetts furnished, all years together, 
92,563 men to the army. In 1780 a new State Constitution was adopted, 
which was drawn up largely by John Adams. By a judicial interpretation 
of the preamble of this Constitution, the institution of slavery was destroyed. 
In 1786 occurred Shay's Rebellion at Worcester and Springfield. A severe 



Dictionary of United States History. 405 

struggle took place over the adoption of the Federal Constitution, which was 
finally adopted February 6, 1788, by a vote of 187 to 168. The opponents 
of the Constitution were led by S. Adams, Hancock and Gerry. Its advo- 
cates were Rufus King, Theophilus Parsons and Fisher Ames. The State was 
usually kept Federalist until 1823 by the ability of the Federalist leaders 
and her large commercial interests, injured by the foreign policy of the 
Democrats. The Embargo Act caused great indignation in the State. It 
was opposed to the War of 181 2, and in 1814 sent representatives to the 
Hartford Convention. In 1820 Maine became a separate State. In 1823 
the Democrats came into power permanently, and the Federalists became 
extinct. From this time Massachusetts allied herself with Pennsylvania, 
Kentucky, Louisiana and other States in the support of a protective tariff. 
This change was caused by the growth of her manufacturing industries. In 
1833 the Congregationalist church was dis-established. Davis, a Whig, was 
elected Governor in 1834. In 1839 Morton was elected Governor by the 
Democrats by a majority of two. The State cast a large vote for the candi- 
dates of the Liberty party in 1844 and 1845, and for those of the Free-Soil 
party in 1848 and 1849. In 1850, by a coalition of Democrats and Free- 
Soilers, the latter secured the election of Charles Sumner as U. S. Senator. 
The Republicans controlled the State from 1856 to 1874. In 1878 B. F. 
Butler was elected Governor by the discontented Democrats and the Green- 
back party. The Democrats elected the Governor in the years 1882, 1890, 
1 89 1 and 1892. The State is uniformly Republican in Presidential elec- 
tions. The population of Massachusetts in 1790 was 378,787; in 1840, 
737)699; ill 1890, 2,238,943. History by Barry. 

Massachusetts Company. On March 19, 1628, there was granted to six 
patentees, of whom John Humphrey and John Endicott were destined to be 
most prominent, territory extending from the Atlantic to the Western Ocean, 
and in width from a line running three miles north of the Merrimac to one 
running three miles south of the Charles. This was the Massachusetts Bay 
Company. Endicott was sent over the same year and effected a settlement 
at Naumkeag, or Salem, September 6. March 4, 1629, a charter was granted 
to the Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay, and under this instru- 
ment Massachusetts conducted her affairs for fifty-five years. The colony 
was ruled by the Governor and thirteen councillors. The charter was trans- 
ferred from England to America with Winthrop. 

Massachusetts Historical Society, the fiist historical association estab- 
lished in the United States. It was organized at Boston in 1791 "to collect, 
preserve and communicate materials for a complete history of the country." 
It has published fifty-six volumes of " Collections " and twenty-one of " Pro- 
ceedings," upon a great variety of historical subjects. Since the establish- 
ment of this association, students of history in many of the other States 
have founded similar societies. 

Massachusetts Indians, at the time of the English settlement of the 
State, were composed of five Algonquin tribes, recently decimated by pesti- 
lence. The Nipmucks occupied central Massachusetts, the Pennacooks what 
is now New Hampshire, the Massachusetts the lands around Massachusetts 



4o6 Dictionary of United States History. 

Bay, the Nausets Cape Cod, while the Pokanokets lived in the south- 
eastern portion of the State. All except the Nausets were friendly to the 
settlers, and this tribe entered into a peace with the Plymouth colonists. 
Missions were begun on Martha's Vineyard in 1644, and in 1651 Indian con- 
verts under John Eliot were gathered at Natick. The converts were termed 
Praying Indians. At length discontent arose which in 1675 led to King 
Philip's War. 

" Massachusetts Spy," founded at Boston, August i, 1770. This news- 
paper was established to support the Whig element in the New England 
colonies in opposition to the Boston Chronicle^ which favored the British 
Government. It was edited by Isaiah Thomas, and was suspended in six 
xnonths for a time, but was begun again and removed to Worcester. Con- 
tributions were at first made by members of both political parties, but its 
sympathies were so evidently revolutionary that the royalist writers with- 
drew. Notable among the contributions concerning political questions were 
those signed " Centinel," " Leonidas " and " Mucius Scsevola." It is still 
published daily and weekly. 

Massasoit (1580 ?-i66o), chief of the Wampanoag Indians, made a treaty 
<oi peace and mutual protection with the Plymouth colony in 1621, which 
■was kept for over fifty years. He resided in what is now the town of 
Warren, R. I. He was always friendly to the colonists, and warned them 
of intended Indian attacks. He was father of King Philip. 

Mather, Cotton (1663-1728), graduated from Harvard before he was six- 
teen years old. He was active in urging on the witchcraft persecutions. 
He wrote much against intemperance, and in every way aimed at being use- 
ful to society, but was exceedingly meddlesome, pedantic and conceited. 
He was probably the most learned man in America at the time in which he 
lived, having a wide acquaintance with books and foreign languages. His 
works number 382. The chief is his " Magnalia Christi Americana," a 
church history of New England, published in 1702. 

Mather, Increase (1639-1723), was pastor of the North Church, Boston, 
from 1664 till his death. He was prominent both in church and State. He 
"was opposed to the " half-way covenant," and secured the summoning of the 
synods of 1679 and 1680. He zealously opposed the surrender of the Massa- 
chusetts charter to Charles II. in 1683, and secured a new charter for the 
colony in 1688. He was president of Harvard College from 1685 to 1701. 
He wrote a life of Reverend Richard Mather, " A Histoiy of the War with 
the Indians," and many other works. 

Mather, Richard (1596-1669), came to Massachusetts from England in 
1635. He was pastor of the church in Dorchester from 1636 till his death. 
He drew up the celebrated " Cambridge Platform " of church discipline, 
aided in making the New England version of the Psalms, and published an 
elaborate defence of the New England churches. He was an able and a 
powerful preacher. 

Matthews, Stanley (1824-1889), commanded a brigade at Murfreesboro, 
Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain in the Civil War. He represented 



Dictionary of United States History. 407 

Ohio in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1877 to 1879. He was a 
Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 1881 to 18S9. 

Maurepas, Jean F. P., Comte de (1701-1781), was French Minister of 
State from 1738 to 1749 and from 1774 to 1781. He aided in negotiating 
the treaty of alliance with the United States in 1778. 

Maury, Matthew F. (1806-1873), naval officer, wrote a famous "Physi- 
cal Geography of the Seas." In 1861 he commanded in the Confederate 
navy, and afterward was Confederate Commissioner in Europe. 

Maxey, Samuel B., bom in 1825, serv^ed during the Mexican War, and 
was made major-general in the Confederate sei-vice. He represented Texas 
in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat, from 1875 to 1887. Died 1895. 

Maximilian, (Ferdinand Max. Joseph) (1832-1867), Archduke of Austria, 
became prominent for his enlightened administration of the Lombardo- 
Venetian kingdom. In 1863 France called an assembly of notables in 
Mexico, which approved a monarchical form of government and offered the 
crown of Mexico to Maximilian. He became emperor in 1864, but his 
reign was disturbed by a powerful republican faction. He was able to main- 
tain his position only by aid of French troops, which were withdrawn at 
the solicitation of the United States. Maximilian was soon afterward deposed 
and shot. 

" Mayflower " Compact, the compact made by the Pilgrim Fathers in the 
cabin of the "Mayflower," in Provincetown harbor, November 11, 1620, 
whereby, before landing, they bound themselves into a " civil body politic," 
and promised obedience to the laws they should make as such. 

Maynard, Horace (1814-1882), represented Tennessee in the U. S. Con- 
gress as an American and Republican from 1857 to 1863 and from 1866 to 
1875. He was Minister to Russia from 1875 to 1880. He was Postmaster- 
General in Hayes' Cabinet from 1880 to 1881. 

Mazzei Letter, a private business letter written by Thomas Jefferson to 
an Italian named Mazzei in 1796. The paragraph therein contained, to the 
effect that " an Anglican monarchical aristocratical party " had sprung up in 
America, whose avowed object was " to draw over us the substance, as they 
had already done the forms, of the British Government," did much toward 
arousing animosity against Jefferson, when the letter became public property 
tn 1797. It had been translated into Italian, then into French, and finally 
appeared in an English paper. An allusion in it to men who had been 
" Samsons in the field and Solomons in the council " was construed as an 
attack on Washington. 

Meade, George Gordon (1815-1872), a Federal general in the Civil War, 
graduated at West Point in 1835, fought in the Mexican War and against 
the Seminoles, and was busy in the surveying department. Soon after the 
Rebellion had commenced, he was assigned to a brigade in the Army of the 
Potomac, was wounded in the Seven Days' battles, and fought at the second 
battle of Bull Run. At Antietam and Fredericksburg he commanded a 
division, and at Chancellorsville a corps. At the end of June, 1863, Meade 



• 



4oS Dictionary of United States History. 

was appointed to supersede Hooker in command of the Army of the 
Potomac; Lee's great invasion of the North was in progress, and Meade was 
near Frederick. Almost immediately afterward occurred the battle of 
Gettysburg (which see). The chief credit for this decisive Union victory is 
variously claimed for the commander-in-chief, for Hancock, Howard, Rey- 
nolds and other corps commanders; Meade arrived on the battlefield about 
noon of the second day. He was made brigadier-general in the regular 
army, and the next year major-general. Under Grant in 1864-65 he was in 
immediate charge of the Army of the Potomac, and after the war held com- 
mand of different departments. 

Meagher, Thomas F. (1823-1867), was banished from Ireland in 1849 
for political reasons, and came to the United States iu 1852. He commanded 
a New York brigade at Manassas, Antietam and Fredericksburg. 

Mechanicsville, Va., a battle of the Civil War occurring June 26, 1862, 
during McClellan's attempted approach to Richmond. Lee crossed the 
Chickahominy with 35,000 Confederates, intending to join Jackson's 25,000 
troops and demolish Porter's command of 20,000 of McClellan's troops 
and cut off the latter's communications with his base. Jackson was for 
once late in arriving, and Richmond was for a time in considerable danger. 
A. P. Hill's division advanced first and encountered at Mechanicsville a small 
force of Confederates, who were dispersed. Just beyond the town McCall 
was drawn up with a strong force on Beaver Dam Creek. The Confederates 
attempted to turn IMcCall's flanks, but were repulsed with great loss each 
time. 

Mecklenburg Declaration. It has been vigorously affirmed and vigor- 
ously denied that, on May 20, 1775, a convention of the inhabitants of 
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, passed resolutions in favor of inde- 
pendence from Great Britain, and actually declaring the independence of 
Mecklenburg County. The declaration first became generally known in 
1818. It was alleged, however, that the original documents were destroyed 
by fire in 1800. The probability is that the story arises from action taken 
on May 31, 1775, when resolutions were passed importing resistance to the 
royal governor, but not independence. 

Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Mecklenburg-Schwerin acceded to the com- 
mercial treaty between the United States and Hanover in 1846 and to the 
German extradition treaty in 1853. 

Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Mecklenburg-Strelitz acceded to the extradition 
treaty between Germany and the United States in 1853. 

Medary, Samuel (1801-1864), founded the Ohio States7iian, a powerful 
Democratic paper, and edited it until 1858. He is said to have originated 
the campaign cry, " Fifty-four forty or fight." 

Mediterranean Fund. In 1801-02 the wars with the Barbary pirates 
necessitated a slight increase in import duties, and the money thus accruing 
was termed the " IMediterranean Fund." This was made a basis for the 
increase of protection in the tariff levied in 1816. 








•w 

%■ 




Thaddeus Stevens 



STATESMEN OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD. 

Horace Greeley. 



Horatio Seymour. 

B. F. Wade. 



Edwin M. Stanton. 



Henry Wilsnn. 



Thurlow Weed. 
Wnn. H. Seward. 



Dictionary of United States History. 409 

Meigs, Montgomery C, born in 181 6, was superintending engineer in 
the construction of Forts Wayne, Porter, Niagara, Ontario and Montgomery. 
He was quartermaster-general of the U. S. anny from 1861 to 1882, when 
he retired. 

Meigs, Return Jonathan (i 734-1823), was a major in Arnold's expedition 
to Quebec in 1775. At Sag Harbor in 1777 he took ninety prisoners, 
destroyed twelve ships and much forage without the loss of a man. He 
commanded a regiment at vStony Point. 

Meigs, Return Jonathan, Jr. (i 765-1825), represented Ohio in the U. S. 
Senate as a Democrat from 1809 to 1810. He was Governor of Ohio from 
1810 to 1814. He was Postmaster-General from 1814 to 1823 ^'^ the Cabi- 
nets of Madison and Monroe. 

Meigs, Fort (War of 181 2). After the massacre at the River Raisin, the 
main body of Americans entrenched themselves on the Maumee, building the 
fort. Here they were besieged, April 26, 1813, by more than 2000 British 
and Indians, commanded by General Procter and the chief Tecumtha. On 
May 5 General Clay arrived with reinforcements for the Americans. Of 
these 800 attacked the British batteries, and the rest tried to cut their way 
through the enemy. The batteries were taken, but recaptured by the British, 
the Americans losing all of the 800 but 170 who escaped to Fort Meigs. 
The other detachment, aided by timely sorties from the fort, defeated the 
force opposed to them and thus broke up the siege. The Indian allies 
deserted the British, who returned to Canada. 

Melville, George W., born in 1841, became chief engineer of the De 
Long Arctic expedition in 1879, and commanded the only party which sur- 
vived the expedition. He was made a cliief engineer in the U. S. navy in 1881. 

Melville, Herman (1819-1891), deserted from a whaling vessel in the 
Marquesas Islands, and spent several months among the T^'pees. His novels 
and accounts of his adventures were very popular. 

Memminger, Charles G. (i 803-1 888), born in Germany, settled in South 
Carolina. He was Secretary of the Treasury in the government of the Con- 
federate States. 

Memphis, Tenn., was laid out as a village in 1820 and incorporated 
in 1 83 1. During the Civil War it was early held by the Confederates with 
a fleet of eight vessels under Commodore Montgonier)-. It was rendered 
defenceless and captured by the Federals June 6, 1862. Commodore Davis 
left Fort Pillow June 4, with nine Union vessels, and proceeded at once to 
Memphis, before which the Confederate fleet lay. An attack upon these 
ships was immediately begun. Four ram-boats under the Union commander, 
Ellet, joined Da\-is and did much toward destro)-ing the Confederate fleet. 
Several of the Confederate ships had their boilers shot through and their 
crews scalded to death. Their fleet was utterly demolished. During 1870-80 
the city was ravaged by yellow fever. 

Menendez de Avile's, Pedro (d. 1574), Spanish commander, in 1565 
founded St. Augustine, Fla., and destroyed the French Huguenot settlement 
at Port Royal. 



41 o Dictionary of United States History. 

Mennonites, a sect that sprang up in Holland and Germany about the 
time of the Reformation, through the influence of Simon Menno. In doc- 
trine they are allied to the Baptists. Members of this body came to this 
country as early as 1683, and by invitation of William Penn settled in 
Pennsylvania. In 1727 they published a Confession of Faith. In this 
couutrj^ there are several varieties of Mennonites, differing mainly in exter- 
nals, and numbering in all about 60,000 members. 

Menomonees, a tribe of Algonquin Indians, were unfriendly to the Eng- 
lish, but took sides against the colonists during the Revolution. In 181 2 
also they allied themselves with the British, taking part in several engage- 
ments. Treaties were made in 1817, 1825, and 1827. In 1831 they began 
to cede their lands around Green Bay and Lake Michigan. They aided the 
Government in the Sac and Fox War and in the Rebellion. 

Mercer, Hugh (i720?-i777), came to America from Scotland in 1747. He 
served in the French and Indian War. He was chosen brigadier-general in 
1776, with command of the flying camp. He commanded a column at 
Trenton and led the advance at Princeton, where he was surrounded by the 
British and fought to the death rather than surrender. 

Mercer, John F. (1759-1821), served during the Revolution. He rep- 
resented Virginia in the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1785. He was a 
U. S. Congressman from Maryland from 1792 to 1794, and Governor of Mary- 
land from 1 801 to 1803. 

Mercer, Fort, Capture of, November, 1777. Fort Mercer, on the Jersey 
shore of the Delaware, below Philadelphia, with Fort MiflJin opposite, com- 
manded the stream. To ensure his supplies, Howe attempted to carry the 
forts October 22. He lost 400 Hessian troops and their commander, Donop; 
American loss, thirty-seven. After a month's hard work, assisted by 6000 
men from New York, he carried the works and wrested control of the Dela- 
ware from the Americans. 

Merchant Marine. In early colonial times American shipbuilders and 
merchants became such dangerous commercial competitors, from the superi- 
ority of their ships and the greater efiiciency of their sailors, that the British 
Government, by the Navigation Acts, beginning in 1645, prohibited importa- 
tion into the colonies except in English or colonial-built vessels. While the 
Navigation Acts restricted trade, they fostered shipbuilding. The merchant 
marine continued to thrive after the Revolution. Between 1789 and 1797 
the registered tonnage increased 38,^ per cent, owing chiefly to the general 
state of war in Europe and the consequent increase in carrying trade. From 
1837 to 1847 the tonnage rose from 810,000 to 1,241,000, to 2,268,000 in 
1857, and culminated with 2,496,000 tons in 1861. The maximum tonnage 
of the United States at any one time registered and enrolled (or engaged in 
foreign and domestic trade), and in the fisheries, was in 1861, reaching 
5,539,813 tons. It thus nearly equaled the tonnage of the whole of the rest 
of the maritime world, excepting Great Britain, whose tonnage was slightly 
greater. But since this time, from various causes, the American merchant 
marine service has declined until it is now wholly insignificant. This is 



Dictionary of United States HistorV. 411 

due largely to the fact that, when iron and steam vessels began to be used, 
the facilities for constructing them were limited, and the navigation laws 
prohibited merchants from taking advantage of British superiority in con- 
struction. Income taxes and heavy taxes on gross receipts, especially since 
the Civil War, have greatly handicapped shipowners. The coastwise trade, 
too, has fallen largely into the hands of foreigners. 

Meredith, \Villiam M. (1799-1873), was Secretary of the Treasury in 
Taylor's Cabinet from 1849 ^° ^^5'^- He was Attorney-General of Pennsyl- 
vania from 1 86 1 to 1867, and president of the Pennsylvania Constitutional 
Convention of 1873. 

Merry Mount, a settlement on Massachusetts Bay instituted by Thomas 
Morton and a band of unruly followers shortly after the landing of the Pil- 
grims (1625). In 1628 John Endicott, one of the six patentees of the Bay 
colony, visited the Merry Mount settlement and broke it up by force, "caused 
their May-pole to be cut down, rebuked them for their profaneness, admon- 
ished them to look there should be better walking." Morton was in England 
at that time. 

Merryman's Case, a case before the U. S. Supreme Court. The petitioner 
was arrested at his home in Maryland, in 1861, for treason, by order of a 
major-general of the National army. He was imprisoned at Fort McHenry, 
Baltimore. Chief Justice Taney, of the Supreme Court of the United States, 
granted a writ of habeas corpus^ which the officer in charge at Fort McHenry 
refused to execute, on the ground that the President had suspended the writ 
of habeas corpus. The majority of the court decided that no such power was 
vested in the President, Congress alone having such privilege; that a military 
officer has no right to arrest a person not subject to the rules and articles of 
war, except in the aid of judicial authority. 

Message, a written communication to Congress by the President. Regular 
messages are sent at the opening of each session of Congress; special mes- 
sages, whenever an occasion for them arises. During the administrations of 
Washington and John Adams the messages were delivered orally by the 
President to the two Houses assembled together. From Jefferson's time they 
have been delivered in writing through the President's private secretar>', and 
then printed for distribution. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. This denomination first assumed its 
present name at the conference held 1784. Previous to that time the scat- 
tered followers of this belief had met in societies., like those established in 
Great Britain by Rev. John Wesley. At the same conference the church 
was organized for missionary and pioneer work under charge of bishops sent 
to this country by Mr. Wesley, who was recognized as the spiritual father of 
the denomination. Its success during the next few years was remarkable. 
The zeal and energy of its preachers and the work of the lay members 
brought about within sixteen years an increase of membership and preachers 
almost fourfold. This church was the first officially to acknowledge the 
U. S. Constitution, and was very active in every anti-slavery movement. 
The first session of its general conference was held in 181 2, at which time 
the membership was about 195,000. In 1843 the anti-slavery party in the 



412 Dictionary of United States History. 

church withdrew in dissatisfaction and founded the Wesleyan Methodist 
connection. Two years later the Southern Methodists, dissatisfied in their 
turn, seceded and formed the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The 
Northern church, however, maintained its power and now has one and a half 
million members. In literature, education and mission work it has always 
displayed great energ)'. In 1S90 it numbered 2,240,000 members. 

Methodist Episcopal Church South. This body was identified with the 
main ]\Iethodist body till the slavery question caused a secession. The rules 
of the church forbade any preacher to own slaves. This especially irritated 
the South, and when in 1844 Bishop Andrews, of Georgia, came into possession 
of slaves by marriage, the question was so bitterly discussed that the year 
following the Southern churches seceded with nearly a half million mem- 
bers. The war greatly hindered the progress of the new church, but since 
that time it has made rapid progress, and has greatly aided in missionary 
work in the border States and destitute parts of the South. Number of 
members in 1890, 1,210,000. 

Methodist Protestant Church is the name assumed by a body that 
seceded from the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1830. The sect differs 
from its parent church mainly in ecclesiastical government. They abolish 
the episcopal office and admit the laity to an equal participation with the 
clergy in administration and government. The slavery question divided 
this denomination, and both wings are growing slowly, but now are prac- 
tically one in work and aims. Number of members in 1890, 142,000. 

Metric System. This system was legalized by Act of Congress in July, 
1866; and in 1873 and 1876 appropriations were made for procuring metric 
standards for the States and for the construction and verification of standard 
weights and measures for the custom house and the several States. 

Mexican War, April, 1846, to September, 1847. The cause of the war 
was the revolt of Texas from Mexico and the subsequent annexation of that 
State to the Union in 1845. Not only had Texas revolted, but she claimed 
and carried into the Union with her a far more extended territory than had 
been accorded in the original Mexican arrangements. In November of 
1845, President Polk sent Slidell, a member of Congress from the South, to 
Mexico to treat with President Herrera concerning some indemnity for 
Texas and also to negotiate for California. Slidell was not received, for 
Paredes, the soldier, had succeeded Herrera. Polk at once ordered General 
Zachary Taylor, then commanding the army, to advance through the dis- 
puted territory and take a position on the left bank of the Rio Grande River. 
Here, near Matamoras, April 23, 1846, he was attacked by the Mexicans 
under Arista, and a portion of his forces were captured. While Taylor 
struck Mexico General Kearney marched into New Mexico, conquered the 
whole country, raised the United States flag, and, sending Doniphan to join 
Wool at Chihuahua, he proceeded to California, which was speedily con- 
quered, chiefly through the efforts of Lieutenant Fremont. Scott now 
assumed command of the army in Mexico, but Taylor continued to com- 
mand in the North. Taylor fortified himself at Corpus Christi for a time in 
the defence of Texas, but later advanced into the heart of Mexico, leaving 



Dictionary of United States History. 413 

a garrison at Fort Brown opposite Matamoras. This place was afterward 
bravely defended by Major Brown. The battle of Palo Alto was the first 
great battle of the war, occurring May 8, 1846. The Mexicans under 
Ampudia and Arista were defeated. Then followed in quick succession the 
battles of Resaca de la Palma, Buena Vista and a number of lesser fisfhts, 
all disastrous to the Mexican cause. Thus Taylor penetrated into northern 
Mexico. Then Scott landed at Vera Cruz and marched on the Mexican 
capital. Santa Anna, the Mexican general, was badly defeated at the battles 
of Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Churubusco. Finally, General Scott, after 
a series of brilliant victories, marched on the city of Mexico, arriving in 
August, 1847. After detailed operations of siege and bombardment, which 
terminated in the Mexican defeat at Molino del Rey, September 7 and 8, 
and a final scathing bombardment, the capital surrendered September 14, 
thus tenninating the war. The war was plainly one of unjust aggression 
on a minor power, with the object of winning more territory for new slave 
States. 

Mexico. The independence of Mexico was recognized by the United 
States in March, 1822. A treaty of limits was signed in 1828, with addi- 
tional articles in 1831 and 1835 and a commercial treaty in 1831. The war 
of 1846 was caused by Mexico's resentment over the annexation of Texas by 
the United States. After a succession of victories the United States obtained 
in February, 1848, the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, by which Mexico ceded 
California, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico to the United States in con- 
sideration of a payment of $15,000,000 by the United States and the assump- 
tion of $3,000,000 of unsettled claims against Mexico which were paid by 
the U. S. Government in 1851. By the Gadsden Treaty of 1853 '^ ^^^^ 
million of square miles of territory were added to the United States, and 
rights of transit over the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. In 1861 an extradition 
treaty was concluded, and in 1868 a naturalization convention and a con- 
vention for the establishment of a claims commission. Claims against 
Mexico were finally allowed to the amount of about $4,000,000, and against 
the United States to the amount of about $150,000. A reciprocity conven- 
tion was concluded in 1883, but is not in operation owing to a failure of the 
necessary legislation. The boundary between Mexico and the United States 
was fixed by the Convention of 1884. 

Mexico, City of. By the fights of Contreras, Chinubusco, Molino del Rey 
and Chapultepec, Scott's forces approached closer and closer to the capital. 
As a sequel of the last-named fight, he was in po.ssession of two of the gates 
on the evening of September 13, 1847. Next morning, the oflScials of the 
republic having fled, the authorities of the city surrendered unconditionally. 
Scott made a triumphal entry into the city, unopposed by any organized 
resistance. 

Miantonomo, sachem of the Narragansett Indians, died in 1643. He con- 
cluded an alliance with Massachusetts in 1636 and aided in the Pequot War. 
He deeded the present site of Providence to Roger Williams. 

Michigan, a State of the American Union, was fonned from the North- 
. west Territorj'. It was first explored and settled by the French. Marquette 



414 Dictionary of United States History. 

in 1668 established a mission at Sault Ste. Marie. In 1701 Detroit was 
founded. In 1763 the French surrendered their claims to the English, who 
in 1783 surrendered it to the United States, although actual possession was 
not given until 1796. In 1787 Michigan was included in the Northwest 
Territory which was organized by the ordinance of that year. In 1805 it 
was created a separate territory. During the War of 181 2 the inhabitants 
suffered from the English. A boundary dispute with Ohio was settled in 
favor of that State by the Act of Congress of 1836, which provided for the 
admission of Michigan. The inhabitants accepted the conditions, and 
Michigan became a State Januar>' 26, 1837. Except in the year 1840 the 
State was Democratic until 1856, since which time it has been Republican 
in Presidential elections. The "Maine Liquor Law" was passed in 1855 
and repealed in 1875. In 1840 Michigan had a population of 212,267, in 
1890 2,093,889. The present Constitution was made in 1850. History by 
Cooley. 

Michigan, Historical Society of, founded in 1874. It published three 
volumes of " Pioneer Collections," between 1877 and 1880. 

Michigan, University of, Ann Arbor. Its founding is due to grants of 
land made by Congress. First opened to students 1842. It was the first 
State university to attain high distinction. Its school of medicine was 
established in 1850, its law school in 1859, its school of homoeopathy in 1875. 

Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vt., was chartered in 1800, by Congre- 
gationalists. 

Middleton, Arthur (1742-1787), aided in framing the South Carolina 
Constitution in 1776. He represented South Carolina in the Continental 
Congress from 1776 to 1778, and signed the Declaration of Independence. 
He served during the Revolutionary War, and was a member of the Conti- 
nental Congress from 1781 to 1783. He was author of several influential 
political essays signed " Andrew Marvell." 

Midnight Appointments, official appointments of sixteen circuit judges 
and other inferior officers made by John Adams during the last three weeks 
of his Presidential term, many of the papers being signed just before mid- 
night of March 3, 1801. These appointments were made in a spirit of pique 
at Jefferson's success, and the officers chosen were in every instance Federal- 
ists, bitterly opposed to Jefferson's principles. 

Mifflin, Thomas (i 744-1 800), had served in the Pennsylvania Legislature 
before he entered the first Continental Congress. In the war he was at first 
aide-de-camp to Washington, and then quartermaster-general. He covered 
the retreat of the army in the evacuation of Brooklyn in 1776, and soon 
afterward was appointed major-general and a member of the Board of War. 
With Conway and Gates he was associated in the intrigues against Washing- 
ton, and in 1778 he was retired from the office of quartermaster-general. 
He was president of Congress in 1783, member of the Federal Convention 
of 1787, and a signer of the Constitution. He was Governor of Pennsylvania 
from 1790 to 1799. 



Dictionary of United States History. 415 

Mifflin, Fort. Fort Mifflin, on an island in the Delaware and, with Fort 
Mercer, commanding the stream, was captured by the British in the latter 
part of November, 1777. (See Mercer, Fort.) 

Milan Decree, a decree issued by Napoleon December 7, 1807, in which 
he declared to be " denationalized," whether found in Continental ports or on 
the high seas, any vessel which should submit to search by a British vessel, 
or should touch or set sail for or from Great Britain or her colonies. This 
v/as in retort to the British Orders in Council of November 11, 1807, which 
declared, among their provisions, any vessel and cargo good prize if it carried 
a French consular certificate of the origin of the cargo. 

Mileage. The First Congress provided that each member should receive, 
beside his pay, six dollars for each twenty miles traveled in going and 
returning. In 181 8 this was raised to eight dollars. An act of 1856 limited 
this to two sessions. In 1866, the railroad having long since come in, the 
mileage was reduced to twenty cents a mile. 

Miles, Nelson A., born in 1839, was distinguished at Fair Oaks and 
Malvern, commanded a brigade at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Freder- 
icksburg. He has since been successful in the Western Indian campaigns, 
and in 1890 became a major-general and in September, 1895, commander-in- 
chief of U. S. Army. 

Military Academy. This academy was established at West Point, in New 
York State, in 1802, and is connected with and under the supervision of the 
National War Department. At first provision was made for only ten cadets, 
but in 1 81 2 Congress authorized provision for 250. The present corps of 
cadets consists of one from each Congressional district, one from each terri- 
tory, one from the District of Columbia and ten from the United States at 
large. Most of the leading generals of the Civil War, on both sides, were 
graduates of West Point. 

Militia. The Constitution empowers Congress to " provide for calling forth 
the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and 
repel invasions." In 1792 an act was passed " to provide for the national 
defence by establishing a uniform militia throughout the United States," by 
the enrollment of " every free able-bodied white male citizen," between the 
ages of eighteen and forty-five. The Act of March 2, 1867, permitted the 
enrolling of negroes. In 1862, the length of time for which the militia 
might be called out was fixed at nine months. The militia has been called 
out three times: in 1794, at the time of the Whisky Insurrection in Penn- 
sylvania; during the War of 1812, and in 1861 during the Civil War. 

Mill at Newport, an ancient stone structure at Newport, R. I. When 
and by whom it was constructed is still a disputed question. Former 
antiquarians have proclaimed it the work of Northmen of the eleventh cen- 
tury. But more recent investigations have quite satisfactorily proved it to 
have been a windmill erected by Governor Arnold, of Rhode Island, some 
time between 1670 and 1680. The design corresponds to that of a mill in 
Chesterton, England. 

Mill Springs, or Fishing Creek, Ky. Here General Crittenden, com- 
manding 5000 Confederates, was defeated by General Thomas and a Union 



4i6 Dictionary of United States History. 

army of 8000, January- 19, 1862. Crittenden planned a night attack, 
wliich miscarried, owing to Thomas' strong position. The Confederates 
made a desperate charge, but were repulsed by an Ohio regiment and took 
refuge in an intrenched camp. General Zollicoffer, Confederate, was killed. 

Mill-boy of the Slashes, a designation applied to Henry Clay, who was 
born in humble circumstances in the portion of Hanover County, Virginia, 
known as the " Slashes," and, like other farm-boys, used to ride to mill. 

Miller, Cincinnatus H. (Joaquin), born in 1841, was a Western adventurer 
until 1866, when he became judge of Grant County, Ore., and served till 
1870. He has published several poetical, and prose works, among them 
" Songs of the Sierras." 

Miller, James (1776-1851), entered the army as major in 1810. He com- 
manded at Browustown in 181 2, and fought at Fort George, Chippewa and 
Lundy's Lane. He was Governor of Arkansas from 1819 to 1825. 

Miller, Samuel F. (1816-1890), was an ardent anti-slavery advocate and a 
Republican leader in Iowa. He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court 
from 1862 to 1890, and was regarded by many as its leading member. 

Miller, Warner, born in 1838, was a member of the New York Legisla- 
ture from 1874 to 1878. He represented New York in the U. S. Congress 
as a Republican from 1878 to 1881, and in the Senate from 1881 to 1887. 

Miller, William (1782-1849), born in Massachusetts, served on the Cana- 
dian frontier in 181 2. He proclaimed that the coming of Christ would 
occur in 1843, and founded the sect of " Millerites," or " Adventists." 

Miller, William H. H., bom in 1841, became a law-partner with General 
B. Harrison in 1874. He was Attorney-General in Harrison's Cabinet from 
1889 to 1893. 

Milligan's Case, a case decided by the U. S. Supreme Court in 1866. 
This case involved the right of a citizen to demand a writ of habeas corpus 
under particular circumstances. In October, 1864, during the Civil War, 
Milligan was brought before a military commission convened at Indianapolis 
by General Hovey. He was tried and sentenced to death for participation 
in rebellious schemes. By the Habeas Corpus Act of Congress, 1863, lists 
were to be furnished in each State of persons suspected of violating national 
laws. But any such persons, arrested and no indictment found against them 
by the Circuit Court, should be freed on petition verified by oath. Milligan 
was not indicted by the Circuit Court. He objected to the authority of the 
military commission and sued for a writ of habeas corpus in the Circuit Court. 
There was a division of opinion and the case came before the Supreme Court 
in 1866. That body decided that the writ should be issued and the prisoner 
discharged. Regarding the military commission, it was maintained that 
such power of erecting military jurisdictions remote from the seat of war was 
not vested in Congress, and that it could not be exercised in this particular 
case; that the prisoner, a civilian, was exempt from the laws of war and 
could only be tried by a jury, and finally, that the writ of habeas corpus 
could not be suspended constitutionally, though the privilege of that writ 
mig-ht be. 



Dictionary of United States History. 417 

Milliken's Bend, La. In this engagement of the Civil War, a colored 
regiment which lay in intrenchments commanded by the Union General 
Dennis, was destroyed, June 6 and 7, 1863, by 2500 Confederates led by 
Henry McCulloch. 

Mills, Robert (1781-1855), of South Carolina, was architect of the Gen- 
eral Post-Office, Treasury and Patent-Office buildings at Washington. He 
made the original design of the Washington Monument. 

Mills, Roger Q., born in 1832, was a member of the Te.xas Legislature 
in 1859 and i860. He represented Texas in the U. S. Congress as a Demo- 
crat from 1873 to 1892, when he was elected to the U. S. Senate. When 
chairman of the Ways and Means Committee from 1887 to 1889, he drafted 
the Mills bill, making marked reductions in the tariffi 

Milwaukee, Wis., dates its development from 1833, before which time 
it was known only as an Indian trading post, occupied by Solomon Juneau, 
who is generally regarded as the founder of the city. He settled there 
in 1818. 

Mims, Fort, Ala., thirty-five miles above Mobile, on the Alabama River. 
August 21, 1813, this fort, then held by some 500 men, women and children, 
whites, half-breeds, Indians and negroes, and commanded by two half-breeds, 
Beasley and Bailey, was attacked by 800 Creek warriors, led by McQueen 
and Weathersford, two half-breeds. The fort was completely taken by sur- 
prise and could offer little resistance. Beasley and Bailey and over 200 
others were scalped, but the negroes were saved for slaves. 

Mining. The early land grants to corporations and individuals reserved a 
certain per cent of all minerals which might be discovered therein, to the 
crown. The Congress of the Confederation also passed a law to a somewhat 
similar effect. By an Act of 1807 the President was authorized to lease lands 
containing minerals, but this method was found ineffectual because of the 
immense number of illegal entries. This was especially noticeable in the 
Lake Superior copper district. The Acts of 1846 and 1847 authorized the 
sale of mineral lands in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan 
and granted the right of pre-emption, though not on the same basis as in the 
case of non-mineral public lands. In 1847-48 the discovery of gold in .Cali- 
fornia caused great excitement. Thousands of miners entered upon the 
public lands and took the Government so by surprise that during twenty 
years they remained in undisturbed possession. Gold mining began in 
Arizona in 1850, in Oregon in 1852, in Colorado in 1859, in Idaho and 
Montana in i860. The first mining was the " gulch " and " placer," and 
these " placer " ininers adopted regulations of their own which afterward 
were recognized b)^ the Government as ruling the distribution of claims, so 
long as they did not interfere with the Government requirements. A great 
many laws have been passed to govern the distribution of mines and mining 
lands. This distribution is now ruled by the ordinary common-law right to 
the surface and all beneath it, phis a certain addition and minus a certain 
deduction, the addition being the right of the locator to follow veins of 
which his land contains the apex, downward, between the end planes of his 
27 



41 8 Dictionary of United States History. 

location, into his neighbor's land; and the deduction being a similar right 
possessed by the adjoining neighbor. 

Mining District. In 1849 the great rush for the mineral belts of the 
Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains occurred. In 1866 there were 500 
organized districts in California, 200 in Nevada, 100 each in Arizona, Idaho 
and Oregon. These districts were created and organized by "all the free- 
men of the camp," who elected officers and clothed them with authority to 
enforce the laws they ordained. These laws were, as a rule, obeyed in the 
strictest sense. 

Minisink, N. Y. During 1779 constant raids were made by the British 
and Indians along the border settlements of New York. On the night of 
July 19, 1779, Brant, an Indian chief, commanding a force of 160 miscel- 
laneous troops, descended upon Minisink, a village in Ulster County. The 
citizens of Goshen, 120 strong, imder Colonel Hathorn, went in pursuit. 
They were completely cut to pieces and Minisink was raided, though Sulli- 
van's army of 2312 men was not far away. 

Minneapolis, Minn., was incorporated as a city in 1867. In 1872 the 
city of St. Anthony, incorporated in i860, was united to Minneapolis. 

Minnesota, a State of the Union, was formed partly from the Northwest 
Territory and partly from the Louisiana Purchase. In 1678 Duluth visited 
the territory, and in 1680 Hennepin discovered and named the Falls of St. 
Anthony. In 1763 France ceded the eastern part to England, by whom it 
was ceded to the United States in 1783; the rest was acquired in 1803. 
Settlements were made near St. Paul by 1830, and at Stillwater in 1843. 
Minnesota was organized as a territory in 1849, and included the modern 
territory of the Dakotas. It had been a part of the territory of Missouri, ajid 
later of Iowa. May 11, 1858, Minnesota became a State. In 1862 serious 
attacks were made by the Sioux Indians. The State has always been Repub- 
lican. Its present Constitution was made in 1857. The population of the 
State in i860 was 172,023; in 1890 it was 1,301,826. History by Neill. 

Minnesota, Historical Society of, founded in 1849. It published a vol- 
ume of "Annals" in 1856. A considerable portion of its collections was 
lost by fire in 1881. 

" Minnesota Register," the first newspaper of any importance issued in 
Minnesota. It was printed at Cincinnati and dated St. Paul. McLean and 
Owens edited and published this journal. In August, 1849, it was consoli- 
dated with the Chronicle, and was then called the Chronicle and JRegis/er. 
Its publication was continued until 1851, and since that time has been 
suspended. 

Mints. The first U. S. mint was established at Philadelphia for the purpose 
of national coinage by the Act of Congress of April 2, 1792. The machinery 
and first metal used were imported. In 1792—93, coppers were coined, in 
1794 silver dollars, and in 1795 gold eagles. Steam power was introduced 
in 1 81 6. In 1835 branch mints were established at New Orleans, at Char- 
lotte, N. C, at Dahlonega, Ga., in 1852 at San Francisco, in 1864 at Dallas 
City, Ore., and in 1870 at Carson City, Nev. Assay offices were established 



Dictionary of United States History. 419 

at New York in 1854, at Denver, Colo., in 1864, and at Boise City, Idaho, in 
1872. These were considered branches of the Philadelphia mint until 1873, 
when the coinage act of that year made them separate mints and assay offices. 
These mints are bureaus of the Treasury Department and are all under the 
general supervision of the chief officer of that department. The mints at 
Charlotte and Dahlonega were suspended in 1861, that of New Orleans from 
i860 to 1879, that of Dallas in 1875, that of Carson in 1885. In 1652 Massa- 
chusetts had established a colonial mint at Boston for the purpose of coin- 
ing shillings and minor pieces, but this soon became inoperative. 

Minuit or Minnewit, Peter (i58o?-i64i), born in Wesel, Germany, was 
made Governor of New Netherlands by the Dutch West India Company in 
1625. He purchased Manhattan Island from the Indians, built Fort Amster- 
dam, and held office till 1631. Under the auspices of the Swedish West 
India Company, he planted a Swedish settlement on the Delaware, and built 
Fort Christiana in 1638. 

Minute-men, members of a military force authorized by the Provincial 
Congress of Massachusetts in 1774. They were to hold themselves ready to 
take the field at a minute's notice. 

Miranda's Plot, a scheme devised by some of the Federalist leaders of 
1798, notably King and Hamilton, to join Great Britain in obtaining posses- 
sion of the French and Spanish lands in America. One Miranda, of Caracas, 
undertook to secure the disaffection of the Spanish provinces. By this joint 
enterprise Great Britain was to obtain the West Indies, and the United States 
Florida and Louisiana east of the Mississippi. The plot fell through because 
President Adams refused to favor it. 

Mischianza, an elaborate spectacular entertainment given to General 
Howe by his officers on his departure from Philadelphia in 1778. It was 
devised by Andre. 

Missionary Ridge. (See Chattanooga.) 

Missiones, Spanish religious establishments conducted by Franciscan 
friars for the civilization and conversion of the Indians in Mexico and Cali- 
fornia. The first mission founded in California was at San Diego, in 1769; 
a second was established at Monterey a few months later. Before many 
years had elapsed there was a line of twenty-one prosperous missiones 
between San Diego and Point Reyes. In 1834 there were 30,650 Indians 
connected with the missiones. The property of the missiones was very 
extensive. Their decline began in the attempt at secularization by the 
Spanish Government. The priests had absolute control over the Indians, 
treating them more like slaves than free men, yet they taught them much 
both of religious and practical matters. 

Mississippi was admitted as a State December 10, 1817. It was explored 
by De Soto, a Spaniard, in 1539, and by the Frenchmen, Joliet and Mar- 
quette, who came down the Mississippi in 1673. In 1682 La Salle took 
formal possession of the territory for the King of France. Biloxi was 
settled by the French under Iberville in 1699, After the Louisiana bubble 



420 Dictionary of United States History. 

the colonies in Mississippi grew slowly. The French ceded the territory' to 
England in 1763, and it was included within the State of Georgia until 
1798, when it was organized as a territory by the U. S. Government under 
provisions like those of the Ordinance of 1787, with the exception of the 
article relative to slavery. The State has cast its electoral votes for Demo- 
cratic candidates except in the years 1840, 1848 and 1872. In 1842 the 
State repudiated its bonds to the amount of $5,000,000. In 1850 Jefferson 
Davis and Henry S. Foote were candidates for U. S. Senator, and canvassed 
the State on the issue of the advisability of secession. Davis, the leader of 
the pronounced Secessionists, was beaten by a small majority. An ordi- 
nance of secession was passed by a State Convention January 7, 1861, but 
was not submitted to a popular vote. The State furnished the President, 
Jefferson Davis, of the Confederacy. Mississippi was readmitted February 
23, 1870. In 1875 the white Democracy resorted to intimidation to keep 
the blacks from the polls, and succeeded in securing possession of the State, 
which has been Democratic since that date. The population of the State 
in 1817 was 75,512; in 1890 it had increased to 1,289,600. The present 
Constitution was made in 1891. 

Mississippi Company. This land company was started in 1769 by some 
wealthy and prominent Virginians as a rival to the Walpole Company, 
which, in 1766, had obtained a grant of 500,000 acres along the Scioto 
River. 

I Mississippi Company. (See Compagnie de I'Occident.) 

Missouri was formed originally from the Louisiana cession. The country 
was first settled by the French. In 1805 the southern portion of the Louisi- 
ana country was organized as a territory' under the name of Orleans, and 
the northern portion under that of Louisiana. When Louisiana was admitted 
as a State, in 181 2, the northern portion was called Missouri Territory. In 
1817 Missouri asked leave of Congress to frame a State Constitution. This 
was the cause of a fierce contest in Congress over the question of the exist- 
ence of slavery in Missouri, which was settled by the famous compromise 
(1820) of Henry Clay. (See Missouri Compromise.) This provided for the 
admission of Missouri as a slave State, but that in future slavery should be 
prohibited in all territory forming part of the Louisiana cession north of 36° 
30'. Missouri adopted a State Constitution July, 1820, which established sla- 
very and forbade the immigration into the State of free negroes. This negro 
clause led to another contest in Congress, and another compromise, whereby 
Missouri was admitted August 10, 1821. The electoral vote of the State 
was cast for Clay in 1824, since which time the State has been Democratic 
except during the period from 1862 to 1870, when the Republicans were in 
control. In 1849 the Democratic party in the State split into the "hards," 
or Benton men, and the " softs," or pro-slavery party. A State Convention 
met in 1861, which proved to be of Union sentiment. An unsuccessful 
attempt was made by the State officers to make an armed rebellion against 
the Union, and they were forced to flee from the State. The powers of 
government were then assumed by the convention, which, in 1863, passed 
an ordinance of gradual abolition of slaver}-. In 1864 Lincoln carried the 



Dictionary of United States History. 421 

State. The Republicans divided in 1870 over the disfranchising clauses of 
the Constitution. The " Liberal " Republicans, headed by Carl Schurz and 
B. G. Brown, elected Brown Governor of the State. In 1872 the State 
elected Greeley electors, and in 1874 the Republican party disappeared. 
Since then the State has been Democratic. The population of the State in 
1821 was 66,586; in 1890, 2,679,184. The present Constitution of the State 
was made in 1875. History by Carr. 

Missouri Compromise, a compromise efifected by the Act of Congress of 
March 3, 1820, between those who desired the e.Ktension of slavery into the 
regions beyond the Mississippi and those who desired its restriction. Missouri 
having applied for admission as a State, Tallmadge, of New York, in Feb- 
ruary, 1819, proposed an amendment which would ultimately destroy slavery 
in the new State. The House passed the bill with this amendment; the 
Senate refused to concur. Next year the bill, in the same form, passed the 
House again. The Senate voted to admit Maine, provided Missouri was 
admitted as a slave State. The House rejected the proposal. Thomas, of 
Illinois, proposed as a compromise the arrangement mentioned in the pre- 
ceding article. When Missouri's Constitution was laid before Congress, how- 
ever, it appeared that she had introduced clauses excluding free negroes from 
the State. The House then refused to admit Missouri. Clay effected a 
further compromise, whereby Missouri agreed not to deprive of his rights 
any citizen of another State. 

" Missouri Gazette." This newspaper was established at St. Louis in 
1808 by Joseph Charles. The name was changed in 1822 to the Missouri 
Rcp7iblicau^ under which title it is published at the present time, daily, tri- 
weekly and weekly. 

Mitchel, Ormsby M. (1809-1862), secured the establishment of the obser- 
vatory at Cincinnati, O., in 1843. He invented numerous astronomical 
instruments. He made extensive observations of stars, nebulae and sun- 
spots. He served in the Army of the Ohio from 1861 to 1862, engaging at 
Bowling Green, Nashville and Bridgeport. He commanded the Depart- 
ment of the South in 1862, but died of yellow fever. 

Mitchell, Donald G., born in 1822, a graceful and pleasant American 
author, has published " Reveries of a Bachelor," " Dream Life " and the 
" Edgewood " books. 

Mitchell, John H., born in 1835, represented Oregon in the U. S. Senate 
as a Republican from 1873 to 1879. He was again elected in 1885 and 1891; 
his present tenn will expire in 1S97. 

Mobile, Ala., was founded as a fort by Lemoyne d'Iberville in 1711. In 
1763, by the Treaty of Paris, Mobile was ceded to Great Britain, but 
was recovered for the United States in 181 3, having previously passed into 
the possession of the Spanish in 1780. In 1819 it was incorporated as a 
city. Mobile was besieged and bombarded March 27 to April 9, 1865, by 
45,000 Federal troops led by General Canby. Maury held the city v/ith 
goGO Confederates. His defences consisted of a system of irregular earth- 
'■>orks called Spanish Fort. This was invested April 4 by Smith and 



422 Dictionary of United States History. 

Granger, and was bombarded without much success. On the eighth, how- 
ever, 300 vards of the Confederate defences were captured, together with 500 
prisoners and fifty guns. The works were then evacuated. On the morning 
of the ninth a general assault was made upon the city, and nearly all the 
works were carried, 3423 men and forty guns being captured. Mobile was 
evacuated two days later and surrendered by its mayor April 12. 

Mobile Bay, Ala., scene of a naval engagement between the Federal and 
Confederate fleets, August 5 to 23, 1864. Farragut commanded the National 
fleet of eighteen vessels, fourteen of these being of wood and four ironclads, 
the "Tecumseh," "Winnebago," "Manhattan" and "Chickasaw." The 
Confederate Admiral Buchanan had far fewer vessels, three gunboats, the 
"Morgan," "Gaines" and " Selma " and the ram "Tennessee." Still he 
was defended by three strongly garrisoned forts, Gaines, Morgan and Powell, 
at the harbor's entrance, and the " Tennessee " was deemed a host in itself. 
Farragut entered the harbor with the gunboat " Brooklyn " leading and the 
entire fleet firing upon Fort Morgan, whence a lively reply was begun. The 
" Tecumseh " immediately struck a torpedo and was sunk. The fleet became 
confused and for some moments was in great danger. But Farragut forged 
ahead with the flag-ship " Hartford " and was attacked by the " Tennessee." 
The other Federal vessels quickly destroyed the " Selma " and chased away 
the "Morgan" and the "Gaines." The " Monongahela " and the "Lacka- 
wanna " were struck by the " Tennessee," but the latter was disabled by a 
broadside at close range from the " Hartford." The other boats closed 
around her. Her smokestack and steering chains were gone, her crew panic- 
stricken and she soon became unmanageable. She therefore surrendered. 
The Confederate forts were shelled for several days. Fort Powell was blown 
up and abandoned. Forts Gaines and Morgan surrendered. 

Modoc Indians originally occupied lands on Klamath Lake, Cal. They 
began attacks against the whites as early as 1847. Hostilities continued 
until 1864, when they ceded their lands and agreed to go on a reservation 
which was not set apart until 1871. In the meantime they were placed on 
the Klamath reservation, and later on the Yainax reservation. A band 
under Captain Jack left the reservation and settled on Lost River, whence 
they refused to depart (1872). Hostilities followed. Captain Jack retreated 
to the Lava Beds and was not finally conquered until June, 1873. 

Mohawks or Agmegue, one of the Five Nations of the Iroquois. The 
English early secured their friendship, and during the French and Indian 
Wars they proved valuable allies of the'colonists. In the Revolutionary War 
the tribe under Brant carried on hostilities against the Americans. In 1784 
the Mohawks retired to Upper Canada. 

Mohicans, an Algonquin tribe of Indians, early settled around the Hud- 
son. In 1628 they were driven to the Connecticut River by the Mohawks, 
but a part subsequently returned to their old home. Others who had pre- 
viously gone eastward became known as the Pequots. The ]\Iohicans were 
continually friendly to the English colonists during the struggle with the 
French, and also served the Americans in the Revolution. The tribe finally 



Dictionary of United States History. 423 

became divided. Some were assigned a reservation at Red Springs, and 
many became citizens. 

Molasses Act, an act passed by the British Parliament in 1733 to protect 
the molasses and sugar of the British West Indies. By this act a heavy- 
duty was laid on all sugar and molasses imported into the American colonies 
from the French islands. 

Molino del Rey (King's Mill), Mexico, a range of massive stone build- 
ings situated a short distance from the city of Mexico. Here General Worth, 
September 8, 1847, defeated the Mexican leaders, Leon, Perez and Alvarez. 
Scott sent Worth to attack this fortress by night, but this being found 
impracticable, Worth drew up his lines during the night and commenced 
battle at dawn, Wright leading the storming party. Garland cutting off sup- 
port from Chapultepec, Mcintosh facing the Mexican right and Cadwal- 
ader the centre. The Mexicans fought bravely, but were overcome with 
mr.ch loss. Number engaged: Americans, 3500; Mexicans, 10,000. 

" Moniteur," first newspaper issued in Louisiana. Printing was intro- 
duced into the State in 1804, and the iJ/(;«//(?«r was established the same 
year by a Frenchman named Fontaine. 

"Monitor," the National iron-clad constructed in 1S62 by John Ericsson, 
after a new type, under contract with the Union Government. She engaged 
in battle and partially disabled the enormous Confederate ram " Merrimac," 
March 9, 1862, after a fight of four hours, during which repeated charges 
were made by both vessels. She was commanded by Captain Worden. (See 
Hampton Roads.) The " Monitor " foundered and was sunk in a gale ofiF 
Cape Hatteras in December, 1S62. 

Monmouth, Battle of, June 28, 1778. On June 18 the British evacuated 
Philadelphia and started for New York. Washington determined to strike a 
sudden and crippling blow upon the British army. He set out along a 
parallel road, and by June 27 was in a position at Allentown, N. J., to com- 
mand the British flank. The British then turned east. Washington's pur- 
pose was now to crush the British left wing, which was moving in the rear. 
General Charles Lee was sent to accomplish this manceuvre. He was 
treacherous, and instead of acting in the offensive, as ordered, he threw away 
his advantage, and with 6000 men began a retreat without striking a blow. 
His men were nearly exhausted by the heat, and were falling into disorder 
when Washington suddenly appeared. Word had been sent him of Lee's 
strange action. Severely rebuking Lee, Washington at once set about restor- 
ing order among the demoralized troops. Owing to his energy a disgraceful 
flight was changed into a drawn battle. The American loss was 362, that 
of the British 416. Lee was court-martialed, and Clinton made good his 
escape to New York. 

Monocacy, Md. In this engagement of the Civil War, which took place 
July 9, 1S64, during the Confederate advance upon Washington, the Union 
General Wallace, commanding 8000 men, was defeated by Early, who led 
nearly 19,000 Confederates. Wallace's dispositions for battle were as follows: 
Tyler held the Baltimore pike on the right, Ricketts the Washington pike 



424 Dictionary of United States History. 

on the left, and Wallace the centre. The Confederates first attacked Brown, 
who was holding the Monocacy bridge. Then, forcing a passage of the 
river, they charged upon Ricketts and Tyler. These leaders defended them- 
selves bravely, though nearly surrounded. The battle continued all day, and 
Wallace retreated in the evening. 

Monroe, Elizabeth Kortright (1768-1830), married President James 
Monroe in 1786. She is described as "an elegant and accomplished woman 
with a dignity of manner that peculiarly fitted her for her station." 

Monroe, James (April 28, 1758-July 4, 1831), fifth President of the United 
States, was born in Westmoreland County, Va. He entered William and 
Mary College, but left it in 1776 to enter the army. He was present at 
Trenton, Brandy wine, Monmouth, etc., and in 1782 was already a member 
of the Virginia Assembly. He was soon a member of the State Council, and 
a delegate to the Continental Congress. In the Ratifying Convention of 
1788, he ardently upheld the Anti-Federalist side. As U. S. Senator 1790- 
1794, envoy to France 1 794-1 796, and Governor of Virginia 1 799-1 802, he 
was naturally a Republican and an exponent of Jefferson's views. President 
Jefferson sent him in 1802 as additional envoy to France, where he helped 
Livingston to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Thence he was 
sent as Minister to London, where he remained until 1807. He had just 
commenced another term as Governor in 181 1, when he was appointed Sec- 
retary of State. This office he held until 181 7, combining with it in 1814- 
1815 the War portfolio. As Republican candidate for President in 1816, 
Monroe received 183 electoral votes, and in 1820 he had almost no opposi- 
tion; the eight years of his administrations are in fact embalmed in Ameri- 
can history as the so-called " era of good feeling." His Cabinet included 
J. Q. Adams in the State Department, Crawford Treasury, Calhoun War, 
and Wirt Attorney-General. The period is marked by the acquisition of 
Florida, Seminole War, Missouri Compromise, seaboard defence policy, the 
visit of Lafayette, and the Monroe Doctrine (which see). There is a short 
life by President D. C. Gilman. 

Monroe Doctrine. After the overthrow of the empire of the first Napo- 
leon, France, Russia, Prussia and Austria formed an alliance for preserving 
the balance of power and suppressing revolutions within each other's 
dominions. The Spanish colonies in America having revolted, it was 
rumored that this alliance contemplated their reduction, although the United 
States recognized their independence. George Canning, the English Secre- 
tary of State, proposed that the United States join England in the prevention 
of such suppression. After consulting with Jefferson, Madison, John Quincy 
Adams and Calhoun, President Monroe embodied in his annual message to 
Congress in 1823 a clause which has since become celebrated as the " Monroe 
Doctrine." Referring to the proposed intervention of the allied powers the 
message stated that we " should consider any attempt on their part to extend 
their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace 
and safety;" and again, " that the American continents, by the free and 
independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are nence- 
forth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European 



Dictionary op United States History. 425 

powers." The doctrine thus set forth has been maintained by the United 
States on many subsequent occasions, notably in matters relating to the 
Isthmus of Panama and in the case of the French intervention in Mexico 
under Maximilian. 

Montana was admitted as a State November 8, 1889. It was organized 
as a territory in 1864. It formed a part of the Louisiana cession. In 1890 
and 1891 a deadlock in the L,egislature was caused by a disputed election in 
Silver Bow County. Since its admission as a State Montana has been 
Republican. The population in 1890 was 132,159. 

Montauks, an Indian tribe which, at the time of the settlement of Long 
Island by whites, occupied the east end of the island. In 1659 they were 
nearly exterminated by the Block Island Indians. In 1660, 1662, 1670 and 
1687 they conveyed their lands to certain bodies of settlers at Easthamptou, 
reserving the right to live on them or parts of them. They are now nearly 
extinct again. 

Montcalm, Louis Joseph, Marquis de (1712-1759), the ablest French 
general in America, was born near Nimes, and entered the anny at the age 
of fifteen years. He had experience in the War of the Austrian Succession, 
and in 1756 was sent by the Government to take command in the New 
World. The jealousy of the Canadian Governor, Vaudreuil, hampered 
Montcalm, but the first years of his command mark the high-water point 
of French success. In 1756 he took Oswego, and the next year besieged 
and received the surrender of Fort William Henry at the head of Lake 
George; this surrender was followed by a massacre of the captives on the 
part of Montcalm's Indian allies. On July 8, 1758, he repulsed Aber- 
cromby's overwhelming force at Ticonderoga. The next year Wolfe made 
his formidable attack on Quebec. For weeks the French commander's skill- 
ful precautions foiled the British. On the thirteenth of September Wolfe's 
army scaled the Heights of Abraham, and in the defeat Montcalm was mor- 
tally wounded, and died the following day. The great account of the period 
is Parkman's "Montcalm and Wolfe." 

Monterey, Mexico, scene of a six days' battle and siege during the Mexi- 
can War, September 20-25, 1846. General Taylor commanded the American 
army and General Ampudia held the town with 10,000 Mexicans. Taylor 
began operations by cutting off communications and attempting to storm the 
western heights, later disposing his troops so as to attack all points at once. 
During two days his efforts were unsuccessful. Finally Captain Backus, of 
the First Infantry, by firing into Fort Teneria from a captured tannery, won 
that stronghold. La Federacion heights. Forts Obispado and Diablo and the 
Saltillo road were captured in succession. In unsuccessful attacks on Fort 
Diablo, 394 oflScers and men were lost. By September 23 Taylor practically 
held the town. On September 25 Ampudia was allowed to evacuate, carry- 
ing one field battery and his small arms. This ended the campaign on the 
Rio Grande. Number engaged: Americans, 6600; Mexicans, 10,000. 

Monterey, Pa. Here, July 5, 1863, just after the battle of Gettysburg, 
while Lee was in full retreat from that battlefield, one brigade of his army 



426 Dictionary of United States History. 

was overtaken by Kilpatrick, commanding two National brigades. The 
Confederates were under Jones, and were on board a railroad train. The 
fight took place about midday, and the Confederates were defeated. Kil- 
patrick burned their train, captured their guards and resumed his inarch. 

Montgomery, Richard (1736-1775), came to America as a British soldier 
in 1757. He was engaged at Louisbourg in 1758 and at Montreal in 1760. 
He retired from the British army in 1772. He was a delegate to the Pro- 
vincial Congress in New York City in 1775. He was appointed brigadier- 
general in the Continental army. The disability of General Schuyler placed 
him in command of the expedition to Canada in 1775, and he captured Fort 
Chaiubly, St. John's and Montreal. He led the assault on Quebec, and was 
killed at the first discharge of the British artillery. 

Montgomery, Ala., founded in 1817, became the capital of the State in 
1847. From February, 1861, to May, 1862, it was the capital of the Con- 
federate Government, and was captured by the Union troops in 1865. 

" Monthly Anthology," a magazine established at Boston in 1803 by an 
association of literan,' men. It was continued until 181 1. It contained 
articles by such writers as Tudor, Buckminster, Thatcher, Kirkland, J. S. J. 
Gardiner, J. Q. Adams and G. Ticknor. 

Monticello, the birthplace and home of Thomas Jefferson, near Charlottes- 
ville, Va. The mansion was built by Jefferson's father in 1735, but was 
remodeled and enlarged in later years. It is now owned by a New York 
merchant. 

Montmorenci (July 31, 1759). In the French and Indian War the lead- 
ing final act was Wolfe's expedition. After waiting a month before 
Quebec Wolfe determined to make an assault. The point chosen was the 
Heights of Montmorenci. He landed his troops on the muddy shore at low 
tide. They carried the shore battery, but were overwhelmed by the fire 
from above. Under the protection of a shower they managed to retreat with 
a loss of 50c men. 

Montpelier, the home of James Madison, in Orange County, Va. It was 
here that Madison died in 1833. The Montpelier mansion was erected by 
him shortly after his return from Congress, though his father had owned the 
estate. 

Montpelier, Vt., was made capital of the State in 1805. 

Montreal. After the loss of Quebec in 1759, the centre of the French 
force was Montreal. Upon this the English forces advanced from Quebec 
under Murray, from Lake Chainplain under Haviland and from Lake Ontario 
under Amherst. The various outposts were driven in, and by September 6 
the English with 17,000 invested the town. The French were reduced to 
2200 by desertion, and Vaudreuil, feeling resistance to be useless, surrendered, 
September 8, 1759. The whole colony passed to the English, and the French 
army and oflScers were sent back to France. On the twelfth of November, 
1775, General IMontgomery captured the city of Montreal. It was a part of 
a scheme of the Revolutionary Americans to conquer Canada, which threat- 
ened their strategic centre, New York. 



Dictionary of United States History. 427 

Moore, Alfred (i 755-1810), fought at Charleston and Fort Moultrie during 
the Revolution. He was Attorney-General of North Carolina from 1792 to 
1798. He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 1799 to 1805. 

Moorefield, Va., a sharp skirmish August 7, 1864, between small bodies 
of Confederate and Union troops under B. Johnson and Averill respect- 
ively. The Confederates were defeated and Averill captured 500 prisoners. 

Moore's Creek, Battle of, February 27, 1776. At Moore's Creek, N. C, 
Colonel Caswell, with 1000 militia, defeated 1600 loyalists, took 900 pris- 
oners, 2000 stand of arms and ^15,000 in gold. This victory was as inspir- 
ing in the South as Lexington had been in New England. 

Moquis, an Indian tribe in Arizona on the Little Colorado and San Juan 
Rivers. They killed or expelled the early missionaries who visited them, 
but of late years have been peaceable. They have suffered greatly from the 
attacks of Apaches and Navajos. 

Moravian Brethren. These form an evangelical church which flourished 
in Bohemia before the Reformation, was stamped out about 1627 and revived 
during the first half of the eighteenth century. They first settled in 
Georgia in 1735, but soon moved to Pennsylvania. They instituted a com- 
munism of labor; the lands were owned by the church, and its members 
worked them, receiving in return the necessities of life. This plan existed 
till 1762, and greatly aided the church in sending out its itinerant ministers 
and missionaries. They also for a long time excluded from their communi- 
ties all outsiders, but this system gradually died out and has now altogether 
disappeared. The American church still maintains its connection with the 
parent churches in Europe and is growing rapidly, owing largely to its active 
missionary spirit. Number of members in 1890, 12,000. 

Morey Letter, a letter published in a New York newspaper in 1880, 
near the end of the Garfield campaign, purporting to have been written by 
Garfield to " H. L. Morey, Employers' Union, Lynn, Mass." It expressed 
sympathy with capital rather than labor. It was proved to be a forgery. 

Morfontaine, Treaty of, a name sometimes given to the convention 
negotiated September 30, 1800, between the United States and the French 
Republic, which had then recently come under the rule of the first consul, 
Bonaparte. It was negotiated by Ellsworth, Murray and Davie for the 
United States, and Joseph Bonaparte for France. It provided for restoration 
of captured ships and property, and more liberal rules respecting neutrals, 
but postponed the French spoliation claims. 

Morgan, Daniel (born about 1736, died 1802), was born of Welsh par- 
entage in New Jersey. He fought from the battle of the Monongahela 
through the French and Indian War, and Pontiac's War, and settled as a 
farmer in Virginia. In the Revolution he led a company of Virginian rifle- 
men to Washington's army before Boston. Joining Arnold's romantic expe- 
dition to Canada, he showed great valor in the assault on Quebec, where he 
was captured. Released, he won distinction under Washington in 1777, and 



428 Dictionary of United States History. 

was sent with his rifle corps to reinforce Gates. In the two battles of Still- 
water Morgan played a leading part. He resigned in 1779, but rejoined the 
army in 17S0 as brigadier-general. At the opening of 1781 he gained at 
Cowpens one of the most brilliant victories of the war. Thereupon he con- 
ducted a famous retreat over the Catawba, and effected a junction with Greene. 
General Morgan was a Congressman from Virginia in 1797. 

Morgan, Edwin D. (1811-1883), was a member of the New York Senate 
from 1850 to 1863. He was chairman of the Republican National Committee 
from 1856 to 1864. He was Governor of New York from 1858 to 1862, and 
commanded the Department of New York during the Civil War. He was a 
U. S. Senator from 1863 to 1869. 

Morgan, John (1725-1789), established the University of Pennsylvania 
Medical School in 1765, and was physician-in-chief of the American army 
from 1775 to 1777. 

Morgan, John H. (i 826-1864), commanded a Confederate cavalry force 
from 1862 to 1863. He annoyed the National forces by successful and 
destructive raids in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, during one of 
which he was shot. 

Morgan, John T., born in 1824, "^^^ promoted brigadier-general in the 
Confederate service. He has represented Alabama in the U. S. Senate as a 
Democrat since 1877. His term expires in 1901. 

Morgan, Lewis H. (1818-1881), the '• Father of American Anthropology," 
made extensive investigations concerning the kinships of the races. He 
published " Systems of Consanguinity and Afl&nity of the Human Fainily " 
and " Ancient Society." 

Morgan, William, of Batavia, N. Y., born about 1775, proposed in 1826 
to expose the secrets of the Order of Freemasons, of which he had been a 
member. His sudden disappearance soon afterward, and apparent abduction 
by the Masons, caused great excitement. An Anti-Masonic party was 
formed in most free States, and William Wirt was nominated for president 
in 1831. Morgan, it is now known, was taken from Batavia to Niagara and 
killed, his body being sent over the falls. 

Mormons, a sect mainly located in Utah and the Territories and States 
in its neighborhood, to the number of 150,000, but having also about 60,000 
converts in other parts of the United States and foreign countries. The sect 
was founded by Joseph Smith, of Sharon, Vt., and Palmyra, N. Y., the first 
organized conference being held June i, 1830, at Fayette, N. Y. The dis- 
tinguishing features of their belief are polygamy, materialism and baptism 
for the remission of sins. The Mormons first settled in Missouri, but were 
expelled thence, probably because of their anti-slavery sentiments. In 1839 
they settled at Nauvoo, 111. In 1844 an Illinois mob killed the leader Smith. 
Emigrating again, by 1S48 they were settled at Salt Lake City. Brigham 
Young, the president, was appointed Governor of Utah Territory in 1850 by 
President Fillmore, but he turned out to be wholly in sympathy with the 
Mormons, and resisted the Federal troops in 1857. Since that time the 
Government has experienced many difficulties in regulating the relations of 



Dictionary of United States History. 429 

the Mormons and Christians in Salt Lake City. In 1882 the Edmunds Act 
disfranchised polygamists. 

" Morning Post," first penny paper established in this countrs', founded 
in New York City January i, 1833, by Horatio David Shepard, with Horace 
Greeley and Francis V. Story as partners, printers and publishers. It was 
suspended after one month. 

Morocco. A treaty of peace and friendship was concluded between the 
United States and Morocco in 1787 for fifty years. This was renewed in 
1836. In 1865 the United States joined with the European powers in a 
•convention with Morocco concerning the administration and maintenance of 
the lighthouse at Cape Spartel; and similarly in 1880 in a convention for the 
establishment of the right of protection in Morocco. 

Morrill, Anson P. (i 803-1 887), was elected Governor of Maine by the 
Legislature in 1855. He represented Maine in the U. S. Congress as a 
Republican from 1861 to 1863. 

Morrill, Justin S., born in 1810, represented Vermont in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Republican from 1855 to 1867. He was many times Chairman of 
the Ways and Means Committee. He is author of the famous Morrill 
Tariff of 1861 and is a strong advocate of protection. He has been a mem- 
ber of the U. S. Senate from 1867 to the present time (1897). 

Morrill, Lot M. (1813-1883), was president of the Maine Senate in 1856. 
He was Governor of ]\Iaine from 1S5S to 1861. He represented Maine in 
the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1861 to 1876. He was a faithful 
worker and familiar with financial, naval and Indian affairs. He was Secre- 
tary of the Treasury in Grant's Cabinet from 1876 to 1877. 

Morrill Tariff, so called after its framer, Justin S. Morrill, of Vermont. 
This tariff became law just before the war, March 2, 1861. It restored the 
protective rates of 1846 and substituted specific for ad-valorcm duties. The 
Tariff Act of 1864, also under the management of Morrill, was distinctly a 
war tariff used to advance the protectionist notions of its framers. It taxed 
every possible article indiscriminately and at the highest rates. 

Morris, Charles (1784-1856), Commodore, ser\'ed in the war with Tripoli 
from 1801 to 1805. He was lieutenant of the " Constitution " in the engage- 
ment with the "Guerriere." He was Chief of the Ordnance Bureau from 
1 85 1 to 1856. 

Morris, George P. (1802-1864), journalist, was famous as a song-writer, 
composing " Woodman, Spare That Tree," " My ]Mother's Bible " and " Long 
Time Ago." He published " Prose and Poetry of Europe and America." 

Morris, Gouverneur (1752-1816), an American Statesman, was half-brother 
of Lewis Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was 
graduated at King's (Columbia) College in 1768, and was admitted to the bar 
of New York. He was a delegate to the New York Provincial Congress and 
to the Continental Congress, and was an influential adviser in financial matters. 
He was assistant to Robert Morris when the latter was Superintendent of 
Finance; he attended the Federal Convention of 1787 and revised the final 



430 Dictionary of United States History. 

draft of the Constitution. After passing some time in France, he went as a 
diplomatic agent to England in 1791, and was Minister to France 1791-1794. 
For some years he traveled in Europe. Returning he was U. S. Senator 
1 800-1 803. He was a champion of canals, and chairman of the canal com- 
missioners. Morris was a noted writer of satires and addresses and a prom- 
inent Federalist. Lives by Sparks and by Roosevelt. 

Morris, Lewis (17 26-1 798), was a delegate from New York to the Contin- 
ental Congress from 1775 to 1777. He was a commissioner to the Western 
Indians in 1775 to induce them to join the colonists against the British. He 
signed the Declaration of Independence. He was major-general of the New 
York State Militia. 

Morris, Robert (1734-1806), the financier of the Revolution, was bom in 
Liverpool. Having settled in Philadelphia he built up a flourishing busi- 
ness there. He opposed the Stamp Act, and signed the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. In Congress he gave valuable services to the Committee of 
Ways and Means, and in February, 1781, he was elected Superintendent of 
Finance. Among his acts was the organization of the Bank of North 
America at the end of 1781. In 1784 he retired, but served in the Pennsyl- 
vania Legislature, as delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and 
U. S. Senator 1 789-1 795. He had previously declined the office of Secre- 
tary of the Treasury. In his later years he was unsuccessful in business, 
and was at one time imprisoned for debt. There is a biography by Gould 
and one by W. G. Sumner. 

Morrison, William R., born in 1825, served during the Mexican War. 
He commanded a regiment in the Civil War. He represented Illinois in the 
U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1863 to 1865 and from 1873 to 1887, and 
was chairman of the Ways and J\Ieans Committee from 1873 to 1875. He 
has been a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission from its origin 
in 1887 to the present time (1897). 

Morse, Jedediah (1761-1826), minister at Charlestown, Mass., from 1789 
to 1820, was noted as a compiler of early American geographical works. 

Morse, John T., born in 1840, has published " Law of Arbitration and 
Award," " F'amous Trials " and " Life of Alexander Hamilton." He has 
edited the "American Statesmen " series, contributing the volumes on "John 
Quincy Adams," "Thomas Jefferson," "John Adams" and "Abraham 
Lincoln." 

Morse, Samuel F. B. (1791-1872), was engaged in painting in his early 
life and gained considerable prominence as an artist. He conceived the idea 
of an electro-magnetic telegraph in a conversation with Charles T. Jackson 
in 1832. He immediately applied himself to the task, and in 1837 exhib- 
ited his invention. After repeated appeals Congress appropriated $30,000 in 
1843 for a telegraph line between Washington and Baltimore, which was 
successfully tested in 1844. The number and character of the honors he 
received was seldom equalled. His system is almost universally employed. 

Morton or Mourt, George (1585-1628?), brought emigrants and supplies 
from England to the Pilgrims in 1623. ^^ edited in England in 1622 



Dictionary of United States History. 431 

" Mourt's Relation of the Beginuing and Proceeding of the English Planta- 
tion at Plymouth," an important original source. 

Morton, John (1724-1777), signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
had previously been a delegate to the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, and 
speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly from 1772 to 1775. 

Morton, J. Sterling, of Nebraska, was born in 1832. He conceived the 
idea of Arbor Day for tree planting. He became Secretary of Agriculture in 
Cleveland's Cabinet in 1893. 

Morton, Levi P., born in 1824, founded the banking house of Morton, 
Rose & Co. in 1869, which was the iiscal agent of the U. S. Government 
from 1873 to 1884. He represented New York in the U. S. Congress as a 
Republican from 1878 to 1881. He was Minister to France from 1881 to 
1885 and was Vice-President of the United States from 1889 to 1893. 

Morton, Marcus (1784-1864), represented Massachusetts in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1817 to 1821. He was Governor of Massachu- 
setts from 1840 to 1 841 and from 1843 to 1844. 

Morton, Nathaniel (1613-1685), came to America from England in 1623. 
He was secretary of the Massachusetts colony from 1647 to 1685. He wrote 
" New England's Memorial," a carefully prepared history of early colonial 
days. 

Morton, Oliver Perry (i 823-1877), was a leading lawyer in Indiana, a 
judge, and a founder of the Republican party. As the party candidate for 
Governor he was defeated, but in i860 was elected Lieutenant-Governor. 
As Lane, the Governor, was chosen to the U. S. Senate, Morton became 
Governor. His term included the Civil War period, and his vigor in 
equipping and forwarding troops and suppressing disaffection made him fore- 
most among the " War Governors." Since the Indiana Legislature in 1863- 
1865 refused its co-operation, he declined to summon it during those years. 
He was re-elected Governor in 1864. From 1867 to 1877 he was U. S. 
Senator, and one of the most energetic and extreme of the Republican lead- 
ers. He was chairman of the Committee on Privileges and Elections, and a 
member of the Electoral Commission. He was a prominent candidate before 
the National Convention in 1876. 

Morton, Thomas (1575 ?-i646), emigrated to Plymouth from England in 
1622. He made a settlement at Mount Wollaston or " Merry Mount," (now 
Braintree) where he made himself obnoxious to the Puritans by his revels. 
He was twice seized and transported to England, where he published " The 
New England Canaan" in 1632. For this satire he was imprisoned on his 
return in 1643. 

Mosby, John S., born in 1833, enlisted in the Confederate cavalry in 
1 86 1, and served under General Johnston in the Shenandoah campaign. In 
1862 he became a scout and made raids upon McClellan's army. In 1863 
he led a baud of guerillas in Northern Virginia, being successful at Chantilly, 
Dranesville and Warrenton Junction. He was consul at Hong Kong from 
1876 to i88fi.S 



432 Dictionary of United States History. 

" Mother Ann." (See Lee, Ann.) 

Motley, John Lothrop (i 814-1877), historian, studied at Harvard and 

Gottingen, and was secretary of the U. S. legation at St. Petersburg in 1841. 
In 1S56, he published "The Rise of the Dutch Republic," which was imme- 
diately recognized as a brilliant and scholarly production. During the Civil 
War he zealously upheld the national cause in Europe. From 1861 to 1868, 
he produced "The History of the United Netherlands." He was Minister 
to Austria from 1861 to 1867, and to England from 1869 to 1870. In 1874 
he published the " Life of John of Barneveld." He wrote an address entitled 
" Historic Progress and American Democracy." Life by Dr. O. W. Holmes. 

Mott, Lucretia (1793-1880), entered the ministry of the Friends in Phila- 
delphia in 1S18. She adhered to the Hicksite branch. She was one of the 
original founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society. In 1840 she was 
sent as a delegate to the World's Anti-Slavery Convention at London. Her 
exclusion from it increased the woman-suffrage agitation, in which she 
became a leader. 

Mott, Valentine (i 785-1 865), of New York, was one of the most success- 
ful surgical operators of his time. He held professorships in medical colleges 
almost continuously from 1809 to i860. 

Moultrie, Fort, Battle of, June 28, 1776. When the British attempted to 
capture Charleston, S. C, they found the city defended by a palmetto fort on 
Sullivan's Island, under command of Colonel Moultrie. After a ten hours' 
engagement the fleet withdrew. The American loss had been only thirty- 
seven, that of the British, 205, and only one of their ten sail remained 
seaworthy. After refitting, Clinton and Parker sailed to New York. For 
more than two years there was no further invasion of the South. 

Moultrie, ^Villiam (1731-1805), represented South Carolina in the Con- 
tinental Congress in 1775. He successfully defended Sullivan's Island in 
Charleston Harbor against a British fleet in 1776. The fort there was named 
in his honor. He defeated the British at Beaufort and successfully defended 
Charleston in 1779. He was Governor of South Carolina in 1785 and 1794. 
He wrote " jMemoirs of the Revolution." 

Moundbuilders, a name given to a prehistoric race the principal remains 
of which are extensive earthworks found in the Mississippi Valley extend- 
ing from the lakes southward to the gulf. j\Iany of these are clearly 
defensive works or places of sepulture. Fort Hill, Ohio, has a line of cir- 
cumvallation about four miles in extent. These defensive works also include 
structures used for religious purposes. Many mounds are of regular outline 
assuming the form of various geometrical figures. In Newark, Ohio, works 
of this character cover an area of more than two square miles. A mound 
near St. Louis is 700 feet long by 500 broad at the base and ninety feet high. 
Some mounds of this character contain skeletons. Mounds, such as those 
near Wheeling, W. Va., and Miamisburg, Ohio, are evidently the graves of 
distinguished personages. In Wisconsin and Iowa are earthworks which 
assume the outline of men and animals. One in Adams County, Ohio, has 
the form of a serpent. It is over 1000 feet in length and its mouth is 



DiCTIOXARY OF UNITED STATES HiSTORY. 433 

partially closed around an egg of perfectly regular dimensions. The figure 
reaches a height of about five feet. Various theories prevail as to the ques- 
tion what race built the mounds. It is now frequently thought to have been 
a race related to the Indians. 

Mount Crawford, Va. At this place 4500 Confederates imder Jones were 
defeated disastrously by a somewhat stronger force of Federals commanded 
by Hunter. The fight took place June 5, 1864. Jones was killed. 

Mount Holyoke Seminary and College, South Hadley, Mass., was first 
chartered (1836) as a seminary, but rechartered (1888) as a college for the 
higher education of women. The founder was Miss Mary Lyon. 

Mount Vernon, the home and burial-place of George Washington, on the 
western bank of the Potomac in Fairfax County, Va. Mount Vernon man- 
sion was built by Lawrence Washington in 1743, and was named in honor of 
Admiral Vernon. In 1858 it was purchased from John A. Washington by 
the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association for $200,000, and is now a place of 
public resort. 

Mountain Meadow Massacre. In the autumn of 1857, a body of thirty- 
six Arkansas and Missouri emigrants en route to California, were brutally 
murdered at Mountain Meadow, Utah, by a band of Indians, who were 
incited thereto by Lee, a Mormon fanatic. It was the period of the first 
troubles between the United States Government and the Mormons. Brigham 
Young had made threats of turning the Indians loose upon west-boimd emi- 
grants, but the Mormons, as a body, were innocent of the massacre. The 
emigrant party was encamped at IVIountain Meadow when the attack began, 
September 7. They threw up earthworks and defended themselves for four 
days. Lee, under pretence of friendship, succeeded in drawing them out and 
murdering the whole party. 

Mugwump, a word of the Massachusetts Indians, meaning a great person- 
age (mugquomp). After long use in localities, and occasional use in politics, 
it came into prominence in 1884, being then applied to those independent 
members of the Republican party, who openly refused to vote for the party's 
candidate, Blaine. Thus the name came to be applied to all Independent 
Republicans. 

Muhlenberg, Frederick A. C. (1750-1801), represented Pennsylvania in 
the Continental Congress in 1779 and 1780. He was president of the State 
convention that ratified the Constitution. He was a U. S. Congressman 
from 1789 to 1795 and was twice Speaker, 1 789-1 791, 1 793-1 795. 

Muhlenberg, John P. G. (i 746-1807), was a pastor at Woodstock, Va., 
from 1772 to 1775. He enlisted in the National army as a colonel in 1775. 
He won distinction at Charleston, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, 
Stony Point and Yorktown. He represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. Con- 
gress from 1789 to 1791, 1793 to 1795 and from 1799 to 1801. 

Mulligan Letters, letters which James Mulligan, bookkeeper for War- 
ren Fisher, of Boston, testified before a Congressional committee in 1876, 
had been written by James G. Blaine to Mr. Fisher. The importance of 

28 



434 Dictionary of United States History. 

these letters during the campaign of 1884 was d\ie to the discussion as to 
whether they were or were not discreditable to Blaine. Mulligan died 1S94. 

Mumfordsville, Ky., scene of an encounter between Chalmers, leading 
the advance guard of Bragg's army of 25,000 Confederates, and 21,000 Fed- 
erals under Wilder and Dunham. The Confederates began the fight and 
were repulsed in their first attack. But Bragg gradually drew his forces 
about Wilder until there was no chance of escape for that leader, who accord- 
ingly surrendered, September 17, 1862. 

Munn vs. Illinois, one of the " elevator cases " decided by the Supreme 
Court of the U. S. In 1872, Munn and Scott, lessees of a grain elevator 
and warehouse in Chicago, were found guilty in the Criminal Court of Cook 
County, 111., of violating Article thirteen of the State Constitution relat- 
ing to the storage of grain. They had neglected to take out a license and 
give bond, and were charging rates higher than prescribed in the above- 
mentioned act. They were fined, and the decision was confirmed by the 
Supreme Court of Illinois, whence the case was transferred to the Supreme 
Court of the United States. That body confirmed the judgment on the 
ground that the Act of the Illinois Legislature was not repugnant to the 
national Constitution, and that a State could lawfully determine how a man 
might use his own property, when the good of other citizens was involved. 

Murcheson Letter, a letter received in October, 1888, by Lord Sack- 
ville-West, British Minister at Washington, from one Charles Murcheson, 
representing himself to be a naturalized citizen of English birth, and asking 
the Minister how he should vote in the impending Presidential election. 
Lord Sackville openly advised, as favorable to British interests, Cleveland. 
This caused great indignation. Sackville's recall was requested and his 
passports sent him. 

Murfree, Mary N., born in Tennessee about 1850, has published articles 
on Tennessee life under the pen-name of Charles Egbert Craddock. She is 
author of " In the Tennessee Mountains," " Where the Battle Was Fought," 
and " The Despot of Broomsedge Cove." 

Murfreesboro, Tenn., was occupied by an encampment of 1400 national 
troops under Crittenden and Dufiield in 1862. These troops were defeated 
and expelled July 13 by the Confederate cavalryman Forrest, who came 
upon them unexpectedly and routed them after a sharp fight. Forrest cap- 
tured a quantity of valuable stores. The second and great battle of Mur- 
freesboro took place December 31, 1862, and January i, 1863, Bragg, com- 
manding 62,000 Confederates, being opposed to 43,000 Federals led by 
Rosecrans. Bragg was about to go into winter quarters and was not expect- 
ing an engagement, when suddenly Rosecrans moved against him, forcing 
him to concentrate his troops. This he did, marching his army between 
Rosecrans and the town and drawing it up with Breckenridge on the right, 
Polk in the centre and Hardee on the left. Opposing these were the Federal 
leaders, Crittenden, Thomas and McCook. The Confederates were on the 
west side of Stone River. Rosecrans had planned to strike first, but Bragg 
anticipated him. Both had massed their forces on the left, and on December 



Dictionary of United States History. 435 

31, as Rosecrans' left was hurriedly crossing Stone River, Bragg's left fell 
upon it so furiously as completely to sweep away Johnson's division and 
rushed forward upon Sheridan, having demolished Davis in the charge. 
Sheridan held out firmly, raking the Confederates with his batteries and 
forcing them back. He was finally driven from his position, but he saved 
the day. Rosecrans now massed his batteries on a knoll and withstood the 
Confederate charges until night. Storms on January 2 and 3 prevented 
battle, and on the fourth Bragg had retired after slight skirmishing. Again 
in 1863, in a seven days' irregular skirmish and battle, June 23-30, during 
Rosecrans' campaign in Tennessee, that general defeated and drove the Con- 
federate, Bragg, from the intrenchmeuts he had thrown up during several 
months at Tullahoma, near Murfreesboro, after which place the battle is 
sometimes called. Rosecrans had 60,000 men, Bragg 40,000. Bragg's 
army was posted in a long line from Murfreesboro, past Tullahoma and 
along the Duck River. June 24 Rosecrans sent McCook and Wilder to cap- 
ture Booker's Gap and Liberty Gap, two important mountain passes. This 
move was successful. Granger had in the meantime dislodged the Confed- 
erates from Guy's Gap, capturing three guns and a large body of prisoners. 
By the twenty-seventh Rosecrans was prepared for a flank movement against 
the Confederates. This was so well planned and executed that Bragg 
vacated his intrenchmeuts and fled across Elk River on the night of the 
twenty-ninth. 

Murphy, Henry C. (1810-1882), represented New York in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1843 to 1845 and from 1847 to 1849. He was 
Minister to the Netherlands from 1857 to 1861. He was a student and writer 
on the Dutch history of New York. 

Muscat. The United States concluded a treaty of amity and commerce 
with Jiluscat in 1833. 

Museum, National. (See National Museum.) 

Museum, Philadelphia, the earliest public establishment of this sort in 
the United States. It was founded by Charles Wilson Peale in 1785, and had 
as a nucleus a stuffed paddle-fish and the bones of a mammoth. 

Myer, Albert J. (1827-1880), author of a " Manual of Signals for the U. S. 
Army and Navy," was chief of the signal ser\'ice from 1863 to 1864 and from 
1866 to 1870. He inaugurated the present system of meteorological obser- 
vations. 

N. 

Nantucket, Mass., was settled in 1659. It was annexed to New York in 
1664 and in 1693 ceded to Massachusetts. The town was incorporated as 
Sherburne in 1673, ^^^ i^ ^795 ^^^ given its present name. The year 1712 
marked the beginning of Nantucket's histor}' as a whaling port. 

Napoleon (I.) Bonaparte (August 15, 1769-May 5, 1821), general of the 
French Anny of Italy 1 796-1 798, commander in Egypt 1 798-1 799, First 



436 Dictionary of United States History. 

Consul 1799-1S04, Emperor of the French 1 804-1 8 14, and (after the cap- 
tivity in Elba) again during the "Hundred Days" in 1815, and an exile in 
the island of St. Helena 1815-1821. He enters into American history 
through the fact that he was head of the government at the time of the 
lyouisiana Purchase of 1803, and that his " Continental" commercial policy 
and attempts to cripple Great Britain are largely bound up with the American 
commercial and naval troubles of Jefferson's and Madison's administrations, 
which ended in the War of 181 2. 

Napoleon III. (1808-1873), of France, was the son of Louis Bonaparte, 
King of Holland. He was elected President of the French Republic in 
1848, and in 1852 established an imperial government. From 1862 to 1867 he 
attempted to establish Archduke Maximilian on the Mexican throne. The 
demand of U. S. Secretary of State Seward for the withdrawal of French 
troops from Mexico in 1866 was conceded by Napoleon. During the Civil 
War he inclined toward recognition of the independence of the Confederate 
States, but did not take that step. 

Nares, Sir George S., born in England in 1831, commanded an Arctic 
expedition in the " Alert " and " Discovery " from 1875 to 1876. He attained 
latitude 83° 10' 26" N., and made valuable scientific observations. 

Narragansett Country, the lands occupied by the Narragansett Indians 
at the coming of the English, but especially applied to that territory along 
the west shore of Narragansett Bay from Wickford to Point Judith. It was 
long a scene of rivalry between two land companies, John Hull, of Pine 
Tree Shilling fame, purchasing lands about Pettaquamscut Rock in 1660, 
and Atherton's company making similar purchases the same year near Wick- 
ford. This territory was also a bone of contention between Rhode Island 
and Connecticut during fifty years. It was detached from Rhode Island and 
became the King's Province in 1665, but was afterward restored and was 
called King's County till the Revolution, when its name became Washing- 
ton County. 

Narragansetts, a tribe of Rhode Island Indians, formerly inhabiting the 
western shores of the bay bearing their name. Though they at first engaged 
in no open war against the settlers, yet they were held in distrust. In 1636 
Roger Williams gained their friendship, and in 1644 they ceded their lands 
to the king. Troubles arose in 1645, ^""^ ^^'^ expedition was sent against 
them. The Indir.ns, however, hastened to make a treaty. At the outbreak 
of Philip's War they were suspected and were attacked by the whites. 
Hostilities followed which was terminated by a bloody encounter in a 
swamp at South Kingstown. The Indians were almost annihilated; the 
remnant, however, settled at Charlestown, R. I. 

Narvaez, Panfilo de (1470-1528), was active in conquering the West 
Indies for Spain. In 1520 he was sent by Velasquez, Governor-General of 
Cuba, to conquer Mexico, but was defeated by Cortes at Cempoala. He was 
made Governor of Florida by Spain in 1528, and led an expedition of 400 
men into the interior of Florida. They suffered severe hardships and were 
shipwrecked at the mouth of the Mississippi. 



Dictionary of United States History. 437 

Nashville, Tenn., was settled in 1780 and became the capital of the State 
in 1843. In December, 1864, it was the scene of the " Battle of Nashville," 
■which practically ended Hood's campaign in Tennessee. His army numbered 
about 40,000 men, while Thomas opposed him with 56,000 Federals. After 
the battle of Franklin, Thomas, though victorious, fell back December i, 
1864, to Nashville and occupied a strong position protected by Forts Negley, 
Morton, Confiscation, Houston and Gillem. Hood arrived December 2, and 
formed his line with his salient resting on Montgomery Hill, 600 yards from 
Thomas' centre. Storms prevented fighting until the fifteenth. Then Steed- 
man attacked the Confederates on the right, and Smith and Wilson advanced 
against their left. Two redoubts were carried and many prisoners captured, 
after which an attack was made on Montgomer}' Hill with considerable 
success. On the sixteenth a combined attack was inaugurated against the 
Confederate line, its chief force being concentrated upon the centre. Both 
sides lost heavily. Another assault by Smith and Schofield won the day. 
The Confederates broke and fled in all directions. 

Nashville Convention, a convention of delegates from the Southern States 
at Nashville, Tenn., June, 1850, suggested by the Mississippi State Conven- 
tion of the previous year. The conventionwas called to consider the slavery 
question and the encroachments of Northern abolitionists. It did not meet 
with universal approval. The Wilmot proviso and the Missouri Compromise 
were disapproved of, but resolutions of open resistance advanced by Texas, 
South Carolina and Mississippi were voted down. The convention met 
again in November, and again moderate resolutions were adopted. 

Nassau. The United States concluded a convention for the abolition of 
the droit d'aubaine and taxes on emigration with Nassau in 1846. 

Nassau, Fort, erected on the site of the present town of Gloucester, N. J.,, 
by Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, representing the Dutch West India 
Company in 1623. It was abandoned and rebuilt a number of times, and 
finally abandoned in 1651. 

Nast, Thomas, born in 1840, came to America from England in 1846. 
He is one of the foremost pictorial satirists of the day. He is a Repub- 
lican and has been prominent in political movements, such as the overthrow 
of the Tweed ring. 

Natchez, Miss., was settled by the French in 1716. In 1729 the Natchez 
Indians burnt the settlement and massacred the inhabitants. The French 
soon recaptured the town and held it until 1763, when it passed to Great 
Britain. From 1779 to 1798 it was occupied by the Spaniards. In 1798 it 
was occupied by the United States and became the capital of the Territory 
of Mississippi and so remained until 1820. In 1862 Natchez was captured 
by a portion of Farragut's fleet. 

Natchitoches, La., a brief engagement, followed by desultory skirmishing, 
March 31, 1864, between detachments of Franklin's division of Banks' Army 
under Mower, and several regiments of Confederates led by Dick Taylor. 
This was during Banks' campaign in the Southwest. The Confederates were 



438 Dictionary of United States History. 

defeated, but there was no great loss on either side. The Confederates 
retreated, Franklin pursuing them. 

Natick, Mass., was incorporated in 1781. In 1651 a band of John Eliot's 
Indian converts came here from Newton, and in 1660 the first Indian church 
in New England was erected. The settlement numbered several hundred 
Indians, and had a simple government of its own. 

National Banks. The free banking system of the State of New York 
(1838) gave all parties freedom to establish banks, and required securities to 
be deposited with the State for bank issues. In December, 1861, Secretary 
Chase recommended to Congress a similar system of national banks. He 
repeated this recommendation in 1862. The Act of February 25, 1863, 
authorized the free formation of banks, entitled to issue notes to the amount 
of ninety per cent of the par value of the United States bonds which each 
bank deposited with the Treasury Department. The system was to be super- 
vised by an official called the comptroller of the currency. $300,000, 000 
of bank notes in all might be issued. A revised act was passed June 3, 
1864. The Act of 1865 taxing State bank notes forced most of these to 
become national banks. The Act of 1870 increased the total amount of issue 
to $354,000,000. The system greatly benefited the Government in the 
placing of its bonds, and gave the country a superior system of banking, the 
Government guaranteeing the notes. There are now nearly 4000 national 
banks, with capital amounting to nearly $700,000,000, and deposits aggregat- 
ing nearly $1,800,000,000. 

National Board of Health, instituted by Act of Congress, March 3, 1879, 
to consist of eleven members, seven civilian physicians, one army surgeon, 
one navy surgeon, one medical officer of the marine hospital service and one 
officer of the Department of Justice. 

National Cemeteries, for soldiers and sailors, originated in 1850. The 
army appropriation bill for that year appropriated $10,000 for purchasing a 
lot near the city of Mexico for the interment of United States soldiers who 
fell near that place during the Mexican War. The remains of Federal sol- 
diers who fell in the Civil War have been interred in seventy-eight national 
cemeteries. 

" National Intelligencer," a tri-weekly newspaper established in Washing- 
ton by Samuel H. Smith, in 1800, as the organ of Jefferson's administration. 
This journal was in reality an offshoot of a publication begun at Philadel- 
phia in 1793 by Joseph Gales, the elder. Gales was an English immigrant, 
whose republican principles had forced him to leave England. In 1810 
Joseph Gales, Jr., became one of the editors of the National Intelligencer 
and was joined in 181 2 by William Seaton, also an English immigrant. 
This paper wielded considerable influence in political circles. Its publica- 
ition was suspended in 1866. 

National Republican Party, the name assumed by those who broke away 
from the old Democratic-Republican party after the defeat of Adams by 
Jackson in 1828. Jackson's drift against the bank, protective tariff and 
other features of Adams' policy brought about their open organization. In 



Dictionary of United States History. 439 

1 83 1 they nominated Clay and indorsed a protective tariff, a system of inter- 
nal improvements, and a cessation of removals from office for political reasons. 
Clay was defeated. In 1S35 the party, reinforced by other elements, took 
the name of Whig. 

National Road. March 29, 1806, Congress authorized the President to 
appoint three commissioners to lay out a road from Cumberland on the 
Potomac, to the Ohio River, and $30,000 were appropriated for the expenses. 
The road was built as far as Illinois in 1838, the last act in its favor being 
of May 25 of that year. The total amount appropriated was $6,821,246. 
Bills appropriating money for this were often opposed in Congress on grounds 
of the unconstitutionality of appropriations for internal improvements. 

National University. The establishment of a National University in 
the central part of the United States was first conceived by George Wash- 
ington about 1790, when the shares he received from the Potomac Company 
had proved so valuable. He wished to appropriate this stock toward the 
founding of such an institution. This stock, and that accruing from the 
James River Company, left by his will for such purposes, were, however, 
divided between two charity schools, one on the James (see Washington and 
Lee University), and one on the Potomac. Washington strongly disap- 
proved of foreign education for the American youth. 

Nationality is determined in the United States by the Federal law and 
not by the State. Members of the nation are, of course, also members of 
the State in which they reside. The Constitution established no rules 
regarding the acquisition or loss of American nationality, which is therefore 
governed by the subsidiary or common law of the land. All persons bom 
within the United States are considered to have acquired nationality. The 
Naturalization Act of 1790 endowed children born of American parents 
beyond the sea Avith American nationality. The act of 1855 restricted this 
to the children of citizen fathers. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 declared 
"all persons born in the United States and not subject to any foreign power " 
to be citizens of the United States. The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) 
defines them as " all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and 
subject to the jurisdiction thereof" 

Naturalization. Section eight of article one of the Constitution empowered 
Congress "to establish an uniform rule of naturalization." This power was 
first exerted in the Act of March 26, 1790, providing that, under certain 
conditions, any free white alien might be admitted to citizenship by any 
court of record of the State in which he resided. These conditions were: 
Previous residence of two years in the United States and of one year in the 
State; good character; and an oath to support the Constitution. These con- 
ditions have undergone changes. An act of 1795 required five, an act of 
1798 fourteen years' residence. The act now in force, of April 14, 1802, 
provides for proof of five years' residence in the United States and of one in 
the State; good character; an oath of allegiance, and a renunciation of titles 
and of prior allegiance. No alien may be naturalized if his country be at 
war with the United States. 



440 CiCTIONARY OF UNITED STATES HiSTORY. 

Navajos, a tribe of Apache Indians, occupying the northern part of New 
]\Iexico and Arizona. The Mexicans continually attempted to reduce them, 
but failed. After long-continued hostilities against the whites. Colonel Car- 
son compelled them in 1863 to leave their country and remove to Bosque 
Redondo as prisoners of the Government. In 1868 they were removed to 
Fort Wingate, and in 1869 were again placed in their old country. 

Naval Academy. This institution was not founded by formal legislation, 
but was begun by the Navy Department when George Bancroft was Secretary 
of the Navy. The first act of Congress regarding it was that of August 10, 
1846, providing $28,200 for repairs, improvements and instruction under the 
direction of the Navy Department at Fort Severn, Annapolis, Md. In 
March, 1847, a like sum was appropriated for the same purpose. During 
the Civil War the Academy was for a time located at Newport, R. I. 

Naval Militia. On March 2, 1891, at the suggestion of Secretary Tracy, 
regarding the importance of a trained naval militia. Congress appropriated 
$25,000 to purchase arms for the militia, to be expended under the direction 
of the Secretary of the Navy. 

Naval Observatory. This bureau was established in 1842 under the 
name of the " Depot for Naval Charts and Instruments." It is under the 
supervision of the Bureau of Navigation. 

Naval Officer, in colonial times, an officer, not of the navy, but of the 
treasury, charged with the execution of the navigation acts. Similarly, 
from the beginning of the present Government in 1789, an official of the 
Treasury Department has, under this name, watched over the execution of 
the American navigation laws at the larger ports, while at the smaller the 
duties have been performed by the collector of the port. 

Naval \A^ar College, a course of lectures on and instruction in the manipu- 
lation of torpedoes. This course was established by the Government at 
Coaster's Harbor Island in Newport in 1S89. The course continues during 
three months each year. The members of the class are chiefly officers and 
men in the torpedo service, though the topics of the lectures are designed to 
correspond with all branches of naval improvement and advancement. 

Navigation Act, a famous marine law first promulgated by the British 
Government in 1651 (or even, in a sense, in 1645) ^^^ ^^^^ protection of Brit- 
ish commerce and the carrying trade. Its renewal with a few changes was 
made in 1660, soon after the accession of Charles II. The act related to five 
subjects: Coasting trade; fisheries; commerce with the colonies; commerce 
with European countries; commerce with Asia, Africa and America, and was 
chiefly a move in England's struggle with the Dutch for the possession of 
the carrying trade of the world. The parts important to American history 
were those providing that all colonial trade should be carried on in ships 
built and owned in England and the colonies, (a provision which powerfully 
stimulated colonial ship-building) and that, in the case of many specified 
goods, trade should be with England only. The act was largely rendered 
inoperative by colonial smuggling. The efforts at last made to enforce it 
were among the chief causes of the Revolution. 



Dictionary of United States History. 441 

Navigation Laws of the United States. In the Convention of 1787 a 
compromise was effected between the New England members, who desired 
that the Federal Government might have the power to regulate commerce, 
and the Southern members, who desired the slave-trade to be kept open for 
a time. Thus the Constitution gave Congress power to pass navigation laws. 
By Act of 1789 a tonnage tax of six cents per ton was levied on all Ameri- 
can vessels, and one of fifty cents a ton on all vessels built and owned in 
foreign countries and entering American ports. In 1792 the act requiring 
American registration was passed. In 1793 the coasting trade was closed to 
foreign vessels. In i8i6, 1817 and 1820 the American navigation laws were 
made still more closely like those of Great Britain. Tonnage taxes were 
renewed at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War, and were raised to 
thirty cents a ton. 

Navy. In 1775 the States began the creation of State naval establish- 
ments. At the end of the year Congress began the organization of a Con- 
tinental navy. Thirteen frigates were ordered to be constructed. With 
these, some exploits were performed. But most of the naval achievements 
of the Revolutionary War were accomplished by the privateers, and by 1781 
all thirteen of the Federal vessels had been either captured or destroyed. 
The one ship of the line completed was presented to the King of France. 
A new navy was created by Congress in 1797 and 1798, when the "Consti- 
tution," "United States" and "Constellation" were built, and the purchase 
of other vessels, to the number of twenty-four, was authorized. Adams and 
the Federalists favored increase of the navy; Jefferson and the Republicans 
disliked it. Jefferson's gunboat system was tried instead, and the American 
navy was allowed to dwindle, until at the outbreak of the War of 181 2 the 
United States had about twenty vessels, as against England's 830. The 
victories won secured larger appropriations that year, and a larger navy 
resulted, which, after the conclusion of this war, was used against Algiers. 
By a resolution of 181 9, ships-of-the-line were to be named after the States, 
frigates after the rivers of the United States, and sloops-of-war after the chief 
cities and towns. At the outbreak of the Civil War there were but forty-two 
vessels in commission, and these had been scattered over the globe by Secre- 
tary Toucey. A new navy had to be constructed, in order to maintain the 
blockade of Southern ports, and to assist the operations of land forces on the 
Atlantic coast, on the Gulf and in inland waters. Steam and armor-plate 
and the invention of the turreted " Monitor " revolutionized naval architec- 
ture during the war. By January i, 1864, the National Government had 588 
vessels (seventy-five of them ironclads), with 4443 guns, and 35,000 men. 
After the war the navy was reduced. Great sums continued to be expended 
upon it, but with so little effect that, in 1882, in a nominal navy of 140 
vessels, there were but thirty-eight that were capable of sea-going service. 
At that time a new policy regarding the navy was inaugurated, and now, 
after great expenditures, the navy consists, including vessels in process of 
construction, of six battleships, twenty-one cruisers, and a dozen or so other 
vessels. The principal achievements of the navy are to be found under the 
names of the vessels. 



442 Dictionary of United States History. 

Navy, Department of the, one of the eight executive departments at Wash- 
ington, was created by an Act of Congress April 30, 1798, and has been 
largely developed in later days. In 1862 the hydrographic office was estab- 
lished. An assistant secretary was added in 1890. 

Neal, John (1793-1876), first came into prominence by his articles upon 
American politics and customs. He was one of the most brilliant journalists 
of his time, dealing with literature, history and biography, and wrote novels 
of some prominence in their day. 

Nebraska originally constituted a portion of the Louisiana cession of 1803. 
The first white men to visit the Nebraska country were Lewis and Clark in 
1804-05. The territory was organized in 1854, May 30, and included, 
besides Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas and part of Colorado. The 
bill for the organization of the territory was introduced by Stephen A. 
Douglas, and provided that any States which should be fonned from the ter- 
ritory should exercise their own choice in regard to the existence of slavery. 
This set aside the famous Missouri Compromise of 1820, and aroused the 
utmost indignation at the North. In 1863 the territory was reduced to its 
present limits, and in 1867 it became a State. The State has been Republi- 
can, except in the year 1890, when a Democratic Governor was elected. 
The population in 1867 was 60,000; in 1890 it was 1,058,910. 

Necessity, Fort (July 3, 1754). From Great Meadows Washington had 
advanced toward Fort Duquesne, but hearing that a large detachment of 
French were on foot he fell back to his former position. Here he hastily 
erected a rude entrenchment which he called Fort Necessity. On July ist 
his garrison amounted to about 300 men. The French numbered nearly 
500, including Indians. On July 3d they approached the fort in a pouring 
rain. The French had a superior position, and the fight raged intermittently 
for nine hours. At length a parley sounded, and after little delay the garri- 
son capitulated with honors of war, surrendering prisoners taken at Great 
Meadows and being assured of unmolested retreat. 

Negro Plot. March 18, 1741, a fire occurred in the chapel and barracks 
at Fort George on the Battery in New York. It was generally believed to be 
accidental, but charges were set afloat that it arose from a plot by the negroes 
to bum the town. Eight other fires of a mysterious nature within a month 
strengthened this belief. Mary Burton, a servant of one John Hughson, 
furnished testimony implicating a number of sailors and negroes. Twenty 
whites and over 160 slaves were seized and imprisoned. Finally Mary Bur- 
ton's accusations inculpated persons of such character that danger from that 
direction checked the fury. It was charged that the Spanish were inciting 
plots among the negroes through Roman Catholic priests. Four whites were 
hanged, eighteen negroes hanged and thirteen burned at the stake. 

Negro Troops were employed to a slight extent in the Revolutionary 
War. Though a few generals made use of them in the first two years of the 
Civil War, and Congress authorized their employment at the Sea Islands, 
the first general provision for their enlistment was made in July, 1863. 
After that they were employed in considerable numbers, and at times with 
great success. 



Dictionary of United States History. 443 

"Negroes. In 1790 there were 757,000 colored people in tlie United States; 
in 1800 there were 1,002,000; in 1810, 1,378,000; in 1820, 1,772,000; in 
1830, 2,329,000; in 1840, 2,874,000; in 1850, 3,639,000; in i860, 4,442,000; 
in 1870, 4,880,000; in 1880, 6,581,000; in 1890, 7,470,000. (See also 
Slavery.) 

Neill, Edward D. (1823-1893), of Minnesota, was a chaplain during the 
Civil War. He has written " English Colonization in America," " Concise 
History of Minnesota," and extensive works upon the histories of Virginia 
and Maryland, the chief being " The Virginia Company of London " and 
-" Terra Marice." 

Nelson, Samuel (1792-1873), of New York, was a Circuit Judge from 
1823 to 1 83 1. He was a Justice of the New York Supreme Court from 1831 
to 1837 and its Chief Justice from 1837 to 1845. He was a Justice of the 
U. S. Supreme Court from 1845 to 1872. He was a member of the Joint 
High Commission, which in 187 1 negotiated the Treaty of Washington. 

Nelson, Thomas (1738-1789), was a member of the Virginia Conventions 
of 1774, 1775 and 1776. He represented Virginia in the Continental Con- 
gress from 1776 to 1777 and in 1779. He signed the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence. He was Governor of Virginia in 1781. He expended his vast 
estate for the colonial cause. 

Nelson, William (1825-1862), of Kentucky, organized several regiments 
in 1 861. He commanded a division at Shiloh and Richmond. He com- 
manded Louisville when threatened by General Bragg in 1862. He was 
shot in an altercation with General J. C. Davis. 

Nelson's Farm. (See Glendale.) 

Netherlands. The republic of the United Netherlands was one of the 
5rst to welcome the United States into the sisterhood of nations. Her wil- 
lingness to establish commercial relations led to a rupture with Great 
Britain. In 1782 a treaty of amity and commerce was concluded, which 
became abrogated by the republic of the United Netherlands losing its 
independence. At the Congress of Vienna the kingdom of the Netherlands 
was established, from which Belgium revolted in 1830. A commercial treaty 
was signed in 1839, and consular conventions in 1855 and 1878. A conven- 
tion relative to extradition was concluded in 1880. (See Belgium.) 

Neutrality, Armed. (See Armed Neutrality.) 

Neutrality, Proclamation of. Upon the declaration of war between 
France and Great Britain in 1793 it was decided unanimously by President 
Washington and his Cabinet that a proclamation of neutrality should issue 
and that a French minister should be received. Jay was appointed to draft 
the proclamation. It declared the intention of the United States to pursue 
a line of conduct friendly to both nations, and enjoined upon the citizens to 
avoid a contravention of this disposition under pain of prosecution. Curi- 
ously enough the word " neutrality " was omitted in the proclamation, 
though enforced with fairness by the President. It was probably purposely 
omitted. 



444 Dictionary of United States History. 

Neuville, Jean G., Baron Hyde de (1776-1847), was exiled to the United 
States from France from 1806 to 1814. He was French Minister to the 
United States from 1816 to 1822, and negotiated the French treaty of 1822. 

Nevada was formed from the Mexican cession of 1848. Prior to that 
date no settlement had been made in the State. In that year settlements 
were made by Mormons in the Carson and Washoe Valleys. In 1859 silver 
was .discovered. In 1861 Nevada was organized as a territory, and October 
31, 1864, it was admitted as a State. In 1866 its territory was increased by 
portions of Arizona and Utah. Until 1870 the Republicans controlled the 
State. In that year the Democrats elected the Governor, who was re-elected 
in 1874. In 1880 the Presidential electors were Democratic, in 1892 they 
were of the People's party. The population of the State in 1864 was 40,000; 
in 1890 it was 45,761. 

New Albion. The name given to what is now Upper California and 
Oregon by Sir Francis Drake in 1579. In that year Drake took possession 
of this territory in the Queen's name, but it was not claimed by the British 
till three centuries later. — June 21, 1634, Sir Edmund Plowden obtained a 
grant of territory, called in the letters patent " New Albion." The boundaries 
of this New Albion were so defined as to include all of New Jersey, Mary- 
land, Delaware and Pennsylvania embraced in a square, the eastern side, 
forty leagues in length, extending from Sandy Hook to Cape May, together 
with Long Island and all other " isles and islands within ten leagues of the 
shore." The province was made a county palatine with Plowden as earl. 
Little effort at settlement was made, and nothing come of the grant. 

New Amsterdam. (See New York City.) 

New Archangel. (See Sitka.) 

New Bedford, Mass., was set off from Dartmouth, of which it was orig- 
inally a part, in 1787. It received a city charter in 1847. Its history as a 
great whaling port began as early as 1755. 

New Berne, or Newbern, at one time capital of the province of North 
Carolina, was founded about 1693 by Christopher de Grafenried, a Swiss baron. 
During the Civil War, Newbern was an important seaport in the possession of 
the Confederates. It was captured and partially burned by the Union leader, 
Burnside, March 14, 1862. The gunboats shelled the woods as Burnside 
advanced, thereby clearing the way. An insignificant fortification was 
destroyed near the town. Burnside captured forty-six guns, three light 
batteries and a large amount of stores. Later, in 1864, Newbern was 
occupied by the Federal General, Foster, with a small force. Pickett com- 
manded the Confederates in that section then. February i and 2, he 
attacked Foster's outposts and captured them, inflicting slight losses. Then 
he assaulted the main encampment, sending at the same time a regiment to 
attack the Federal gunboat, " Underwriter," then lying at the Newbern 
dock. Little was accomplished by these attacks, and Pickett retired. 

New England. The name was first given to the region by Captain John 
Smith, in his map of 1616. Though formed into separate colonies and 



Dictionary of United States History. 445 

States, the region has always had a certain degree of unity, as a region of 
Puritan colonies, of similar religious and political predilections and similar 
industries and economic life. In 1643 most of its colonies were united in 
the New England Confederation. See United Colonies of New England. 

New England, Council for, a " Council established at Plymouth, in the 
county of Devon, for the planting, ordering, ruling and governing of New 
England in America." It was incorporated November 3, 1620, and was lit- 
tle else than the reorganization of the Plymouth, or North Virginia Com- 
pany of 1606. Ferdinando Gorges was the moving spirit of the new 
corporation. Bradford obtained from this company a patent pennitting the 
settlement of the Pilgrim Fathers. In 162 1 Gorges obtained an additional 
grant of territory called Laconia, which comprised parts of the present States 
of Maine and New Hampshire. The lands of the new company, which now 
extended from Long Island to the Bay of Fundy, were distributed among 
twenty noblemen. 

" New England Courant," the fourth newspaper published in the colo- 
nies. It was established in 1721 at Boston, by James Franklin, who had 
been deprived of the printing of the Boston News Letter. Franklin's friends 
were much opposed to the publication of a new journal, for they thought one 
quite sufficient for the entire continent. But Franklin inaugurated a new 
departure in journalism by attacking the Government officials and lampoon- 
ing the clergy. On this account the suppression of his paper was threat- 
ened, whereupon Benjamin Franklin assumed the editorship, and continued 
the publication with the same freedom. It was finally suppressed in 1727. 

New England Emigrant Company, a corporation formed at Boston in 
1855 to control emigration to the newly formed Territory of Kansas in the 
interest of the anti-slavery party. Slavery in Kansas had been made possible 
by the adoption of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and slavery advocates in Mis- 
souri were actively at work for its establishment. The Emigrant Company 
aided immeasurably in making Kansas a free State. 

New England Shilling, the name given to the first coins issued in 1652 
by the mint established in that year at Boston. They were of the value 
of " 1 2d, 6d and 3d peeces," stamped N E on the face and XII, VI or III on 
the reverse to denote the value. The value of the first named equaled 
eighteen and one-fourth cents. 

New France was founded by Champlain's settlement of Quebec in 1608. 
Cultivating friendly relations with the Indians, fur-traders soon explored the 
St. lyawrence basin, the Great Lakes and the Mississippi, while Jesuit missions 
still further extended French influence. But the province was over-governed 
by Louis XIV., and though some of the governors were able men, the 
creation of a strong empire was prevented by paternalism, crushing out all 
individual initiative, by excessive centralization, by official corruption and 
by religious bigotry. In 1690 the English colonies had eight times as large 
a population, in 1754 twenty times as great. But New France proved her- 
self strong in a militan,' sense. See the wars, — King William's War, Queen 
Anne's W^ar, King George's War, French and Indian War, and the chief 



446 Dictionary of United States History. 

officials, Frontenac and Montcalm. The final struggle was for the posses- 
sion of the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, and was a part of the Seven Years' 
War. Its result was, to prevent the French scheme of connecting Canada 
and Louisiana in one great empire, and entirely to destroy New France. 
The Treaty of Paris (1763) gave it all to England. Histories by Parkman. 

New Granada. (See Colombia.) 

New Hampshire was one of the original thirteen States. In 1622 Sir 
Ferdinando Gorges and John Mason obtained a grant of the land lying 
between the Merrimac and the Kennebec rivers. Rye, Dover and Ports- 
mouth were settled by Churchmen and royalists. In 1629 Mason obtained a 
separate grant for the territory between the Merrimac and the Piscataqua. 
Upon the death of Mason the colony was left to itself until 1641, when it 
was annexed to Massachusetts. In 1679 New Hampshire was made a royal 
province; in 1685 it was again annexed to Massachusetts, and in 1749 it 
again became a royal province. At the outbreak of the Revolution, in 1775, 
New Hampshire was advised by the general government to form a tempo- 
rary government. Constitutions were adopted in 1776, 1784 and 1792, whic> 
last has been twice amended in 1852 and 1877. The National Constitutior 
was ratified with difficulty, June 21, 1788, by a vote of 57 to 46. At first 
New Hampshire was Federalist. In 1805 the Democrats secured control of 
the State, which they held until 1855, except in the years 1809-1810, 1813- 
1816. The Democrats attacked the charter of Dartmouth College in 1816, 
and the case was argued successfully in favor of the royal charter before the 
U. S. Supreme Court by Daniel Webster. Complaints were made in 1829 
by Hill and Woodbury, the Jackson leaders in the State, that Mason, the 
president of the Portsmouth branch of the U. S. Bank, was guilty of par- 
tiality in his loans. This led to the bank troubles of Jackson's administra- 
tion. From 1856 to 1894 the State was usually Republican. The popula- 
tion in 1790 was 141,885; in 1890 it was 376,530. History- by Belknap. 

" New Hampshire Gazette," a newspaper established in 1756 at Ports- 
mouth, N. H., by D. Fowle. This was the first newspaper in the State. In 
1772 it was called the New Hampshire Gazette and Historical Chronicle; 
in 1776 the Freeman' s Jotirnal or New Ha7npshire Gazette; in 1788 the Nezv 
Hampshire Gazette and General Advertiser; in 1796 the New Hampshire 
Gazette again. It is now published as the weekly edition of the Daily 
Chronicle^ established in 1852. 

New Hampshire Grants. (See Vermont.) 

New Hampshire Historical Society, founded in 1823, has issued nine 
volumes of " Collections " and a volume of its proceedings. 

New Haven Colony. In 1638 a body of immigrants under Theophilus 
Eaton and John Davenport settled at Ouinnipiack, on the Sound, where 
they lived for a year without government other than religious unity. Then 
they formed a government and established the New Haven colony. This 
colony entered the New England Confederacy, formed in 1643 for protection 
against the Canada settlers, the Dutch and Indians. In 1662 the younger Win- 
throp obtained from Charles II. a charter for the Connecticut colony, which 



Dictionary of United States History. 447 

charter included the New Haven colony. The latter resisted obstinately for 
many months, and was supported by Massachusetts and Plymouth. On the 
arrival of the royal commission, she was forced to give way and become 
absorbed in Connecticut (1664). 

New Ireland. In 1779, a British force and fleet under McNeill and Mow- 
att held possession of what is now known as the Castine peninsula, in 
Maine. An expedition was sent from Boston to dislodge them. This 
failed. The British, as a result of their success, endeavored the next year 
to erect Maine into a province under the name of New Ireland. 

New Jersey was one of the original thirteen States. The Dutch made a 
small settlement in the south, and in 1655, under Governor Stuyvesant, 
erected Fort Nassau on the Delaware River, and forced the Swedes, who had 
made a settlement in 1638, to acknowledge their rule. When the Duke of 
York secured the country, in 1664, he granted the territory between the 
Delaware and the Hudson to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, and 
gave it its present name in honor of Carteret, who had held the island of 
Jersey for Charles 11. during the Great Rebellion. In 1665 some English 
emigrants settled Elizabethtown. New Englanders founded Middletown 
and Newark in 1666. Berkeley finally sold his share to certain Quakers, 
who sola it to a party headed by William Penn (1676). A boundary line 
was agreed upon, running from Little Egg Harbor northwest to the Delaware 
at 41° 40' north latitude. 400 Quakers settled in West New Jersey in 1677. 
William Penn and his associates purchased East New Jersey in 1682. In 
1686 writs of guo warranto were issued against .the governments of both 
Jerseys, but the proprietary rights were undisturbed. The two colonies 
were united in a royal colony in 1702. New Jersey was a principal theatre 
of fights in 1777 and 1778. First Constitution, 1776 (present, 1844). 
New Jersey ratified the National Constitution December 18, 1787. A pro- 
perty qualification of ^,^50 for voting existed until 1820. The political par- 
ties have always been nearly equal, and have experienced few changes in 
strength. During the war the State was strongly Democratic. Since the 
war the State has cast its votes for Democratic Presidential candidates with 
the exception of 1872. The State Legislature has usually been in the 
hands of the Republicans. The population of the State in 1790 was 184,- 
139; in 1890 it was 1,444,933. History by Scott. 

New Jersey Historical Society, founded in 1845, has issued eight vol- 
umes of " Collections " and twenty volumes of its proceedings. 

New Jersey Plan, a scheme of a Federal Constitution suggested in the 
Convention of 1787 by William Paterson, of New Jersey, June 15. It 
proposed: The enlargement and correction of the Articles of Confederation; 
that Congress should remain a single body, and should regulate taxation and 
commerce, and should choose the executive; that requisitions from States 
should be continued; that a judiciar\' should be established; that naturaliza- 
tion should be uniform; that the executive should coerce refractory States or 
individuals, and other provisions of less importance. This plan was unfavor- 
ably reported, the Randolph plan being preferred, as creating a stronger 
government and doing more to remedy the defects of the Confederation. 



448 Dictionary of United States History. 

New Jerseymen Foreigners. The saying that New Jersey is a foreign 
State conies down from the time when Joseph Bonaparte, ex-king of Spain 
and Naples, after the downfall of Napoleon, sought an asylum in the United 
States. As an alien he was obliged to obtain a special act of legislature to 
enable him to hold real estate. Pennsylvania refused, but New Jersey con- 
sented, and he established himself in princely magnificence at Bordentown. 
Hence men of other States used humorously to declare that the Jerseymen, 
with their foreign prince, were foreigners, and their State not a part of the 
Union. 

"New Lights," religious revivalists in Massachusetts and Connecticut 
in 1734 and for some years later, during the period known as the "Great 
Awakening." The movement was started by Jonathan Edwards and became 
a wild passion under the ministrations of George Whitefield. The " New 
Lights" were so called in contradistinction to the " Old Lights," or more 
conservative churchmen. 

New London, Conn. In 1781 New London was a resort of privateers 
and a favorite depot for the West India trade. September 7, the traitor, 
Benedict Arnold, was sent by Clinton against this town. He succeeded in 
plundering and destroying a large amount of property. Fort Griswold, on 
the opposite side of the Thames, was carried, and its commander. Colonel 
Ledyard, and sixty soldiers mercilessly killed. Arnold retired when the 
militia began to assemble. (See also Blue Lights.) 

New Madrid, Mo., a strong Confederate position, fortified by General 
Leonidas Polk and garrisoned by troops from Beauregard's command. It was 
captured by the Federals under General Pope, March 14, 1862. Pope had 
been dispatched by Halleck for this purpose and, moving down the Missis- 
sippi River, had encamped two miles from New Madrid. Siege guns having 
been brought from Cairo, General Plunimer was sent by night to sink trenches 
and place sharp-shooters. This having been accomplished, firing began early 
March 13. Three of the six Confederate gunboats were speedily disabled, 
and the next night, in the midst of a storm, New Madrid was evacuated. 
Many valuable supplies were captured. 

New Mexico was organized as a Territory September 9, 1850, from terri- 
tory acquired from Mexico. The Spaniard Nuiiez visited the country in 
1537, and Coronado in 1540. In 1581 Bonillo explored the region and 
named it New Mexico. Santa Fe was founded about 1609. The Spaniards 
had great difficulty with the Pueblo Indians. General Kearny captured 
Santa Fe in 1846, and two years later, by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 
the United States came into possession of New Mexico. The Territory of 
New Mexico was organized by Act of Congress September 9, 1850. In 1853 
a portion of the "Gadsden Purchase" was annexed. In 1866 the Territory- 
was finally reduced to its present boundaries. The fear that a State church 
would be established by the Mexicans in the State has prevented its admis- 
sion into the Union. The population of the Territory in 1890 was 153,593. 
History by Bancroft, 

New Netherland, (See New York.) 



Dictionary of United States History. 449 

New Netherlands Company. This company was formed in 1615 after 
the ascent of Hudson River by the Englishman who gave that river his 
name. Hudson was at that time in the employ of Holland. The company 
was founded by Amsterdam merchants, who obtained a monopoly of the 
trade for three years, and established a settlement at Manhattan and trading 
posts on the Delaware River. The company was succeeded by the Dutch 
West India Company. 

New Orange, the name given to the city of New York in 1673, when the 
colony of New Netherland was retaken from England by the States General 
of Holland. It was so called in honor of the Prince of Orange. 

New Orleans, La., was founded in 1718 by Jean Baptiste Lemoyne de 
Bienville, and a few years later (1722) was made the capital of the vast terri- 
tory known as Louisiana. In 1765 the town received the exiles from 
Acadia, and in 1768 rose in anns against the cession of Louisiana to Spain. 
The following year the people were compelled to submit by a large Spanish 
force. In 1788 and 1794 the town was almost totally destroyed by fire. In 
1803 the city, with the rest of Louisiana, was turned over to France, and by 
France to the United States. In 1807, Burr's conspiracy was here foiled, 
and on January 8, 1815, occurred the battle of New Orleans. In December, 
1 814, 7000 British troops, under General Pakenham, were transported from 
Jamaica to Lake Borgne for an attack on New Orleans. General Jackson 
made every possible preparation to resist them. On December 23, Decem- 
ber 28 and January i, he had gained minor successes over them. But 
Pakenham was reinforced to 10,000 men. The decisive battle occurred on 
January 8, 181 5. General Jackson with 5000 men drew up his first line in 
three detachments, two on the left bank and one of 800 men under General 
Morgan on the right bank. The line was defended by numerous batteries 
and redoubts, and by an armed vessel, the " Louisiana." General Paken- 
ham, with 10,000 veteran troops, planned an attack in three divisions. On 
the night before the battle Colonel Thornton was ordered to cross the river 
and attack General Morgan. At dawn, the British second division, under 
General Gibbs, attacked Jackson's left, and soon after, the third division, 
under General Keane, attacked the right. This last movement was at first 
successful and captured part of Jackson's works, but the battery and musketry 
fire was so deadly that they fell back in disorder. Meantime from this divis- 
ion General Keane had detached half to assist the second division under 
General Gibbs. This had attacked Jackson's strongest position. As they 
advanced to the charge they were killed by the hundreds, yet did not falter. 
When within 200 yards of the American line, the Kentucky and Tennessee 
riflemen, deadly shots, four ranks deep, fired line by line. The slaughter 
was terrible, but the British, now reinforced by General Keane's troops, 
pressed on up to the yevy parapets. But Generals Pakenham and Gibbs 
were both mortally wounded. General Keane and Major Wilkinson, the 
next in command, were so severely wounded that they were carried from 
the field and the British fell back in disorder. Colonel Thornton's division 
had meantime captured General Morgan's position on the right bank of the 
river, but was recalled in view of the defeat on the other side. The British 
lost in this battle 700 killed, 1400 wounded, and 500 prisoners. The American 
29 



450 Dictionary of United States History. 

loss was eight killed and thirteen wounded. Occurring after the con- 
clusion of peace at Ghent, the battle had no lasting results, but was famous 
as the one great success won by American land forces in the War of 1812. 
In the Civil War New Orleans was captured and occupied. May i, 1862, by 
Captain Farragut and General Butler, after four days, April 24 to 27, inclu- 
sive, spent in bombarding Forts Jackson aud St. Philip, the Confederate 
strongholds below the city, and in defeating the Confederate fleet. The 
Union armament consisted of four sloops of war, seventeen gunboats, twenty- 
one bomb-schooners, these latter in charge of Commander Porter, and two 
sailing vessels. Lovell, for the Confederates, commanded thirteen armed 
steamers, the steam battery " Louisiana," of sixteen guns, and the ram 
" Manassas," besides a flotilla of five ships and rafts. There was in addition 
a land force of some 3000 men. Crossing the bar April 8, Farragut spent 
several days in preparing for a bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. 
Philip. April 27 the bombardment began, 1400 shells being thrown in one 
day. The Union fleet was then arranged in two columns and prepared to 
pass the forts, Farragut's column firing upon Fort Jackson, Bailey's upon 
Fort St. Philip. A chain had been placed across the river, but this was 
broken; the "Hartford," Farragut's ship, got safely through under cover 
of Porter's mortar-boats, and the others followed. The forts were silenced, 
and the Confederate flotilla attacked and almost entirely destroyed. Lovell 
fled and Farragut demanded the surrender of New Orleans from the mayor. 
This was finally granted and Butler took charge. In 1890, great excitement 
against murderous Italians led to lynchings by a mob. 

New Plymouth. (See Plymouth Colony.) 

New Somersetshire, a grant of territory extended to William Gorges in 
1636, and comprising those settlements along the coast of Maine, which had 
not been included in the Ferdinando Gorges patent of 1631. William 
Gorges was appointed Deputy-Governor. 

New Sweden, the name given to the colony which the Swedes in 1638 
established on the Delaware River and Bay. (See Delaware.) 

New York was one of the original thirteen colonies. Henry Hudson, in 
the employ of the Dutch East India Company, discovered the Hudson River 
(1609) while seeking for a passage to India. The Dutch carried on fur trade 
with the Indians with no serious attempt at colonization until (1621) the for- 
mation of the Dutch West India Company, when the patroon system was 
introduced (which gave rise to the anti-rent difficulties of 1839-46). Set- 
tlements were made at Fort Nassau (Albany) 1614, and New Amsterdam (New 
York) 1623. The four Dutch Governors were Minuit, Van Twiller, Kieft 
and Stuyvesant. In 1664 Nicolls captured the colony for the English and 
introduced the mixed system of local government. At this time the popu- 
lation was very heterogeneous, eighteen languages being spokon. Andros 
was made Governor of New England and New York in 1688. His deputy, 
Nicholson, was overthrown in New York by Leisler. In 1690 the first 
colonial congress met at Albany to consider Indian troubles. About 1700 
Captain Kidd, the pirate, was captured. The " negro plot " of 1741 caused 
terrible excitement. During the Revolution the State contained many 



Dictionary of United States History. 451 

Tories. In 1777 the first State Constitution was adopted (others, 1821 and 
1846). The National Constitution was with difficulty adopted July 26, 
1788. The political history of New York until 1807 was a struggle of the 
great families for control. In 1798 Burr introduced the "machine" into the 
politics of New York City. The Livingstons and Clintons introduced the 
.spoils system in 1801, From 1823 to 1850 New York was for the most part 
under the control of the Albany Regency. When Van Buren entered Jack- 
son's Cabinet he carried the practical methods used by the Regency into 
national politics. The Erie Canal was opened in 1825, and the following 
year the first railroad, the Hudson and Mohawk, was chartered. In 1826 
William Morgan, who had divulged some of the secrets of the Masonic 
Order, disappeared, and the Masons were charged with his murder. The 
Anti-Masonic party was formed and nominated William Wirt, of Virginia, 
for President in 1831. The " loco focos " opposed the grant of special bank- 
ing privileges. The " hunkers " desired the extension of the canal system^ 
the " barn-burners " its restriction. In 1850 the Regency disappeared. In 
1855 the "know-nothing" party elected State officers below the Governor. 
After this the State was Republican until 1862, when the Democrats elected 
the Governor. During the Civil War the State furnished 467,047 troops to 
the Union army. In 1873 the Democratic party was thoroughly organized 
by Samuel J. Tilden. In 1871-72 William M. Tweed was convicted of 
peculation in New York City. The failure of Jay Cooke & Co. caused a 
financial panic in 1873. John Kelly led a revolt of Tammany against the 
regular Democratic candidate, Robinson, in 1879, and caused the election of 
a Republican Governor. Garfield refused to grant the control of the patron- 
age in New York to the Senators, Conkling and Piatt, whereupon they 
resigned their seats and appealed to the Legislature for re-election, but were 
defeated in July, 1881. A division of Republicans into " stalwarts " and 
" half breeds " followed. In recent years the Republicans have carried the 
elections of the years 1872, 1879, 1881, 1883, 1888 and 1893. In 1882 
Cleveland was elected Governor by a majority of 192,854. A constitutional 
convention sits in 1894. The population of New York, which in 1790 was 
340,120, in 1890 was 5,997,853. The fifth State in 1790, it became the most 
populous in 1820, and has remained such ever since. History by Roberts. 

New York City, formerly called New Amsterdam, was settled by the 
Dutch in 1623. ^^ August, 1664, the city surrendered to the British under 
the Duke of York, and the name was changed to New York, an English 
form of government being established. In July, 1673, the Dutch recaptured 
the city and named it New Orange. It was restored to the British crown, 
however, on November 10 of the following year. The English government 
granted liberal charters to the city in 1686 and 1732. In 1688 occurred 
Leisler's revolt. In 1741 a supposed plot of negro slaves to bum the city 
and murder the whites was discovered, and a number of negroes were hanged 
or burned at the stake. In 1765 a congress of colonial delegates, called the 
Stamp Act Congress, met in this city and drew up a declaration of rights 
against Great Britain's arbitrary taxation. In 1774 a ship laden with tea 
was sent back to England, and chests on another vessel were thrown over- 
board. \fter the battle of Long Island the city fell into the hands of the 



^52 Dictionary of United States History. 

British who occupied it until the close of the Revolution. From 1784 to 
1797 New York was the State capital and from 1785 to 1790 the seat of the 
United States Government. Washington was inaugurated here April 30, 
17S9. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 made New York the outlet 
■of the surplus produce of the West. In July, 1863, a serious draft riot 
■occurred. In 1872 the "Tweed Ring," which had been plundering the city 
through the possession of the municipal offices, was broken up. The era 
of elevated railroads began in 1878. Columbia College was incorporated 
here in 1754 as King's College. The population of the city was in 1790, 
33,131; 1810, 96,373; 1820, 123,706; 1840, 312,710; i860, 805,658; 1870, 
•942,292; 1880, 1,206,299; 1890, 1,515,301. 

" New York Gazette," established as first news journal of New York by 
"^''illiam Bradford in New York City, 1725. It was discontinued about 1742, 
ibut was begun again the same year by James Parker as the Gazette and 
Weekly Post Boy. Parker formed a partnership with Holt. The latter 
published the paper alone for some years, but then relinquished it to Parker, 
-when he started his Journal. Parker died in 1770, and the Gazette survived 
liim only two years, most of its subscribers having followed Holt and the 
Journal. It was finally suspended in 1772. This newspaper was the organ 
of the New York government and steadily supported the latter through a 
period of bitter controversy. 

" New York Herald," established May 6, 1835, by James Gordon Bennett. 
The price was one penny, and the first numbers were printed on a four page 
paper 30 x 24. The Herald was a lively competitor with the Siin for the 
•support of the masses. From its beginning a specialty was made of ship- 
ping news. The editor proposed that the Herald should be an independent 
journal. The price was afterward raised to three cents. 

New York Historical Society was founded in 1804 and incorporated in 
1:809. It has published twenty-five volumes of " Collections," and four vol- 
aimes of its proceedings. 

" New York Packet and American Advertiser." This newspaper was 
founded in New York City, in 1776, by Samuel Loudon and was at first 
issued as a weekly. It was afterward removed to Fishkill, but brought back 
to New York after the Revolution and published there during several years 
^s a daily. It was then suspended. 

" New York Sun," first successful penny paper established in the United 
States. It was founded in September, 1833, by Benjamin H. Day, a printer, 
■who promised in his prospectus to publish all the news of the day for one 
penny. The success of the paper was due rather to the demand of the people 
for such a journal than to its able management. The first number was a 
folio of twelve columns, ten inches to the column. The price was raised to 
two cents per copy after the Civil War. 

"New York Times," established in 1850 by Henry J. Raymond, who had 
"been associated with Horace Greeley in the editorship of the Tribune. The 
Times had a strong financial backing and gained an immediate success. It 
became a member of the Associated Press in the year of its initial appear- 
ance, and remained one of the most important of American papers. 



Dictionary of United States History. 



45S 



" New York Tribune," established April lo, 1841, by Horace Greeley, as 
a penny paper. Its success was assured from the start, although the Sun 
endeavored to hinder its circulation. Greeley's assistants were Henry J. 
Raymond, and Charles A. Dana, present editor of the New York Sun. 
George William Curtis, Bayard Taylor, Albert Brisbane and otlier distin- 
guished writers contributed to its columns. 

" New York Weekly Journal," the second newspaper issued in the colony- 
of New York. It is considered a prototype of the modern American politi- 
cal journal. John Peter Zenger established this paper in New York City in. 
1733, the first issue appearing November 3. It was founded avowedly for 
the purpose of opposing the administration of Governor Cosby. The 
columns were filled with sharp criticisms and poetical fusillades, contributed, 
by opponents of the Government. Its publication was suspended in 1752,, 
but revived by John Holt in 1766, with new types and printing apparatus. 

Newark, N. J., was founded in 1666 by a company of Puritans from Con- 
necticut. It was at first governed mainly according to Mosaic law. During: 
the Revolution the town was several times ravaged. 

Newberry, John S. (1822-1892), geologist, has made extensive exploratioiE 
in the Western United States, which revealed the vast resources of the West. 
He conducted the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Department from 1861 to> 
1866. 

Newburg, N. Y., founded in 1708 by a band of Germans under a grant 
from Queen Anne. The town was afterward settled chiefly by the Scotch; 
and English, who gave it the name of Newburg in 1743. A new patent 
was obtained in 1752, and the town was systematically laid out. In 1782, 
after the defeat of Cornwallis, Washington encamped his army at Newburg- 
Here the army was disbanded April 19, 1783. 

Newburg Addresses, two anonymous appeals issued in 1783 to the 
officers of Washington's army, then encamped at Newburg, to hold a 
meeting for the consideration of the question of the money then due them 
by Congress. The addresses were written by Captain Armstrong, of Penn- 
sylvania, and were supposed to have been instigated by the Gates faction. 
Washington immediately denounced the meeting as subversive of discipline^ 
and called a regular meeting of the officers for March 16. Gates was placedl 
in the chair, and Washington's friends carried motions declaring " their 
unshaken confidence in Congress," and denouncing the "infamous pro- 
posals " of the anonymous addresses. 

Newburyport, Mass., was settled in 1635. It was distinguished for its; 
patriotism during the Revolution and in the War of 1812, and was dowm 
to that time an important shipping port. 

Newcomb, Simon, bom in 1835, came to the United States from Canada 
in 1853. Since 1884 he has been professor of mathematics in the Johns; 
Hopkins University. For his astronomical work he has received the highest 
honors at home and abroad. 

Newgate Prison. (See Simsbury.) 



454 Dictionary of United States History. 

Newmarket, in the southwestern part of Virginia. Near this place, May 
15, 1864, Sigel, with 10,000 Federal troops, was defeated by Breckinridge, 
commanding about an equal force of Confederates. The Federals were aiming 
at the Confederate resources near Staunton and Lynchburg, and Breckin- 
ridge moved to meet them. There was some skirmishing and then Breck- 
inridge ordered a charge which decided the day. In this fight 225 cadets 
from the Virginia Military Institute took part. 

Newport, Christopher, born in England about 1565, was one of the 
founders of Jamestown, Va., in 1606. In 1608 he brought settlers and sup- 
plies to the colonists from England and returned with a cargo of yellow 
mica, thinking it was gold. He again came over in 1610 with Lord Dela- 
ware. He returned to England in 161 2. He wrote "Discoveries in 
America." 

Newport, R. I., was settled in 1638 by a party of colonists from Massa- 
chusetts under William Coddington. Newport was in the last centur>' an 
important seat of commerce. It early resisted the overbearing policy of the 
British Government, and her citizens burned the English sloop " Liberty," 
stationed in the harbor to exact an unpopular tax. During the Revolution 
8,000 British and Hessian troops held the town and committed ravages on 
all sides. On their retirement many prominent Loyalist citizens emigrated 
with them. Newport contains the " Old Stone Mill," supposed by some to 
have been built by the Northmen. It was permanently incorporated as a 
city in 1853. 

" Newport Mercury," the second newspaper published in Rhode Island. 
It was founded and edited by James Franklin, and the first numbers 
appeared at Newport in September, 1758. This journal attained consider- 
able success, becoming at once self-supporting. It has never been suspended 
since the first publication, and continues at the present time under the 
original title. 

Newspapers. The first genuine newspaper established in the United 
States was the Bostofi Nezvs Letter^ founded at Boston in 1704 by Postmaster 
John Campbell, and continued until 1776. Previous to this there had been 
issued at Boston three publications of one number each. Of these the first, 
called a Newspaper Extraordinary, consisted wholly of extracts from a letter 
of Dr. Increase Mather, who was then in London endeavoring to obtain a 
new charter for Massachusetts. This letter was published by Samuel Green 
in 1689. On September 25, 1690, appeared the first and only number of 
Piiblick Occurrences Foi-eign and Domestic, issued by Benjamin Harris. The 
authorities promptly seized and suppressed the paper as " a pamphlet pub- 
lished contrary to law and containing reflections of a ven,' high nature." In 
1697 ^- Green and J. Allen republished a news letter, bearing no title, which 
had been issued in London the same year. It was printed on a single page, 
and contained small news items from the continent. After the Boston News 
letter, there appeared in 1719 the Boston Gazette, Andrew Bradford issuing 
the American Weekly Merairy at Philadelphia the same year. James 
Franklin established the New Engla7id Conrant at Boston two years later. 
This was suppressed for its attacks upon the Government and clergy-, but was 



Dictionary of United States History. 455 

revived by Beujamin Franklin. William Bradford began the Gazette at 
New York in 1725, and John Peter Zenger the New York Weekly Journal 
in 1733, in the cause of the people against the Colonial Government. Zen- 
ger's paper may be regarded as a prototype of the modern news journal. 
Newspapers were founded in the other colonies in the following order: In 
Maryland, at Annapolis, in 1727; in South Carolina, at Charleston, in 1731; 
in Rhode Island, at Newport, in 1731; in Virginia, at Williamsburg, in 1736; 
in North Carolina, at New Berne, in 1755; in Connecticut, at New Haven, 
in 1755; in New Hampshire, at Portsmouth, in 1756; in Georgia, at Savan- 
nah, in 1763; in Vermont, at Westminster, in 1781. Between 1704 and 1775 
seventy-eight different newspapers had been printed with varied success in 
the colonies. Of these, thirty-nine were in actual process of publication at 
the outbreak of the Revolution. The papers most influential in advancing 
the revolutionary cause were the Boston Gazette and the Massachusetts Spy. 
On the British occupation of Boston, New York and Philadelphia, most of 
the Whig journals were suspended. It has been estimated that the thirty- 
nine newspapers of 1775 circulated about 1,200,000 copies annually. After 
the Federal Constitution was adopted the new.spapers fell largely into the 
hands of English immigrants, men of versatility and talent. Violent parti- 
san controversies arose. The most influential papers of this period were the 
Columbian Ccntincl^ published at Boston during forty years, commencing in 
17S4, by Benjamin Russell; the Neiv York Minerva^ established at New 
York in 1793 by Noah Webster; the Nczv York Evening Post, established as 
the central organ of the Federalists in 1801; the Philadelphia Aurora, 
founded by Benjamin Franklin Bache in 1790, and afterward edited with 
vindictive partisanship by William Duane, an Englishman; the Philadelphia 
National Gazette, established in 1791 by Philip Freneau; and the National 
Intelligencer, established at Washington by Samuel H. Smith in 1800. The 
first daily newspaper was the American Daily Advertiser, appearing in Phila- 
delphia in 1784. In 1810 there were twenty-seven daily newspapers in 
existence. They were published in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Balti- 
more, New Orleans, Charleston, Alexandria, Va., and Georgetown, D . C. 
By 1880 they had increased to 968. The first penny paper was the New 
York Stin, established in 1833 by Benjamin Day. The first Sunday paper 
was the Sunday Courier, appearing in New York in 1825, with but little 
success. The chief period of the political influence of editors in the 
United States was that beginning in 1830 and ending after the war. Before 
that date the editor was often of little account,- but from 1830 to 1870 the 
paper was often known chiefly as the organ of the individual editor's 
opinions. 

Newton, John, born in 1823, commanded a brigade at vSouth Mountain 
and Antietam. He commanded a division at Fredericksburg and Chancel- 
lorsville and a corps at Gettysburg. He superintended the removal of 
obstructions in Hell Gate, N. Y., in 1885. Died 1895. 

Nez Perces, an Indian tribe in Idaho. They have remained friendly to 
the whites, covering Colonel Steptoe's retreat in the Oregon War. In 1854 
they disposed of a part of their land, and a part went on a reservation. 



456 Dictionary of United States History. 

Niagara, Fort. During the French War, in the summer of 1759, the Eng- 
lish under Prideaux laid siege to Fort Niagara, which was defended by a garri- 
son of 600. Prideaux was reinforced by Johnson with 2300, partly Indians. 
After a few weeks an attempt was made to succor the French. This party 
was beaten off and no alternative was left but to surrender. This the garrison 
did with honors of war on July 24. By the capture of Niagara, the English 
cut off the French from all their posts in the interior. — In the War of 1812, 
on November 21, 181 2, a severe bombardment was opened against this fort 
from the British fortifications on the Canadian side. The artillery duel lasted 
all day, resulting in slight damage to the fort and the loss of four killed 
and five wounded. Later, in retaliation for the burning of Newark by the 
Americans, Colonel Murray, with about 1000 British and Indians, crossed over 
from Canada, December 19, 181 3, and made a night attack upon the fort. The 
main gate, through gross negligence, was found wide open, the commander 
was away and the men asleep ! The fort was captured without much difii- 
culty, but some slight resistance aroused the passions of the British and a 
number of Americans were massacred. From this point as a centre the 
whole Niagara frontier was ravaged and made desolate. With the fort were 
captured 344 men and immense stores of arms, ammunition and military 
supplies. 

Niagara Falls, so called from an Iroquois Indian word meaning the " thunder 
of water." It was first visited and described in 1678 by a French missionary, 
Father Hennepin. In 1751 Kalm, a Swedish naturalist, published a descrip- 
tion of the Falls in the Gentleman'' s Magazine. Professor James Hall made 
a trigonometrical survey and a map of the Falls for the United States Coast 
Survey in 1842. 

Nicaragua. (See also Walker, William.) A commercial treaty was con- 
cluded between the United States and Nicaragua in 1867 by which Nicaragua 
grants free transit to the United States in consideration of the guarantee of 
the neutrality of routes of communication between the Atlantic and Pacific. 
An extradition convention was concluded in 1870 and a reciprocity treaty in 
1892. 

Nicaragua Canal. The Maritime Canal Company of Nicaragua, capital 
$100,000,000, was incorporated under a charter granted by Congress in 1889, 
permission having been previously obtained from the Nicaragua Government 
for the exclusive right of constructing and operating an inter-oceanic ship 
canal. Excavations were begun October 8, 1891, at San Juan del Norte, or 
Greytown. The total length of the proposed waterway is 169^ miles. The 
reservoirs of Dakes Nicaragua and Managua furnish an adequate high water 
level supply. In 1892 the canal had been opened one mile from Greytown. 
The sum then expended in plant and work amounted to $600,000. A bill 
reported unanimously by the Senate Foreign Committee, recommending a 
government guarantee of $100,000,000, has been withrawn. 

Nichola, Lewis (1717-1807), came to America from Ireland in 1766. He 
was of great service to the colonies during the Revolution by his military 
knowledge and suggestions. He was brevetted brigadier-general in 1783. 



Dictionary of United States History. 457 

Nicholas, Wilson C. (i 757-1 820), became an officer in the colonial army 
and commanded Washington's life-guard until 1783. He was a member of 
the Virginia Convention that ratified the Federal Constitution. He repre- 
sented Virginia in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 1800 to 1804 and in 
the House from 1807 to 1809. He was Governor of Virginia from 1814 to 
1817. 

Nicholson, Alfred O. P. (1808-1876), represented Tennessee in the U. S. 
Senate as a Democrat from 1841 to 1843 and from 1859 to 1861. He wrote 
the famous " Nicholson Letter " to aspirants for the Presidential nomination 
in 1848. 

Nicholson, Sir Francis, colonial Governor, died in 1728. He was Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of New York in 1688, Governor of Virginia from 1690 to 
1692 and from 1699 to 1705, and of Maryland from 1694 to 1699. He com- 
manded at Port Royal in 17 10. He was Governor of Nova Scotia from 1712 
to 1 71 7 and of South Carolina from 1721 to 1725. 

Nicholson, James W. A. (1821-1887), commanded the " Isaac Smith" at 
Port Royal in 1861. From 1863 to 1864 he commanded the "Shamrock" 
and in 1864 the monitor "Manhattan" at Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan. 

Nicolay, John G., born in 1832, came to America from Bavaria in 1838. 
He was secretary to President Lincoln from i860 to 1865. He was U. S. 
Consul at Paris from 1865 to 1869. He wrote " The Outbreak of the Rebel- 
lion," and, with Colonel John Hay, a voluminous work called " Abraham 
Lincoln: a History." 

Nicolet, Jean, a French trader and explorer, who traveled as far west as 
Wisconsin about 1634. His reports of the Mississippi led the Jesuits to 
believe it a passage to India. 

Nicollet, Jean N. (1786-1843), came to America from France in 1832. 
He carefully explored the Mississippi Valley, making scientific observations 
and collecting valuable ethnological information. He prepared a map of 
the West for the Government. 

NicoUs, Sir Richard (1624-1672), came to America with a fleet from Eng- 
land in 1664. New Netherlands surrendered to him without resistance, and 
he remained Governor till his resignation in 1667. He changed the name 
to New York, published the first code of English law in America, estab- 
lished English municipal government in the city, and managed the affairs of 
the colony most creditably. 

Niles, Hezekiah (1777-1839), was the founder of Niles^ Register, a weekly 
journal, which he edited from 1811 to 1836, and published "The Principles 
and Acts of the American Revolution." 

Niles, John M. (1787-1856), represented Connecticut in the U. S. Senate 
as a Democrat from 1835 to 1839, and from 1843 to 1849. He was Post- 
master-General in Van Buren's Cabinet from 1840 to 1841. 

" Niles's Register," a weekly journal established at Baltimore by Heze- 
kiah Niles in 1811, and discontinued by his son in 1849. It was a weekly 



458 Dictionary of United States History. 

repository of the documentary and political history of the country, reported 
with impartiality and fidelity. These reports were made with a fullness not 
attempted by the local newspapers. Nilefs Register had a large circulation 
for many years. It is frequently quoted by historical writers. 

Ninety-Six, Fort, Evacuation of, June 29, 1781. One by one the British 
had evacuated the strongholds in the interior of South Carolina. Fort 
Ninety-Six alone remained in their possession. This was strongly garrisoned 
and held out against Greene for twenty-eight days. Rawdon then appeared 
with 2000 men and Greene prudently retired. The British General, however, 
could not hold the fort and keep his army so far from the sea-board. Accord- 
ingly he evacuated it and retired upon Charleston. 

Nipmucks, a tribe of New England Indians, situated in southern-central 
Massachusetts. The majority of the Nipmucks did not at first join with 
Philip in his war against the colonists, but were active against the English 
during the struggle in Connecticut (1675). In January, 1676, the remnant 
of Philip's tribe, with the Narragansetts, the Quaboag and River Indians, 
effected a junction with the Nipmucks. On the overthrow of Philip the 
Nipmucks fled north and west. 

Nixon, John (1733-1808), of Massachusetts, was prominent in the pre-revo- 
lutionary movements. He commanded at Fort Island in 1776, and led 
a battalion at Princeton. He was president of the Bank of North America 
from 1792 to 1808. 

No Man's Land. In 1845 Texas, on being admitted into the Union, 
ceded to the United States that strip of her land which lay north of 36° 30' 
North latitude. This piece, 167 miles by 35, was without government until 
1890, when it became a part of Oklahoma. 

Noah, Mordecai M. (1785-1851), was Consul-General at Tunis from 1813 
to 1816. He edited the Democratic National Advocate from 1816 to 1826. 
He attempted to organize an establishment of the Jews at Grand Island in 
Niagara River. 

Noble, John W., bom in 1831, serv^ed during the Civil War. He was 
Secretary of the Interior in Harrison's Cabinet from 1889 to 1893. 

Nominations. In the earlier stages of American political development, 
nominations to elective offices were made by private, infonnal agreements 
among active politicians, or by the more organized caucus; or else the candi- 
date announced his candidacy publicly, and ran for the ofiice without other 
nomination. Next came the legislative caucus. From 1796 to 1816 candi- 
dates for the Presidency, for one party or the other, were selected by caucuses 
of the members of Congress belonging to that party. The practice fell into 
dislike by 1824 (see Caucus). Nominations of State oflScers to be elected by 
the people were similarly made by party caucuses in the Legislature. But 
this gave, in the case of a given party, no representation of those districts 
whose legislative delegates were not of that party. Hence arose a modification 
of the caucus, the caucus being supplemented by the addition of delegates 
specially sent up from those unrepresented districts. From this developed 
the nominating convention pure and simple (see art. Convention, Nominating) 



Dictionary of United States History. 459 

and this institution, developed in the States, was soon transferred to the 
Federal arena. — In the case of most U. S. officers of importance, not elected 
by the people, the President nominates, subject to confirmation by the Senate, 
as provided by the Constitution of 1787. See arts. Removals, and Tenure 
of Office Act. 

Non-Importation Agreement, a compact entered into by the merchants 
of New York and Boston in 1765, unanimously binding themselves to order 
no new merchandise from England and to countermand old orders. This 
was in retaliation for tlie Stamp Act. The agreement was rendered in 1767 
in consequence of the Townshend Acts and was strictly observed until 1770, 
when tea only was prohibited. 

Non-intercourse Act, an Act of Congress passed March i, 1809, to be sub- 
stituted for the Non-importation Act and the embargo. It was to continue 
until the next session of Congress, but was revived by the Acts of June 28, 
1809, May I, 1810, and March 2, 181 1. It forbade the entrance to American 
ports of public or private British or French vessels, all commercial inter- 
course with France or Great Britain, and the importation, after Llay 20, 1809, 
of goods grown or manufactured in France or Great Britain or their colonies. 

Nootka Sound. In 1789 the Spaniards seized a number of British vessels 
in Nootka Sound, in what was then called California, on the ground that they 
were intruding on Spanish possessions. War nearly resulted. But by the 
provisions of the so-called Nootka Convention, October 28, 1790, England 
and Spain agreed to trade along the coast side by side, respecting each other's 
settlements. 

Nordhoff, Charles, born in 1830, came to America from Prussia in 1843. 
He has been Wasliington correspondent of the New York Herald since. 1871. 
He wrote "Secession in Rebellion," "The Freedmen of South Carolina," 
" The Communistic Societies of the United States " and " Politics for Young 
Americans." 

Norfolk, Va., was founded in 1705 and became a city in 1845. At the 
beginning of the Revolution, December 9, 1775, a skirmish took place at 
Norfolk between Virginia sharpshooters and Governor Dunmore, who had 
erected a fort to guard the southern approach to Norfolk against any chance 
rebels. After a hot fire of fifteen minutes, in which the Governor's force 
lost sixty-seven men, the loyalists retired. The Governor sought the fleet 
and in revenge fired the town with red-hot shot. Norfolk was scourged by 
the yellow fever in 1855. During the early part of the Civil War Norfolk 
was the principal naval depot of the Confederacy. The Union troops 
obtained possession of the city May 19, 1862, and held it for the remainder 
of the war. 

Normand, Jacques E. (1809-1867), came as an exile to the United States 
from France in 1848. He established the communistic, colony of La 
Reunion in Texas in. 1851, which was afterward expelled by the Govern- 
ment. . He has published numerous works on communism. 

Norsemen. The vikings of Norway and Iceland are represented in the 
Icelandic sagas as having voyaged to America about the year 1000. The 



460 Dictionary of Unitkd States History. 

most famous of tliese accounts is that respecting Leif Ericsson (see art.). 
The sagas speak of settlements made on this coast, which maintained their 
connection with Greenland and the other Norse countries for several cen- 
turies. Attempts have been made to locate these settlements at given points 
on the American coast, as in Rhode Island, but with little success, it is 
believed by the most scientific authorities. The name of their chief settle- 
ment was Vinland. Columbus is supposed by many to have obtained knowl- 
edge of their voyages. The idea of connecting the Old Mill at Newport 
with the Norsemen is now abandoned. 

North, Frederick, Earl of Guilford (i 733-1 792), known as Lord North 
until 1790, became a Lord of the Treasury in 1763. In 1765 he advocated 
the Stamp Act and maintained the right of England to tax the colonies. 
He was Chancellor of the Exchequer and leader of the House of Commons 
in 1767. From 1770 to 1782 he was First Lord of the Treasurj- and Prime 
jMinister of England. He followed the policy of George III. in the coercion 
of the colonics and proposed the enforcement of the tea duty in 1773 and 
the Boston port bill in 1774. As head of the government he managed the 
war against America. After Yorktown, the failure of the king's efforts 
being manifest, he resigned. 

" North American Review," a review founded in 1815 by William 
Tudor, at Boston, and originally published every two months, though now a 
monthly. Among its contents were found, beside reviews, a variety of mis- 
cellaneous and jDoetical articles. It soon passed into the control of an asso- 
ciation of literary^ men, who met regularly in their editorial capacity. Many 
changes were made in the magazine and an uniform high standard was 
maintained throughout. Its earlier files contain the best collection of 
American literary, political, critical and scientific thought during the first 
sixty or seventy years from its foundation. 

North Anna River, Va., a two days' conflict during the Civil War. Grant 
commanding 127,000 Federals was endeavoring to push on to Richmond, 
while Lee opjjosed him with 110,000 Confederates. The fight occurred May 
23 and 25, 1S64. When Grant arrived at the North Anna River he found 
Lee's lines drawn up in a strong position on the other side of the stream. 
Warren was dispatched across the Jericho Ford by Grant to attack Lee's 
left, it being his weak point. It was soon strengthened, but Warren man- 
aged to repulse Hill's assault and finally drove the Confederates back and 
entrenched himself near their position, after capturing 1000 prisoners. Han- 
cock meantime had driven McLaws from an ugly fortification at the Chester- 
field bridge. Grant thought that his passage of the river was assured on 
the 24th, but Lee had chosen an impregnable position along the North Anna 
and Little rivers and some marshes. When Burnside attempted to cross on 
the 25th, his advance division under Crittenden was driven back with fearful 
slaughter. Grant therefore decided to retire, June 26th. 

North Bend, Ohio, noted for a time as the place of residence of William 
Henry Harrison. 

North Carolina was one of the original thirteen colonies. The first 
attempts to make a settlement were made by Raleigh. His failures caused 




GENERALS OF CIVIL WAR. 



George Gordon Meade. D. C. Buell. James B. McPherson. Joseph Hooker. 

A. E. Burnside. George B. McClellan. Nathaniel P. Banks. W. S. Rosecranz. 

Philip H. Sheridan. Ulysses S. Grant. William T. Sherman. 

Benjamin F. Butler. Irvin McDowell. John A. Logan. Winfield S. Hancock. 

Dai^id Hunter. Henry W. Halleck. George H. Thomas. John Pope. 



Dictionary of United States History. 461 

a prejudice against the region. Soon after the settlement of Virginia, 1607, 
the territory was explored and small settlements made by hunters and adven- 
turers from Virginia. Charles I. gave the territory to his attorney-general, 
Sir Robert Heath, in 1629. In 1653, Roger Greene with Virginian dissent- 
ers founded the first permanent settlement in North Carolina, at Albemarle. 
A party of New Englanders made a settlement on the Cape Fear River, 
i65o, but soon left the country in disgust and were followed by a company 
from Barbadoes who, in 1665, established the colony of Clarendon, on the 
Cape Fear River. In 1663, Charles II. gave both Carolinas to eight of his 
favorites. The territory extended to the parallel 36° 30' on the north, to 
29° on the south, and west to the South Sea. The king gave a charter to 
the proprietors in 1665, and in 1669 the colonial Legislature attempted to 
attract immigrants by a law which prevented the collection of all debts 
incurred by settlers before moving to the Carolinas. In the same year 
Locke's Fundamental Constitutions attempted to institute the feudal system, 
but without success, and in 1693 the attempt was abandoned. In 1700 the 
two colonies were separated, and in 1729 North Carolina became a royal 
colony. In JMay, 1775, the "Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence" is 
said to have been issued by the inhabitants of Mecklenburg County (see 
art). The first State Constitution was made in 1776 (the present in 1868). 
The population of the State was large but ill-organized at the time of the 
Revolution. The State refused to ratify the national Constitution until 
1789, and was thus next to the last of the thirteen States to accept that 
document. The State was Democratic until 1840, when it was controlled 
by the Whigs until 1852, since which date it has been Democratic. In 
1860-61, the sentiment was at first decidedly opposed to secession on the 
ground that it would be impolitic; but upon Lincoln's call for troops, the 
Legislature in special session called a State Convention, which on May 20, 
1 86 1, passed a secession ordinance. North Carolina was dissatisfied with 
the Confederate Government, and it was even proposed to secede from the 
Confederacy. North Carolina was restored to her place in the Union July 
II, 1868. In 1869 the Ku Klux Klan appeared in Alamance and Caswell 
Counties, and Federal aid was solicited by Governor Holden. In 1868 and 
1872, Grant carried the State for the Republicans. Since that time the 
State has been Democratic. The population of the State in 1790 was 393,- 
751; in 1890 it was 1,617,947. History by Moore. 

North Carolina, University of, at Chapel Hill, was chartered in 1787 and 
organized eight years later. 

" North Carolina Gazette," the first newspaper issued in North Carolina. 
It was established at New Beme in 1749 by James Davis. Its publication 
was suspended in 1761, but it was revived in 1768. Publication was finally 
suspended at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. 

North Carolina Historical Society, founded in 1840, but not chartered 
until 1875. Its headquarters are at Chapel Hill. 

North Dakota was originally a part of the Louisiana cession. Before 
the settlement of the boundary between the United States and Canada it 
was under British rule. A settlement was made at Pembina in 1812 by 



462 Dictionary of United States History. 

Lord Selkirk, who supposed that the region belonged to the English. With 
South Dakota it was organized as the Territory of Dakota iu 1861. In 1889, 
November 2, North Dakota became a State. A prohibitory law went into 
effect Jul}-, 1890. Prior to the appearance of the Fanners' Alliance the 
State was Republican. The population in 1890 was 182,719. 

North German Union. The United States concluded a naturalization 
con\cution with the North German Union iu 1868. (See Germany.) 

North Point (near Baltimore). Here the British force while pushing forward 
to attack Baltimore on September 12, 1814, came upon the American army 
and immediately joined battle. After two hours' hard fighting, the British 
right put to flight the American left, which iu its retreat threw the rest of the 
line into coufusiou and forced a general retreat. The Americans fell back 
toward Baltimore, leaving behind their wounded and two field pieces. 

Northeast Boundary. The Treaty of 1 783 defined the Northeast boundary 
of the United States, toward Canada, as extending from the source of the St. 
Croix due north to the highlands or watershed between the Atlantic and St. 
Lawrence systems, thence along those highlands to the northwesternmost 
head of the Connecticut River. Disputes over this definition lasted from 
that time to 1S42. In 1S31 the king of the Netherlands, as arbitrator, made 
an award which neither party was willing to accept. Finally, by the 
Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, the present line was agreed upon, not 
greatly differing from that suggested by the Dutch king, and giving about 
seven-twelfths of the disputed territory to the United States and about five- 
twelfths to Great Britain. 

Northup Case. Solomon Northup, the son of a freedman, was enticed 
from his home in Saratoga where he had a family and earned a comfortable 
livelihood. He was drugged and carried to Washington where he was 
placed in a slave pen. He was then conveyed South and sold to a hard 
master with whom he remained for twelve years. He was at length rescued 
from his servitude through the efforts of Northern friends. 

Northwest Boundary Question. The territory bounded north by latitude 
54° 40', east by the Rocky IMountains, south by latitude 42°, and west by the 
Pacific Ocean has been claimed at various times and to various extents by 
Russia, Spain, Great Britain and the United States. The Russian claim, 
which rested mainly upon occupation by fur traders, was settled by a treaty- 
January II, 1S25. Under this treaty the United vStates were to make no 
settlements north of latitude 54° 40', and Russia none south of that latitude. 
England and Russia agreed upon the same terms. The Spanish claims were 
confined south of latitude 42° by the treaty which ceded Florida in 1819. 
Great Britain had little or no claim by discovery. The United States' claim 
rested upon the voyage of Gray up the Columbia River in 1792, and the 
explorations of Lewis and Clark througli the Rocky Mountains and through 
the Oregon country in 1 805-06, under the orders of Jefferson. By the treaty 
of October 20, 181 8, the whole territory west of the Rocky Mountains was 
to be opened to both countries for ten years, and, in 1827, the joint occupa- 
tion for an indefinite period was agreed upon. Later this produced dissatis- 
faction, and after considerable negotiation. Great Britain was induced in 1846 



Dictionary op United States History. 463 

to accept latitude 49° as the boundary from the Rocky Mountains to the 
channel between Vancouver's Island and the mainland. 

Northwest Territory, and the Ordinance of 1787 for its government. The 
Northwest Territory, consisting of the area west of Pennsylvania, north of 
the Ohio River, and east of the Mississippi, came under the control of the 
Continental Congress by reason of the cessions made by Virginia (1784), 
New York (1782), Massachusetts (1785) and Connecticut (1786). In 1784 
Jefferson brought forward an ordinance for the government of this territory. 
Its leading features were that it provided for its erection into States, and their 
entrance into the Union on equal terms with the rest. A clause which would 
have prohibited slavery after iSoo was voted down. In 1787 a new ordinance 
was framed upon this and passed on September 13. The credit of its final 
form, including the forbidding of slavery, has been attributed to Nathan Dane, 
member of the Continental Congress from Massachusetts, and, more largely 
of late, to Dr. Manasseh Cutler, of the same vState, agent of the Ohio Com- 
pany. The ordinance provided that no land was to be taken up until it had 
been purchased from the Indians and offered for sale by the United States; 
no property qualification was required of electors or elected; a temporary 
government, consisting of an appointed governor and law-making judges, 
might be established until the adult male population of the territory increased 
to 5000; then a pennanent and representative government would be per- 
mitted, with the right of sending a representative to Congress, who should 
debate, but not vote. When the number of inhabitants in any of the five 
divisions of the territory equalled 60,000, it should be admitted as a new 
State; the new States should remain forever a part of the United States; 
should bear the same relation to the Government as the original States; 
should pay their apportionment of the Federal debts; should in their gov- 
ernments uphold republican forms, and slavery should exist in none of them. 
It also provided for equal division of the property of intestates, and for the 
surrender of fugitive slaves from the States. Under this government Arthur 
St. Clair was Governor of the territory from 1788 to 1802, when Ohio became 
a State. The western portions were then organized as the Territory of 
Indiana, the northern as the Territory of Michigan, in 1805. 

Northwestern University, Evanston, 111., was founded by the Methodists 
in 1S51. 

Norton, Charles Eliot, born in 1827, was associate editor of the North 
American Review from 1864 to 1868. He has written "Considerations on 
Some Recent Social Theories" and "Historical Studies of Church Building 
in the Middle Ages;" has translated Dante, and edited the correspondence of 
Carlyle with Emerson and that of Lowell. He is professor of the fine arts 
in Harvard University. 

Norton, John (1606-1663), came to the Massachusetts colony from Eng- 
land in 1635. He aided in framing the " Cambridge Platform" in 164S. 
He went to England in 1662 with Governor Bradstreet to confer with 
Charles II. 

Norumbega, the name given by early explorers to various parts of the 
Eastern coast. In 1539 it was applied to the whole coast from Cape Breton 



464 Dictionary of United States History. 

to Florida; in 1556, to that country lying between Cape Breton and the 
Jersey coast, and after that time till the seventeenth century to New England. 
In 1605 Champlain applied it to the territory now comprised in the State of 
Maine, the Norumbega River being identical with the Penobscot. David 
Ingram, who was put ashore in the Gulf of Mexico by Hawkins in 1568, 
traveled afoot to the St. John's River, passing through Massachusetts and 
Maine. He described Norumbega as a splendid Indian city. Humphrey 
Gilbert, Walker and Rut were the earliest English explorers of Norumbega. 

Norway. (See Sweden and Norway.) 

Nott, Eliphalet (1773-1866), was president of Union College, New York, 
from 1804 to 1866 and one of the most distinguished of American educators. 
His address on the death of Alexander Hamilton became famous. 

Nova Caesarea, the Eatin name for New Jersey. The island of Jersey 
derives its name from the Latin name Csesarea, given to it in Roman times. 

Nova Constellatio Coinage, two silver coins invented by Robert Morris in 
1783 for national coinage, but not accepted by the Continental Congress. 
They were called the Mark and the Quint. Their values were respectively 
about seventy and thirty-five cents, their weights eleven pennyweights six 
grains, and five pennyweights fifteen grains. There were only a few pattern 
pieces struck off. For description of this coinage (see Mark, and Quint.) 

Nova Suecia, the Latin name for New Sweden. 

Novum Belgium, a name used in the seventeenth century as the Latin 
equivalent of New Netherland. 

Novum Eboracum, the Latin name for New York, York in England 
having originally been called Eboracum by the Romans, whence Eoforwic, 
whence York. 

Noyes, John H. (1811-1886), foimded a colony of Perfectionists at Putney, 
Vt., in 1838. He removed to Oneiaa, N. Y., in 1848 and established there a 
socialistic community. He wrote a " History of American Socialism." 

Nullification, the formal suspension by a State government of the opera- 
tion of a law of the United States within the territory under the jurisdiction 
of the State, was first suggested as the rightful remedy in the case of illegal 
stretches of Federal legislative authority, in the Kentucky Resolutions of 
1799. Practical exemplifications of its operation were afforded by Pennsyl- 
vania in the Olmstead case in 1809, by Georgia in the matter of the Chero- 
kees (1825-30), etc. But the theory was most completely developed by 
John C. Calhoun, and its most important application was in South Carolina 
in 1832, in her protest against the tariff of that year, which was exceedingly 
distasteful to the Southern States. Calhoun's nullification contemplated a 
suspension of the objectionable law by an aggrieved State, until three- 
fourths of the States in national convention should overrule the nullifica- 
tion. The question turned upon the dogma of State sovereignty. The 
State Legislature of 1832, made up of nullifiers, put the State in a position 
for war and passed various acts resuming powers expressly prohibited to the 
States by the Constitution. December 11, President Jackson issued the 



Dictionary of United States History. 465 

" nullification proclamation," declaring nullification to be incompatible with 
the existence of the Union and contrary to the Constitution. February i, 
1833, a bill called the " bloody bill," was passed by Congress, authorizing 
the enforcement of the tariff. February 26, Clay submitted a compromise 
tariff bill, which was enacted. In consequence of this the South Carolina 
Convention repealed the nullification ordinance on March 16, 1833. 

Nye, James 'W. (1814-1876), was a New York county judge from 1840 
to 1S48. He was appointed Governor of Nevada in 1861, and represented 
Nevada m the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1865 to 1873. 



o. 

Oak Grove, Va., a point much coveted by McClellan during the Penin- 
sular campaign, just previous to the siege of Richmond. Heintzelman's 
corps, with a portion of Sumner's and Keyes', was dispatched to capture 
this place. From here it was ^IcClellan's intention to strike the Old Tavern. 
On June 25, 1862, Heintzelman, moving along the Williamsburg road, 
encountered a small detachment of Lee's army. An engagement at once 
took place, Sickles and Grover, of Hooker's division, bearing tlie brunt of 
the attack. The position was won after a Federal loss of over 500 men. 

Oak Hill, the residence of James Monroe, during the latter part of his 
life, in Loudoun County, Va. The Oak Hill mansion was planned by Monroe 
himself 

Oath. The Constitution provides that before the President "enter on the 
execution of his office he shall take the following oath or affirmation: " " I 
do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of 
President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, 
protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." This oath is 
administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. A similar oath is 
required of all officers National and State, and belonging to the executive, 
legislative and judicial departments. The first Act of Congress provided for 
oaths of office. 

Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, was opened in 1833 as the "Collegiate 
Institute," but changed its name in 1850. It was founded by Congrega- 
tionalists. Its theological department was opened in 1835. 

Oberlin- Wellington Case (1858). A negro named John Rice was cap- 
tured near Wellington, O., by Kentucky kidnappers. An Oberlin College 
student gave the alarm, and the kidnappers were pursued by a large crowd, 
who rescued the negro. For this infraction of the law thirty-seven citizens 
of Oberlin and Wellington were indicted. During the progress of the case 
the greatest excitement prevailed over the entire country. No severe penal- 
ties were imposed upon the offenders. 

O'Brien, Fitz-James (1828-1862), came to America from Ireland in 1850. 
He ser\'ed on the staff of General Lander in 1862, and died of wound? 
received in battle. He was a brilliant writer of prose and verse. 

30 



466 Dictionary of United States History. 

Observatories. The first telescope used in the United States for astro- 
nomical purposes was set up at Yale College in 1830. The first observatory 
building was erected at Williams College, in 1836, by Professor Hopkins. 
In 1838, the Hudson Observatory was organized in connection with the 
Western Reserve University, in 1839 that of Harvard. The West Point 
Observatory soon followed. A Government Observatory was erected at 
Georgetown, D. C, in 1847, but has since been removed to Mount Look- 
out, near Washington. The Ann Arbor Observatory, Mich., founded in 1854, 
has accomplished valuable work, as has also the United States Naval Obser- 
vatory at Washington. Many of the colleges have now more or less efiici- 
ently equipped observatories. In 1874 James Lick, of San Francisco, gave 
$750,000 for a telescope and other apparatus for an obser\'atory. Accordingly 
the Lick Observatory was erected on Mount Hamilton, Cal., being completed 
in 1888. The Lick telescope is one of the most powerful in the world, and 
with it numerous interesting and valuable discoveries have been made. 

Ocala Platform, of the Farmers' Alliance congress, December 8, 1890. 
It demanded the abolition of national banks; the establishment of sub-treas- 
uries which should lend money directly to the people at low rates of interest; 
free coinage of silver; low tariff; the prohibition of alien ownership of land, 
and a graduated income tax. So called from the place of meeting, 
Ocala, Fla. 

O'Callaghan, Edmund B. (1797-1880), came to New York from Canada 
in 1837. He was author of a " History of New Netherland," and editor of 
" Documentary History of New York," " Documents Relating to the History 
of New York" (11 vols.), "Remonstrance of New Netherlands," etc. 

O' Conor, Charles (1804-1884), of New York, was admitted to the bar at 
the age of twenty. He sympathized with the Confederates during the Civil 
War. He was nominated for President of the United States by the " Labor 
Reform " branch of the Democratic party in 1872. He was counsel for Jef- 
ferson Davis when he was indicted for treason. He was largely the means 
of destroying the " Tweed Ring," and was noted as a lawyer. 

Oconostota (before 1730-after 1809), head king of the Cherokee Indians. 
He captured Fort Prince George and Fort Loudon, and massacred the gar- 
risons in revenge for an attack by English settlers in 1756. He aided the 
English in the Revolutionary War by harassing the frontiers of Virginia 
and the Carolinas, but was soon afterward dethroned. 

Odd Fellows. The first lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
in the United States was organized at Baltimore in April 181 9, by Thomas 
Wildey and four others. Lodges were established in Boston in 1820, and 
in Philadelphia in 1821, receiving charters from the Grand Lodge at Balti- 
more. Since then the order has been established in every State and Terri- 
tory of the Union. 

Odell Town (Canada, near Lake Champlain). Here Lieutenant-Colonel 
Forsyth had two small skirmishes with the British, June 22, 1814, in which 
the fonner was successful, but lost his own life. The British loss was seven- 
teen killed. 



Dictionary of United States History. 467 

Ogden vs. Saunders, an important case in the U. S. Supreme Court,. 
decided in 1827. Ogden, of Louisiana, declared upon certain bills of 
exchange drawn upon the defendant Saunders, a citizen of Kentucky, but 
then living in New York. Saunders pleaded a certificate of discharge under 
the Act of the New York Legislature of 1801 for the relief of insolvent 
debtors. The District Court of Louisiana found judgment for the plaintiff. 
On a writ of error the case was brought before the Supreme Court, which 
decided in 1827 that the power to pass bankruptcy laws did not belong exclu- 
sively to the United States, and that the fair exercise of that power by the 
States need not involve a violation of the obligation of contracts; but that 
the State law could not discharge a debt due to a citizen of another State, 

Ogdensburg, N. Y. February 22, 1813, Colonel McDonell, with 800 
British soldiers, attacked the village and also Fort Presentation, commanded 
by Colonel Forsyth. The attack upon the fort was repulsed, but that on the 
village was successful. The British now reformed and moved against the 
fort which, however, had meanwhile been evacuated, the Americans retreat- 
ing to Black Lake, nine miles away. Two armed sloops and the barracks 
were burned, the village plundered, and fifty-two prisoners made. The 
American loss was five killed and fifteen wounded; the British, six killed 
and forty-eight wounded. 

Oglesby, Richard J., born in 1824, engaged in the Mexican War. In the 
Civil War he commanded a brigade at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. 
From 1863 to 1864 he commanded the Sixteenth Army Corps. He was 
Governor of Illinois from 1864 to 1869 and in 1872. He was a Republican 
U. S. Senator from 1873 to 1879, and was again Governor from 1884 to 
1888. 

Oglethorpe, James Edward (1698-1785), the founder of Georgia, was an> 
officer in the British army and a member of Parliament, whose sympathies- 
had become directed toward the misfortunes of debtors. In 1732 he- 
received from the king a grant of land for the purpose of founding a colony 
for this class, and in 1733 founded Savannah. The settlement prospered 
fairly. Oglethorpe, who had twice returned to England, commanded an; 
unsuccessful expedition against St. Augustine in 1741 in the war with 
Spain. The next year he repelled a Spanish attack on the colony, and 
returned finally to England in 1743. Subsequently, for the conduct of a 
force against the Young Pretender he received severe criticism. In 1752 he 
resigned the charter of Georgia to the crown. 

O'Hara, Charles (i730?-i8o2), came to Virginia from England in com- 
mand of a regiment in 1780. He served at Cowpens, led the left wing of 
Cornwallis' army at Guilford, and surrendered at Yorktown. 

Ohio, a State of the Union, was formed from the Northwest Territor>'. 
It was originally explored by the French, and at the time of the French and 
Indian War was claimed by both English and French. The former's claiirt 
was made good by the treaty of 1763. In 1774 the " Quebec Act" joined 
Ohio and the whole Northwest to Canada, but this act was nullified by the 
treaty of 1783. South of 41° north latitude Ohio formed a part of the 
cession of Virginia to the general government in 1783. The territory north 



468 Dictionary of United States History. 

of that line was claimed by Connecticut by virtue of the charter of Charles 
II., which extended her territory to the South Sea. The jurisdiction over this 
part was ceded to the United States by Connecticut in 1786, but the owner- 
ship of the lands was retained by that State, which gave rise to the name, 
"The Connecticut Reservation," or "Western Reserve." In 1786 the Ohio 
Company, composed of Massachusetts people, obtained control of 1,500,000 
acres through the agency of Manasseh Cutler. The following year Congress 
passed the Ordinance of 1787 for the government of the Northwest Terri- 
tory. This provided for not more than five nor less than three States, for- 
bade slavery and provided for the support of education. In 1788 Marietta 
was founded by settlers under General Putnam. In 1791 St. Clair's army 
was surprised and cut to pieces by the Indians, who were finally defeated by 
General Wayne in 1794. In 1800 Ohio was set ofi" from the Northwest 
under a separate government, and in 1803 was admitted as a State. A 
boundary dispute with Michigan, called the " Toledo War," was settled in 
favor of Ohio by the act of Congress which provided for the admission of 
Michigan in 1836. The Democrats held control of the State until 1824, 
when Clay obtained its electoral votes. From 1824 until 1838 the Whigs 
usually controlled the State because of their policy of internal improve- 
ments and protective tariff. From 1838 until 1855 the Democrats were suc- 
cessful, except in the years 1840 and 1844. In 1848 a deadlock occurred in 
the organization of the Legislature, which resulted in favor of the Demo- 
crats and in the election of Salmon P. Chase, a Free-Soil Democrat, to the 
U. S. Senate. In 1855 the Republicans elected a Governor, and in 1856 
Republican electors were chosen as in all subsequent Presidential elections. 
In State elections the State has been usually Republican, as at present (1894). 
The " Pond Law," for the taxation of liquor selling, was declared unconsti- 
tutional in 1882, and was followed by the " Scott Law," which was upheld 
by the courts. Ohio furnished 319,659 troops to the Union army. In 1863 
General Morgan, who had invaded Ohio, was captured at New Lisbon. 
The State furnished some of the most successful generals of the Union 
army. The population of the State in 1802 was 41,915; in 1890 it was 
3,672,316. The present Constitution was made in 1851. History by Howe. 

Ohio Company. In 1749 George II. granted to a band of wealthy Vir- 
ginians, calling themselves the Ohio Company, a tract of land containing 
500,000 acres, and lying mostly to the west of the mountains and south of 
the Ohio River. Thomas Lee was the projector of this company, but it was 
later conducted by Lawrence Washington. The conditions of the grant 
were that 100 families should be established upon it, a fort should be built 
and a garrison maintained. Numerous store houses were also established. 

Ohio Company (the second), formed March i, 1786, on the suggestion 
and in the house of Rufus Putnam, of Rutland, Mass. March 3, Putnam, 
Cutler, Brooks, Sargent and Cushing reported an association of 1000 shares, 
each of $1000 in Continental certificates, or $125 in gold. A year was 
allowed for subscription. Land was to be purchased from Congress, in 
tracts lying between the Ohio and Lake Erie. May 9, 1787, Parsons, agent 
for the company, appeared before Congress and was well received. Congress 
granted certain lots free of charge, and an enormous tract was bought at 



Dictionary of United States History. 469 

about eight or nine cents per acre in specie. Colonization was immediately 
begun, and slavery was prohibited. The company had much influence in 
shaping the Ordinance for the Government of the Northwest Territory. 

Ohio Historical Society, founded in 1831, and reorganized in 1867. This, 
together with the Firelands Historical Society and the Licking County 
Pioneer Historical Society, organized respectively in 1857 and 1867, have 
furnished much valuable information regarding early settlements in Ohio. 

Ojibways, or Chippev^^as, a tribe of Algonquin Indians living on the 
shores of Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Early wars with neighboring 
tribes greatly reduced their numbers. They joined Pontiac. During the 
Revolution they were allies of England, but made peace by treaties in 1785 
and 1789. They joined in the Miauiis' uprising, but, reduced by Wayne, 
made peace in 1795. They ceded most of their lands on Lake Erie in 1805. 
They renewed hostilities in 1812, but joined in the peace of 1816, and 
relinquished all their lands in Ohio. Other treaties ceding territory followed, 
and by 1851 nearly the entire tribe had moved west of the Mississippi. 

Oklahoma, a Territory of the United States, was organized May 2, 1890. 
It was formed from Indian Territory and the Public Land. The Territory 
was first opened to settlers April 22, 1889, and in 1890 the population was 
61,834, including that of Green County, which is claimed by Texas. The 
population now (1894) is more than double what it was in 1890. 

" Old Bullion," a nickname of. Senator Benton. (See art.) 

Old Colony, a name given in Massachusetts history to the territory 
formerly occupied by the Plymouth colony, and absorbed into that of Massa- 
chusetts Bay in 1691, now Plymouth and Bristol counties. 

Old Dominion, a name commonly given to Virginia, which in colonial 
documents is frequently called " His Majesty's Dominion " of Virginia. 

" Old Lights," the name applied to the orthodox conservative churchmen 
to distinguish them from the " New Lights," or revivalists, followers of 
Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield during the period of the " Great 
Awakening" in 1734, and later in Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

Old Man Eloquent, the nickname for John Quincy Adams, sixth Presi- 
dent of the United States, used during his latter years in the House of 
Representatives, with allusion to a line in Milton's sonnet to the Lady 
Margaret Ley in which Milton thus refers to Isocrates. 

Old Public Functionary, a nickname of President James Buchanan, he 
having alluded to himself under that designation in a message to Congress 
in 1859. 

Old South Church, a church built in Boston in 1730, and famous during 
the period just preceding the Revolution as a place for public meetings held 
by the Revolutionary party. During the siege of Boston the British used it 
as a riding-school, and the New England Library which the Rev. Thomas 
Prince had gathered in its belfr\' was scattered. It is now used as a museum 
of historical relics, and as a hall for lectures on American history, known as 
the "Old South Lectures," of patriotic object. 



4'o Dictionary of United States History. 

Old State House. In 1658 a "Town House" was erected, on what is 
now State Street, Boston, with money left by Captain Keayne, of Boston, 
for that purpose. This Town House was in use as the capitol of the colony 
until 171 1, when it was destroyed by fire. In the next year there was 
•erected on the same site the building which is standing to-day and is called 
the Old State House. It has long been used as an office building, but was 
formally rededicated in 1882, when the whole history of the old building was 
rehearsed in addresses by prominent citizens. 

Oldenburg. In 1846 Oldenburg acceded to the commercial treaty between 
the United States and Hanover, and in 1852 to the German extradition 
treaty of that year. 

Oldham, John (1600 ?-i636), came to Plymouth from England in 1623. 
His murder by Indians on Block Island in 1636 was a chief incident leading 
to the Pequot War. 

Oliver, Andrew (1706-1774), loyalist, was a member of the Massachusetts 
Council from 1746 to 1765, provincial secretary from 1756 to 1770 and Lieu- 
tenant-Governor from 1 77 1 to 1774. Mob violence compelled him to 
resign the appointment as stamp officer in 1765. 

Olmstead et als. vs. Rittenhouse's Executrixes, a celebrated case of 
capture involving questions of prerogative regarding which the decisions of 
the Federal commissioners were set at naught by a State Court of Admiralt}-, 
and which aided in establishing the Supreme Court. Olmstead and others, 
of Connecticut, being pressed into British service aboard the sloop " Active " 
in 1777, took possession of the sloop, and were in turn captured by Houston, 
commanding the Pennsylvania armed brig " Convention." The State Court 
of Admiralty of Pennsylvania adjudged a large share of the prize money to 
the State, the officers and crew of the " Convention," and the owners, officers 
and crew of a privateer which assisted in the capture. Olmstead and others 
appealed to the Federal Commissioners of Appeals and received a favorable 
-verdict. This the State Court set aside and deposited the moneys with David 
Rittenhouse, State Treasurer. His executrixes were sued in 1802 before the 
Supreme Court, and judgment was executed in favor of Olmstead and others, 
in 1809, against violent opposition from Pennsylvania. (See Peters, U. S. z's.) 

Olmsted, Frederick Law, born in 1822, landscape architect, wrote the 
-works condensed in " The Cotton Kingdom," so prominent during the 
Rebellion. He superintended the construction of Central Park, New York, 
Jackson Park, Chicago, and many others. 

Olney, Jesse (1798-1872), published a " Geography and Atlas" in 1828, 
which revolutionized geographical methods. It reversed the ancient system 
of beginning with astronomy and the solar system and concluding with the 
earth. 

Olney, Richard, of Massachusetts, was born in 1835. A lawyer and states- 
man. He was Attorney-General in Cleveland's Cabinet from 1893 to 1895, 
and on death of Mr. Gresham, became Secretary of State, serving till March 
4, 1897. 

Olustee, Fla. At this place, February 20, 1864, Seymour, commanding 
6000 of Gillmore's Federal army then operating in the Department of the 



Dictionary of United States History. 471 

South, fell in with a Confederate ambush of nearly 13,000 men under Fin- 
negan. Gillmore had ordered Seymour to give up his contemplated expedi- 
tion to the Suwanee River, but the order came too late. Seymour was 
wholly defeated in less than half an hour, and had to retreat with great 
haste, leaving 1400 killed and wounded. 

Olympia, capital of Washington State, was settled in 1846, and laid out 
as a town in 185 1. It became a city in 1859. 

Omahas, a tribe of Dakota Indians, lived on the Quicoure at the begin- 
ning of the century. Treaties in 1815 and 1820 ceded lands at Council 
Bluffs, and other treaties of a similar nature were made in 1825 ^"^ 1830. 
In 1S54 they gave up more of their lands. Their reservation lies in the 
northeastern part of Nebraska. They have suffered much from the hostility 
of the Sioux. 

O'Mahony, John F. (1816-1877), born in Ireland, came to the United 
States in 1854. He organized the Fenian brotherhood in i860, whose 
object was the freeing of Ireland. He translated the " History of Ireland " 
by Geoffrey Keating. 

Omnibus Bill, a bill submitted to Congress by Henry Clay, January 
29, 1850, at the time of the application of California for admission to the 
Union. The bill provided for the admission of California with her free con- 
stitution; territorial governments in New Mexico and Utah without express 
restriction upon slavery; a territorial boundary line between Texas and New 
Mexico in favor of the former; a more effective fugitive slave law; and 
denial to Congress of power to interfere with the slave trade between slave 
States. After much cutting and amendment the bill was passed in July, 
1850, as a series of acts. 

Oneida Community, a communistic settlement at Oneida, N. Y., founded 
in 1848 by John Humphrey Noyes, of Vermont. They call themselves 
Perfectionists. They possess property in common, believe in the faith 
cure, and permit freedom of sexual intercourse within the limits of the 
community, which, practice they deem less conducive to selfishness than the 
ordinary relationship of man and wife. 

Oneidas, a tribe of American Indians formerly of the Iroquois confeder- 
acy, from an early period lived in New York State. They were generally 
favorable to the English, but in the Revolution supported the colonists. 
For this their villages were ravaged and their property destroyed. By a 
treaty in 1794, the Government made compensation for their losses. In 
1785 and 1788, they ceded lands to the State of New York. Later, some 
went to Canada, and in 1821, a large number acquired lands on Green Bay. 

O'Neill, John (1834-1878), served in the National army from 1861 to 1864. 
He commanded the Fenian expedition to Canada in 1867 and captured Fort 
Erie. Further operations were prevented by United States authorities. 

O'Neill, Peggy. (See Eaton, Margaret L.) 

Onis, Nuis de (1769-1830), while minister from Spain to the United 
States from 1815 to 181 9, negotiated the treaty by which Spain ceded 
Florida to the United States (181 9). 



472 Dictionary of United States History. 

Onondagas, a tribe of Iroquois in New York State, and head of the " five 
nations." They were early won over to the English and often served against 
the French. During the Revolution they joined the English. In September, 
1788, they ceded all their territory to the State of New York, with the 
exception of a small tract which they have since continued to hold. 

Ontario, Fort, erected in 1756 during the French and Indian wars by the 
English troops under Shirley at Oswego, N. Y. It was attacked the same 
)ear, while commanded by Colonel Mercer, by Montcalm. Both Oswego 
and Ontario were captured, and the latter was burned to the ground. 

Opequon. (See Winchester.) 

Opera. In the autumn of 1825 the first Italian opera ever introduced 
into the United States was given at the Park Theatre in New York. Gar- 
cia's daughter, afterward famous as Malibran, appeared in Rossini's " Barber 
of Seville." 

Orange, Fort, erected in 1623, "^^'' the present site of Albany, by Captain 
Cornelius Jacobseu Mey, representing the Dutch West India Company. 

Orange River Free State. A treaty of commerce and extradition was 
concluded between the United States and the Orange River Free State in 

1871. 

Ord, Edward O. C. (1818-1883), commanded the national forces at Dranes- 
ville in 1861. He led the left wing of Grant's army at luka and Hatchie in 
1862. He led a corps at Vicksburg, Jackson, Richmond and Fort Harrison. 
In 1865 he commanded the Department of Virginia and the Army of the 
James at Petersburg and in the subsequent battles ending at Appomattox 
Court House. 

Orders in Council. Decrees issued by the king of Great Britain and his 
Privy Council, of which the most famous were those prohibiting com- 
mercial intercourse by neutral countries with States with whom he was at 
war. A proclamation of June 8, 1793, had prohibited trade with France and 
directed the seizure of neutral ships engaged in such traffic. Similar orders 
were issued in 1794. November 11, 1807, the famous Orders in Council pro- 
hibited direct trade from the United States to any European country under 
Napoleon's power. 

Ordinance of 1787. (See Northwest Territory.) 

Ordinary was in England the title of a bishop or his deputy acting as 
an ecclesiastical judge. In the United States, in the colonial period, the 
colonial governor was ex-officio ordinary', or head of the ecclesiastical courts 
of the colony, which then had jurisdiction of matrimonial and testamentary 
causes. In New Jersey the probate judge is still called an ordinary. 

Oregon, a State of the American Union, was acquired by treaty with 
England in 1846. It was visited by Drake in 1558 and, it is said, by Juan 
de Fuca in 1592. In 1792 Vancouver, an English officer, surveyed the coast 
from 30° to 60° north latitude. Robert Gray, of Boston, had previously 
discovered the Columbia River. It was claimed by the United States that 



Dictionary of United States History. 473 

tje " Oregon country," included between 42° and 54° 40', formed a part of 
the Louisiana cession, but England refused to recognize the claim. Lewis 
and Clark surveyed the country' in 1804-1S06. In 1818 the United States 
and England agreed upon a treaty of joint occupancy, which was renewed 
in 1827. Russia had claims to the Oregon country south of 54° 40', which 
she finally withdrew. Emigration from the United States into the region 
was stimulated by the reports of Dr. Whitman, a missionary, who made a 
perilous journey on horseback to Washington in the winter of 1842—43, and 
urged the Government at Washington to assert the claims of the United 
States to that region. The people of Oregon fonned a provisional govern- 
ment in 1843. In the Presidential campaign of 1844 the Democratic plat- 
form demanded the reoccnpation of Oregon. The cry "fifty-four-forty or 
fight " threatened war with England, which was averted by the treaty of 1846, 
whereby the northern boundary of the United States at 49° north latitude 
was extended to the Fuca Strait. In 1848 the territory of Oregon was 
organized and made to include the present States of Washington and Idaho. 
A State constitution was adopted in 1857, which forbade slavery and the 
immigration of negroes. The " anti-negro " provision prevented the admis- 
sion of Oregon until 1859, February 14. In politics the State was at first 
Democratic, but in i860 the Republicans secured the electoral vote of the 
State for Lincoln by a plurality. From i860 to 1868 the State was Repub- 
lican in all elections. In 1868 the Democrats carried the State, and again 
in 1870, 1874, 1878. At other elections the Republicans have been success- 
ful, except in 1892, when the electoral votes were cast for the fusion candi- 
date. The population of Oregon in i860 was 52,465; in 1890, 313,767. 
Histories by Bancroft and Barrows. 

" Oregon Spectator." This was the first newspaper printed in Oregon. It 
was established at Oregon City, and the first issues appeared during Febru- 
ary 1846. 

O'Reilly, John B. (1844-1890), bom in Ireland, transported for treason 
in 1866, escaped from Australia to the United States in 1869. He was 
editor of the " Pilot " from 1874 to 1890, and was noted as a poet. 

Original Package. In 1890 the Supreme Court of the United States, in 
the case of Leisy & Co. vs. Hardin, held that the plaintiffs, brewers in Illi- 
nois, had the right to bring beer into Iowa and sell it in the original pack- 
ages, regardless of the Iowa prohibitory law. Their decision rested on the 
right of Congress to. have exclusive control of interstate commerce. Con- 
gress immediately passed an act giving the State control of the liquors so 
imported, though in the original packages. 

Oriskany, Battle of. On August 6, 1777, General Herkimer with 800 
men started to relieve Fort Stanwix, now besieged by St. Leger and his 
Indians. At Oriskany, ten miles away, he halted and attempted to concert 
an attack and a sortie. The plan miscarried. Herkimer advanced and was 
attacked by the Indians and Tories in a deep ravine. The battle raged 
furiously for hours, despite a terrific thunder-storm, and was one of the most 
cruel and bloody of the war. Each side lost a third of its number. Tlie 
Americans remained masters of the field, although badly disabled. The 
sortie from the fort was a success, and badly crippled the enemy. 



474 Dictionary of United States History. 

Orkney, Earl of. In 1704 the Earl of Orkney was made titular Governor 
of Virginia, a sinecure which he held for forty years, with an annual emolu- 
ment of ;^1200. 

Orleans, Territory of. In March, 1S04, the region purchased from France 
under the name of Louisiana was divided by Congress into two territories — 
the District of Louisiana and the Territory of Orleans, the latter being the 
present area of the State of Louisiana. In February, 1811, an act was 
passed " to enable the people of the Territory of Orleans to form a consti- 
tution and State Government." April 12, 1812, an act was passed for the 
admission of the State of Louisiana into the Union. 

Orr, James L. (1822-1873), represented South Carolina in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1849 to 1S59, and was Speaker from 1857 to 
1859. He was a Confederate senator from 1861 to 1865, and Governor of 
South Carolina from 1865 to 1868. 

Orth, Godlove S. (1817-1882), was a member of the Indiana Senate from 
1842 to 1848. He was prominent in the Peace Conference of 186 1. He 
represented Indiana in the U. S. Congress as a Republican from 1863 to 187 1 
and from 1873 to 1875. He was active in securing the recognition of the 
right of expatriation by European governments. He framed the " Orth 
bill," which reorganized the diplomatic and consular system. He was Min- 
ister to Austria from 1875 to 1877, and again a Congressman from 1879 to 
1882. 

Orton, James (1830-1877), professor in Vassar College, was recognized as 
an authority on the subject of the geology and physical geography of the 
west coast of South America and the Amazon Valley, which he had care- 
fully explored. 

Osage Indians, were early driven to the Arkansas. They allied them- 
selves with the French against England. In 1808 they ceded lands to the 
Government; and made further cessions in 1815, 1818, 1822^ 1825 and 1839. 
At the beginning of the Civil War 1000 went South; treaties in September, 
1865, and May, 1868, prepared for the removal of the whole. In 1870 the 
tribe conveyed their lands to the Government and agreed to remove to 
Indian Territory. 

Osborn vs. U. S. Bank, Ohio, an important case in the U. S. Supreme 
Court. Ralph Osborn, auditor of the State of Ohio, per J. L. Harper, his 
deputy, took by force from the U. S. Bank at Chillicothe, $100,000 and 
delivered it to the State Treasurer as just payment to the State under the 
law which was passed by the State's Legislature levying taxes upon banks 
doing business in the State with the consent of the law. The Circuit Court 
of Ohio decided that a restitution be made with interest. The Supreme 
Court, the case being appealed thereto, confirmed the decision of the Circuit 
Court, omitting the interest (1824). (See McCulloch vs. Marjdand.) 

Osceola (i 804-1 838), chief of the Seminole Indians, inaugurated the 
second Seminole War in 1836 by killing General Thompson in revenge for 
the enslavement of his wife. He conducted the war for over a year, fighting 
at the Withlacoochee River, Micanopy and Fort Drane. He was seized while 



Dictionary of United States History. 475 

negotiating a treaty under a flag of truce with General Jesup near St. Aug- 
ustine in 1S37. 

Osgood, Samuel (1748-1813), was a delegate from Massachusetts to the 
Continental Congress from 1780 to 1784, Commissioner of the Treasury from 
1785 to 1789, and Postmaster-General from 1789 to 1791. 

Ostend Manifesto. In 1852 France and Great Britain, fearful of the fili- 
bustering expeditions against Cuba and the possible future favor of the United 
States toward such expeditions, suggested a tripartite convention in which 
•each should disclaim all intention to obtain possession of Cuba and should 
discountenance such intention by another power. October 9, 1854, the 
American Ministers to Great Britain, France and Spain, James Buchanan, 
John Y. Mason and Pierre Soule, met at Ostend and drew up the " Ostend 
Manifesto." This declared that a sale of Cuba to the United States would 
he advantageous to both governments; but that if Spain refused to sell, it 
was incumbent upon the Union to " wrest it from her," rather than see it 
Africanized like San Domingo. 

Oswald, Richard (i 705-1 784), was appointed by Great Britain diplomatic 
agent in 1782 to negotiate the treaty of peace with the United States which 
was signed at Paris in 1783. 

Oswego, Capture of. In the French and Indian War, in July, 1756, 
Montcalm hastened from Ticonderoga to Oswego. It was hoped to divert 
the English from Ticonderoga. The expedition was conducted with secrecy, 
and by August 10 Montcalm was near the fort. On the thirteenth he forced 
the abandonment of Fort Ontario, opposite Oswego. On the fourteenth 
Oswego, subject to bombardment and assault, surrendered. The English 
force was about 1000, of whom fifty were killed. The attacking party num- 
bered 3000. Both forts were burned. — In the War of 1812, May 5, 1814, 
Sir James Yeo with about 3000 land troops and marines attacked Oswego, 
defended by a fort garrisoned by 300 men under Colonel Mitchell. The first 
attack was repulsed by a heavy cannon placed near the shore. The second 
attack, the next day, was successful, and the garrison retreated up the river. 
The British withdrew after burning the barracks and seizing the stores and 
a war schooner. The American loss was si.xty-nine men; the British, nine- 
teen killed and seventy-five wounded. 

Otis, Harrison Gray (1765-1848), represented Massachusetts in the U. S. 
Congress as a Federalist from 1797 to 1801. He was Speaker of the Massa- 
chusetts Legislature from 1803 to 1805, and president of the Senate from 
1805 to 1806 and from 1808 to 181 1. He was prominent at the Hartford 
Convention in 1814. He was a U. S. Senator from 1817 to 1822. 

Otis, James (i 725-1 783), patriot and orator, was graduated at Harvard in 
1743, and rose to the first place at the Boston bar. When the British Gov- 
ernment adopted a stronger coercive policy with its Writs of Assistance in 
1761, Otis opposed the measure in a celebrated speech. He was a member 
of the Massachusetts Legislature, and published in 1764 an influential 
pamphlet entitled " Rights of the Colonies Vindicated." He moved the 
appointment of a Stamp Act Congress, and was one of the delegates, and 



476 Dictionary of United States History. 

he made a spirited opposition to Townshend's acts. In 1769 he was severely 
beaten by some British ofi&cers and became insane for the remainder of his 
life. Otis ranks as one of the eloquent orators of the pre-Revolution period. 

Ottawas, a tribe of Algonquin Indians, aided the French against Eng- 
land. During the Revolution they were under British influence. They 
joined in treaties made in 1785 and 1789, but took up arms with the Miamis 
soon after, again making peace in 1795. Numerous treaties ceding territory 
around Lake Michigan to the United States followed. A part went south 
of the Missouri in 1833, where they lost their identity. A band of Ottawas 
in Ohio removed to the Osage in 1836. Those remaining became scattered. 
The emigrants again removed to Indian Territory in 1870. In 1836 the 
Michigan Ottawas ceded all their lands except reservations. 

Ottendorfer, Oswald, born in Moravia in 1826, fled to America in 1850. 
He became an editor of the Staafs-Zeitung, and afterward its proprietor and 
manager, making it an independent reform journal. 

Ottoman Porte. The United States concluded a commercial treaty with 
the Ottoman Porte in 1830. The translation of an article of this treaty 
relating to extra-territorial jurisdiction caused an extended dispute. In 1862 
another commercial treaty was concluded, which has ceased to be in opera- 
tion, though the most favorable commercial relations continue. 

Otto's Reports, more often cited as United States Reports (Otto), are law 
reports of cases from the United States Supreme Court 1875-1881, and are 
contained in fifteen volumes. 

Owen, Robert (i 771-1858), came to the United States from Scotland in 
1824 ^nd founded an unsuccessful communistic society at New Harmony, 
Ind. 

Owen, Robert Dale (1800-1877), came to the United States from Scotland 
in 1824 witli the communistic colony established at New Harmony, Ind., by 
his father. He was a member of the Indiana Legislature from 1835 to 1838, 
and represented Indiana in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1843 to 
1847. He was charg^ d'affaires at Naples from 1853 to 1855 and Minister 
from 1855 to 1858, and was of some note as a writer. 

Oxenstjerna, Axel (1583-1654), Chancellor of Sweden, subscribed, in 1624, 
to the stock of the Swedish West India Company, and later was personally 
interested in the Swedish settlements along the Delaware. 



Paca, William (1740-1799), opposed all taxation of the colonies by Eng- 
land. He was a member of the Maryland Legislature from 1771 to 1774. 
He represented Maryland in the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1779 and 
signed the Declaration of Independence. He was a State Senator from 1777 
to 1779, Judge of the Federal Court of Appeals 1780-1782, and Governor of 
Marj'land from 1782 to 1786. He was U. S. Judge for the District of Mary- 
land from 1789 to 1799. 



Dictionary of United States History. 477 

Pacific Railroads. The outbreak of the Civil War and the feeling of 
necessity of a better connection with the Pacific coast, induced the Govern- 
ment to make large grants in favor of the Central Pacific, Union Pacific and 
Kansas Pacific Railroads, by an act of July i, 1862. Later, 47,000,000 acres 
■were granted to the Northern Pacific. The Central Pacific and Union Pacific 
were completed in 1869. The construction and finance of the Union Pacific 
were managed by the Credit Mobilier (see art.) and involved in legislative 
scandals. In 1878 the office of Commissioner of Railroads was instituted, 
to supervise the accounts of the Pacific railways. 

Packard, Alpheus S. (1798-1884), was a professor at Bowdoin College, 
chiefly of Greek, from 1824 to 1884, and was librarian of the Maine Histori- 
cal Society for fort)--eight years. 

Packard, Alpheus S., bom in 1839, has made valuable contributions to 
entomology and paleontolog}'. He arranged the generally accepted classifi- 
cation of insects. He published a great number of scientific monographs, 
and a popular "Zoology." Since 1878 he has been a professor in Brown 
University. 

Paddock, Algernon S., born in 1830, was secretary of Nebraska Territory 
from 1 86 1 to 1867. He represented Nebraska in the U. S. Senate as a 
Republican from 1875 to 1881, and from 1887 to 1893. 

Paducah, Ky., scene of the first disaster encountered by the Confederate 
leader Forrest during his great raid through Kentucky, Tennessee and 
northern Mississippi in 1864. Forrest had 5000 men, while Hicks lay 
fortified in Paducah with 800 National troops. March 25 Forrest demanded 
a surrender. Hicks refused peremptorily. Forrest then charged the earth- 
works again and again, but with signal failures each time. He was obliged 
to retreat, having suffered severe losses. 

Page, John (1744-1808), represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress as a 
Democrat from 1789 to 1797. He was Governor of Virginia from 1802 to 
1805. He published " Political Addresses," and was an early friend of 
Jefierson. 

Page, Thomas J., born in 1808, made an extensive exploration of La Plata 
River. He became a commander in the U. S. navy in 1855. He was active 
in the construction of the Confederate navy. 

Page, Thomas Nelson, born in 1853, is a popular writer of stories and 
poems in the negro dialect. Some of his chief stories have been published 
tinder the title of " In Ole Virginia," etc. 

Page, William (1811-1885), of Albany, was one of the most famous 
American artists. He won great distinction for his portrait-painting. He 
was famous as a colorist, and was an accurate draughtsman. 

Paine, Robert Treat (1731-1814), was a member of the Massachusetts 
Assembly from 1773 to 1774, and of the Provincial Congress from 1774 
to 1775. He was a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Con- 
gress from 1774 to 1778 and signed the Declaration of Independence. 
He was Attorney-General of Massachusetts from 1780 to 1790, and a Judge 



478 Dictionary of United States History. 

of the Massachusetts Supreme Court from 1790 to 1804, when he resigned. 
He was an able lawyer and an impartial judge. 

Paine, Robert Treat (1773-1811), is eminent as the author of several 
remarkable poems, among them being " The Invention of Letters," " The 
Ruling Passion," and the song " Adams and Liberty." 

Paine, Thomas, generally styled Tom Paine (1737-1809), a native of 
England, passed his early years there as an exciseman, political writer, and 
ardent republican. He came to America in 1774 and edited the Pennsyl- 
vania Magazine. In 1776 he published a pamphlet, " Common Sense," 
advocating independence, which was widely circulated and created a profound 
impression. At intervals through the war he published the " Crisis," and 
was secretary to the Congressional Committee on Foreign Affairs. His ser- 
vices in the Revolution were of undoubted value. Subsequently he was 
clerk to the Pennsylvania Legislature. He was in France at the opening of 
the French Revolution, and in England where he published in 1791 his 
" Rights of Man," and was outlawed in consequence. Escaping to France 
he was elected to the Convention, was imprisoned by the Jacobins, and wrote 
his " Age of Reason." He returned to the United States, and died in New 
York. Life by Conway. 

Pakenham, Sir Edward M. (1778-1815), served in the Peninsular War 
and in the South of France under the Duke of Wellington. He succeeded 
General Ross in command of a British force employed against New Orleans 
in 1814. His troops were defeated by General Jackson on January 8, 1815, 
and he was killed during the battle. 

Palatinate. Palatinates were in Europe districts the niler of which 
received from the king almost royal rights of ruling in his province. Mary- 
land was by its charter erected into a palatinate after the model of the 
palatinate of Durham in England, and so continued as long as it was under 
proprietary government. The proprietors of Carolina were at first given 
their province as a palatinate. 

Palfrey, John G. (1796-1881), was editor of the North American Review 
from 1835 to 1843. He was Secretary of State in Massachusetts from 1844 
to 1848, and represented Massachusetts in the U. S. Congress as a Whig 
from 1847 to 1849. He wrote a valuable " History of New England," a 
" Life of Colonel William Palfrey " and " The Progress of the Slave Power." 

Palmer, James S. (1810-1867), commanded the " Flirt " during the Mexi- 
can War. He commanded the " Iroquois " at Vicksburg, and was Farragut's 
flag-captain at New Orleans and Mobile. 

Palmer, John M., born in 1817, Senator, was a member of the Illinois 
Senate from 1852 to 1854. He commanded a brigade at New Madrid,. 
Island No. 10, Farmington and Stone River, and a corps in Sherman's 
Georgia campaign in 1864. He was Governor of Illinois from 1869 to 1873. 
He was elected to the U. S. Senate as a Democrat in 1891. 

Palmer, Thomas W., born in 1830, was a member of the Michigan Sen- 
ate from 1879 to 1880. He represented Michigan in the U. S. Senate as a 



Dictionary of United States History. 479 

Republican from 1883 to 1889, and from 1889 to 1890 was Minister to 
Spain. 

Palmetto Ranche, Tex., last engagement of the Civil War, occurring 
May II, 1865. Colonel Barrett with 450 Federal soldiers endeavored to sur- 
prise General Slaughter, commanding 600 Confederates. Barrett was defeated 
with a loss of eighty men. 

Palo Alto, Texas, first important battle of the Mexican War, May 8, 
1846. General Taylor commanded the United States forces, Generals Arista 
and Ampudia the Mexican. Arista opposed Taylor's march from Point 
Isabel to Matamoras to relieve Major Brown, firing upon his advancing col- 
umns. Ringgold's battery replied, while Taylor ordered the main portion 
of his troops to deploy into line. Taylor acted on the defensive, depending 
upon his batteries. The battle lasted one afternoon, at the close of which 
Arista began to retire, defeated, but in fairly good order. The Americans 
numbered 2300, the Mexicans 6000. 

. Panama Canal. The Panama Canal Company (French) was organized 
by Count de Lesseps, March 3, 1880, and under the concession obtained 
from the Colombian Government, was to construct and open the canal by 
March 3, 1892. The face value of the shares issued was approximately 
$500,000,000, but after $266,000,000 had been expended, the company in 
1889 became bankrupt. The total length of the proposed waterway is 
forty-five and one-half miles, and the work actually done is variously esti- 
mated at one-third, one-fifth and one-tenth of the whole. In 1891 Lieuten- 
ant Wyse obtained an extension of the concession for ten years, provided a 
company be formed for its completion; otherwise the Colombian Govern- 
ment will seize the property. In November, 1892, the French Government 
instituted criminal proceedings against the leading officials of the Canal 
Company. 

Panama Congress, was called by the Spanish - American Republics 
in 1826. The United States sent delegates too late for the preliminary 
meeting and the adjourned congress for 1827 never occurred. Among the 
objects of the proposed congress interesting to the United States were: The 
establishment of liberal doctrines of commercial intercourse; assent to the 
doctrine that free ships make free goods, and an agreement that " each will 
guard against the establishment of any future European colony within its 
borders." The failure of the Congress showed that an alliance between the 
United States and the petty Republics was inadvisable. President John 
Quincy Adams was warmly in favor of the proposed meeting, but Congress 
did not favor it. 

Pan-American Congress, an international conference of representatives 
from the United States and from seventeen States of Central and South 
America, which assembled at Washington, October 2, 1889, on the invitation 
of the United States. Its purpose was to adopt some plan of arbitration for the 
settlement of disputes, and plans for the improvement of business intercourse 
and means of communication between the countries. San Domingo was the 
only State to refuse the invitation. The delegates were taken on a tour of 



480 Dictionary of United States History. 

inspection through the Union, prior to assembling for the business conven- 
tion. Nothing very definite was arrived at in the convention, which was of 
value chiefly through its exposition of the commercial status and resources 
of the various countries. The Bureau of American Republics was established 
at the suggestion of this convention. 

Panics, or commercial crises in United States history, begin with that of 
1819, due to speculation and disorder following upon the War of 1812. The 
next followed in 1837. The years preceding had been years of extraordinary 
speculation, carried on with a most unsound banking system. Jackson gave 
the final impetus to the panic by his " specie circular," which struck a great 
blow at credit, and forced many banks to suspend specie payments. The 
country gradually righted itself without the aid of governmental interfer- 
ence, which Van Buren refused to give. In 1857 another period of inflation 
was followed by another crisis. After the war came another period of inflation, 
and, as a result, the panic of 1873. The crisis of 1893 seems to have been 
rather due to financial legislation than to an unsound condition of the busi- 
ness of the country at large. 

Paoli, Pa. Here the British, under Major-General Grey, made a night 
attack upon Wayne's encampment, September 20, 1776. Wayne was utterly 
surprised and could make no eflfective resistance. He lost 150 men. 

Paper. The first attempt at the manufacture of paper in the United 
States was made in 1690 by William Rittinghuysen and William Bradford, 
who established a paper mill at Roxbury near Philadelphia. The paper was 
made wholly of linen rags. In 17 10 William de Wers erected a second mill 
in Germantown, and the third, erected in 1714, on the Chester Creek in 
Delaware, furnished Benjamin Franklin with paper. By 1810 the number 
of paper mills in the United States was estimated at 185, nearly every State 
possessing one or more. In 1870 there were nearly 700 of these establish- 
ments, manufacturing printing, writing and wrapping paper, with a capital 
of $34,365,000. 

Paraguay. A commercial treaty was concluded between the United 
States and Paraguay in 1853, but Paraguay failed to ratify. Difierences 
arose which led to the manifestation of force by the United States, and 
treaties of indemnity, commerce and navigation were concluded in 1859. 

Paris, Louis Philippe d'Orleans, Comte de, eldest grandson of Louis 
Philippe, king of the French, born in Paris in 1838, became an aide-de-camp 
to General McClellan in 1861. He returned to England in 1862. He has 
published several volumes of a " Histoire de la Guerre Civile en Ameriqne," 
which is to be completed in eight volumes. He has since been noted 
because of his claims to the French throne. Died September 8, 1894. 

Paris, Declaration of. At the Peace of Paris, in 1856, the following 
declaration with regard to the conduct of war was subscribed to by all the 
parties to the treaty, and has since been accepted by nearly all civilized 
nations, except the United States, (i) Privateering is and remains abol- 
ished. (2) Neutral goods in enemies' ships and enemies' goods in neutral 
ships, except contraband of war, are not liable to capture. (3) Paper 



Dictionary of United States History. 481 

blockades are unlawful. The United States refused to agree to the aboli- 
tion of privateering. This cost them heavily in the Civil War. 

Paris, Monetary Conferences at. There have been three International 
Monetary Conferences held in Paris. The first was assembled June 17, 
1867, at the solicitation of France, "to consider the question of uniformity 
of coinage and seek for the basis of ulterior negotiations." The United 
States and nearly every nation of Europe were represented. No definite 
decision could be reached, the convention adjourning July 6. On August 
16, 1878, the second International Monetary Convention assembled at Paris, 
at the suggestion of the United States, " to adopt a common ratio between 
gold and silver for the purpose of establishing internationally the use of 
bimetallic money and securing fixity of relative value between those 
metals." The collective decision of the European delegates was that this 
would be impossible, monetary questions being necessarily governed by the 
special situation of each state or group of states. Adjournment took place 
August 29. The Conference of April 8, 1881, assembled at the call of 
France and the United States, to adopt a settled relative and international 
value between gold and silver. The Conference adjourned July 8, having 
arrived at no agreement. (See Brussels.) 

Paris, Treaty of (1763), was a treat}' concluded between Great Britain, 
France, Spain and Portugal. France ceded to Great Britain Canada, Cape 
Breton and the islands and coasts of the St. Lawrence. The ]\Iississippi 
River from its source to the Iberville and a line thence through Lakes Mau- 
repas and Pontchartrain to the Gulf of Mexico were to bound the Spanish 
and British possessions. Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain. England 
renounced her pretensions to Cuba in favor of Spain and surrendered her 
forts in Spanish America. 

Paris, Treaty of (1782-83). See Versailles, by which name that treaty is 
more familiarly known, though in reality the treaty between the United 
States and Great Britain was signed at Paris and not, like the treaty between 
Great Britain and France, at Versailles. 

Parish. In England the parish was, at the time of the settlement of 
America, the unit of local government. Its leading institutions were appa- 
rently adopted in the town government of the New England colonies, but 
in the Southern colonies were imitated exactly, with the same name. The 
Virginia parish, for instance, was usually a sub-division of the county. 
Besides its religious duties, the vestn,- of the parish had to choose church- 
wardens and with them to take charge of the poor, of public processioning 
of bounds, of the counting of tobacco, and of other administrative matters. 
They chose the clergyman and provided for his salary. In New England 
the word parish had only an ecclesiastical significance. In South Carolina 
the parish was the chief subdivision of the colony, there being no counties. 
In Louisiana the same is still true. 

Parke, John G., born in 1827, was first in command at Fort Macon. He 
fought at South Mountain and Antietam, and was chief of staflT to General 
Burnside at Fredericksburg and Vicksburg. He was promoted major-general 
of volunteers. 

31 



482 Dictionary of United States History. 

Parker, Amasa J. (1807-1890), represented New York in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1837 to 1839. He was a Judge of the New York 
Supreme Court from 1847 to 1855. 

Parker, Foxhall A. (1821-1879), commanded the "Mahaska" from 1862 
to 1863. From 1863 to 1866 he commanded the Potomac flotilla. He was 
chief signal officer of the navy from 1873 to 1876. 

Parker, Sir Hyde (1739-1807), British naval officer, served on the 
"Phoenix" on the American station, and in 1776 engaged in the attack on 
New York. He conveyed the troops which captured Savannah in 1778. 

Parker, Joel (1816-1888), was a member of the New Jersey Assembly 
from 1847 to 1850, and prosecuting attorney from 1852 to 1857. -^^ '^^^ 
Governor of New Jersey from 1862 to 1866 and in 1870. The National 
Labor Convention in 1872 nominated him for Vice-President of the United 
States. He was a Judge of the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1880 to 
1888. 

Parker, Sir Peter (1721-1811), left England in 1775 as post-captain in 
the " Bristol " to co-operate with Sir Henry Clinton in an attack on Charles- 
ton, S. C. He made a gallant but unsuccessful assault on Fort Moultrie in 
1776. He aided Lord Howe in the capture of New York, and commanded 
the squadron that took possession of Rhode Island. In 1782 he took De 
Grasse prisoner. 

Parker, Sir Peter (1786-1814), was sent in command of the "Menelaus"' 
to patrol Chesapeake Bay and blockade Baltimore harbor in 1814. He 
wantonly destroyed and plundered public and private property, and com- 
pletely destroyed all domestic commerce during the month of his blockade. 
His conduct was exceedingly exasperating to the Americans. He was killed 
during one of his skirmishing " frolics." 

Parker, Theodore (1810-1860), was pastor of a Unitarian church at West 
Roxbur>', Mass., from 1837 to 1845. In 1845 ^^ established the "Twenty- 
Eighth Congregational Society " in Boston. He was an ardent opponent of 
all pro-slavery sentiments, and exerted a powerful anti-slaver>' influence. 
He was the leader of a new and more practical phase of the Unitarian 
movement. 

Parkman, Francis (1823-1893), attained high rank as a historian and 
writer by a series of works relating to the rise and fall of the French 
dominion in America. During his later years he was regarded as the fore- 
most of American historians. In the preparation of his series he fre- 
quently visited Europe to consult the French archives. It is a work of great 
candor and fairness, and is notable for its brilliant and graphic style and 
evidences of careful research. It includes " The Conspiracy of Pontiac," 
" Pioneers of France in the New World," " The Discovery of the Great 
West," "The Jesuits in North America," "The Old Regime in Canada," 
" Count Frontenac and New France under Louis XIV.," " A Half-Century 
of Conflict," and " Montcalm and Wolfe. " 

Parliament. The right of Parliament to legislate for the colonies was 
not seriously questioned during the earlier portions of colonial history. In 



Dictionary of United States History. 483 

1761 James Otis denied the right of Parliament to tax the colonists, since 
they were not represented in Parliament. The Stamp Act of 1765, and 
other measures of taxation caused by the Seven Years' War, caused the same 
protest to be made generally. From this the revolutionary party advanced 
to the position that Parliament had also no right to legislate for the colonies. 
The Declarator)- Act of 1766 and the Townshend Acts of 1767 aimed to 
perpetuate the system. The Parliament of 1768-1774, noted for aversion to 
popular rights in England, as well as in America, abetted the king in all his 
American policy. Chief among their measures of this purport were the 
Boston Port Act, the Massachusetts Charter Act, the Quebec Act and the 
Quartering Act. 

Parris, Samuel (1653-1720), bom in England, was a clergyman in Salem, 
Mass., from 1689 to 1696. In 1692 his daughter and niece accused Tituba, 
a slave, of bewitching them. Mr. Parris beat Tituba until she confessed. 
The delusion spread, and during the horrors of the " Salem witchcraft," 
here inaugurated, nineteen persons were hanged. He afterward acknowl- 
edged his error. 

Parrott, Robert P. (1804-1877), invented the system of rifled cannon and 
projectiles which bears his name. The Parrott guns exhibit great endur- 
ance, one at Charleston having been fired 4606 times before bursting, and 
were of great service in the Civil War. 

Parsons, Samuel H. (1737-1789), was a member of the Connecticut 
Assembly from 1762 to 1780. He planned the capture of Ticonderoga in 
1775. He fought at Long Island in 1776, and commanded a brigade at 
White Plains and the troops at New York Highlands from 1778 to 1779. 
He succeeded General Israel Putnam in command of the Connecticut line 
in 1780. He had an important part in the forming of the Ohio Company, 
the securing of the Ordinance for the Government of the Northwest Terri- 
tory and the early settlement of Ohio. 

Parsons, Theophilus (1750-1813), was graduated at Harvard, and rose to 
the leading position among the lawyers of Massachusetts. He was a mem- 
ber of the famous Essex Junto. He was foremost among the Federalists 
in the Ratifying Convention of 1788. Aside from service in the State 
Legislature he held no further political office. He was Chief Justice of the 
Massachusetts Supreme Court from 1806 until his death. 

Parsons' Case, a celebrated law case won by Patrick Henry in November 
session of the Court of Hanover County, Va., in 1763. This case involved 
the constitutionality of the " option law " or " two penny act," passed by the 
Virginia Legislature in 1758. The operation of this act affected each parish 
minister, compelling him to receive the value of the 16,000 pounds of tobacco, 
due for his year's services, in paper money of the colonv. amounting to 
;^i33 instead of ;^400 sterling, the selling value of the tobacco. The clergy 
appealed to the crown. The crown disallowed (vetoed) the law. Under 
this di.sallowance the Rev. James Maury having sued for damages, the court 
squarely " adjudged the act to be no law," and decided for the plaintiff. A 
new trial was allowed on a demurrer, and Henr\' was retained as counsel for 
the defendant. His eloquence induced the jury, a picked jury, to return 



484 Dictionary of United States History. 

one penny damages for the plaintiff. Success in this famous case made 
Henry's reputation at once. 

Parton, James (1822-1891), came to the United States from England in 
1827. -^^ published lives of Horace Greeley, Aaron Burr, Andrew Jackson, 
Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, " General Butler in New Orleans," 
" Noted Women in Europe and America," " How New York is Governed " 
and " Captains of Industry." Of these his Jackson is the most important. 

Pastorius, Francis D. (1651-1719), came to America from Germany in 
1683 and founded a colony of Germans and Dutch at Germantown, Pa. He 
signed the first protest made in America against slavery in 1688. 

Patent Office. This office, or bureau, was created in 1836 in the Depart- 
ment of State, the chief officer being the Commissioner of Patents. The 
Patent Office was transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1849, 
when this latter department was created. Originally patents were signed by 
the President, then by the Secretary of State and the Commissioner of 
Patents; now by the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner. 

Patents. The Constitution confers upon Congress the power to issue 
patents for useful inventions. A few patents had been issued by the States. 
The first patent law, passed in 1790, granted letters patent upon any new 
invention, for fourteen years, to both citizens and foreigners. Application 
had to be made to the Secretaries of War, the State and the Navy. The 
Act of 1793 permitted the issue of patents to citizens only and required a 
fee of $30. States were not permitted to issue patents. This was decided 
in the case of Gibbons z's. Ogden in New York. In 1836, the year of the 
establishment of the patent office, a law was passed requiring a preliminary 
examination of the novelty and patentability of inventions. Under the Law 
of 1842 patents were granted for seven years. This term was afterward 
extended to its present length of seventeen years. Finally by the Act of 
1870 patents are to be granted to any person who can prove the newness 
and desirability of his invention, on payment of the required fee. The 
number of patents, annually issued, which in 1844 was 502, is now (1894) 
about 25,000. 

Paterson, William (i 745-1 S06), was a New Jersey Delegate to the Conti- 
nental Congress from 1780 to 1781. He was a member of the Federal Con- 
vention of 1787, and proposed the preservation of State sovereignty, in what 
was called the "New Jersey Plan." He was a U. S. Senator from 1789 
to 1790, Governor of New Jersey from 1791 to 1793, and a Justice of the 
U. S. Supreme Court from 1793 to 1806. 

Pathfinder, the nickname of General John C. Fremont, given him because 
-of his valuable western explorations from 1837 to 1853. 

Patrol, a military system adopted by the parishes of most of the Southern 
colonies, notably South Carolina. The patrol was a sort of police for the 
parish, and was designed especially to prevent and subdue insurrections 
among the slaves. In South Carolina the patrol was established by law in 
1704. The patrollers furnished their own pistols and horses. They rode 
from plantation to plantation and arrested all slaves who could not show 



Dictionary of United States History. 485 

passes from their owners. This system soon became general through the 
South, and continued under various forms for many years. 

Patrons of Husbandry, or " Grangers," a secret association formed at 
Washington, December 4, 1867, for the promotion of agricultural interests. 
It somewhat resembles the order of the Masons. By 1875, it numbered 
1,500,000 members in every section of the country. Though not intended 
for political purposes, its aim to cheapen transportation involved it in a 
^uasz-politic&l warfare with railroad corporations. 

Patroons. In 1629 the Dutch West India Company, in order to effect a 
permanent agricultural colonization of New Netherland, granted a charter 
of "Privileges and Exemptions" to any members of the company who 
would within four years plant a colony of fifty anywhere in New Nether- 
land, except on Manhattan Island. These wealthy grantees were called 
Patroons, and were privileged to rule their colonies in absolute feudal style, 
the colonists being bound to them for a certain number of years. This system 
was soon found to be disadvantageous, since it tended to debar the less 
wealthy class of individual colonists. In 1640 the charter was modified and 
extended to any good citizen of the Netherlands. In later years there were 
frequent quarrels between the Patroons and the provincial government. 

Patterson, Daniel T. (i 786-1 839), commanded the naval forces at New 
Orleans in 1814, co-operating with General Jackson. He commanded the 
flotilla that destroyed the stronghold of Jean Lafitte at Barataria. 

Patterson, Robert (i 743-1 824), came to Pennsylvania from Ireland in 
1768. He served in the Colonial army, was appointed Director of the Mint 
by President Jefferson in 1805 and served till 1824. 

Pattison, Robert E., born in 1850, was comptroller of Philadelphia from 
1877 to 1882. He was Governor of Pennsylvania from 1883 to 1887, and 
was again elected in 1890, to serve from 1891 to 1895. 

Patton, Jacob H., born in i8i2,has published "A Concise History of the 
American People," "The Democratic Party, Its Histor}- and Influences," 
" A Brief History of the Presbyterian Church in the United States," and 
" The Natural Resources of the United States." 

Paul vs. Virginia, an important case before the U. S. Supreme Court. In 
1866 Samuel Paul, of Virginia, was indicted by the Circuit Court of Peters- 
burg and sentenced to pay a fine of fifty dollars for refusing, in his capacity 
of insurance agent for a New York company, to comply with that statute of 
the State of Virginia which required the deposit in the State Treasury of 
certain moneys in State bonds by insurance companies not incorporated 
under the State laws, or the agents of such companies, in return for a license. 
The Court of Appeals of Virginia confirmed the decree of the Circuit Court, 
and the Supreme Court of the United States confirmed that of the Court of 
Appeals on the ground that the State statute in question did not conflict 
with the clause of the National Constitution, which declares that " the 
citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities 
of citizens in several States," nor with the power of Congress to " regulate 
commerce with foreign nations and among the several States." 



4S6 Dictionary of United States History. 

Paulding, James K. (i 779-1860), was associated with Washington Irving 
in the publication of the " Salmagundi " in 1807. He was Secretary of the 
U. S. Navy from 1838 to 1841. He was a facile essayist and humorist. He 
wrote " Life of Washington," " The Backwoodsman," " Slavery in the 
United States," "Old Continental, or the Price of Liberty," and "The 
Dutchman's Fireside," a novel. 

Paulding, John (1758-1818), was one of the three captors of Major 
Andre, and it was largely due to his influence that Andre was delivered to 
the authorities. He served throughout the Revolution. 

Paulus Hook, Capture of, August 18, 1779. Paulus Hook was a sandy 
isthmus on the site of Jersey City. This place was captured from the British 
by Major Lee with 300 men. A mistake of the British favored their sur- 
prise. One hundred and fifty-nine prisoners were taken. 

Pawnee Indians, for a long time inhabitants of Nebraska on the Platte, 
have always been friendly to the Americans. By a treaty in 1833 they sold 
lands south of the Nebraska. They were afterward attacked by the Sioux 
and their lands devastated. In 1857 t^^^Y sold more of their lands, but the 
Government did not protect them from further ravages of the Sioux. 

Payne, Henry B., born in 1810, represented Ohio in the U. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1875 to 1877. He was a member of the Electoral Com- 
mission in 1877, and a U. S. Senator from 1885 to 1891. Died 1896. 

Payne, John Hovirard (i 792-1852), was an author and actor of consider- 
able merit and fame at home and abroad. He is eminent as the author of 
" Home, Sweet Home," which he composed for his drama, " Clari, or the 
Maid of Milan." His renown as a song-poet was unsurpassed. He was 
U. S. Minister to Tunis from 1841 to 1845 and from 1851 till his death. 

Pea Ridge, Ark., a hot engagement, March 7, 1862, between 10,500 
Union soldiers under General Curtis and 20,000 Confederate troops, includ- 
ing some 6000 Cherokee Indians, commanded by General Van Dorn, who 
had superseded Price and McCulloch. The Confederates began the fight, 
advancing toward Sugar Creek, along which Curtis had deployed his forces, 
Davis occupying the centre, Carr the right and Sigel the left. McCulloch 
first attacked the Union left, and then, moving to the east, endeavored to 
join Van Dorn and Price against Curtis' left and centre. This movement 
was prevented by Sigel. At the close of the first day the National army 
had been defeated on their right, and the Confederates on their right. The 
following day the Confederates were compelled to retreat through the defiles 
of Cross Timber Hollow, being unable to withstand the cross firing of Davis 
and Sigel. The loss on both sides was quite heavy, the Confederates faring 
the worst. 

Peabody, Andrew P. (1811-1893), was editor of the North American 
Revieiv from 1S54 to 1863, and professor of Christian morals at Har\'ard 
from i860 to 1881. He won esteem as a profound thinker, facile writer and 
lovable teacher. 

Peabody, George (1795-1869), born in Danvers, Mass., was a most liberal 
philanthropist. From 1814 to 1837 he was in mercantile business in 




CONFEDERATE GENERALS. 



Braxton Bragg. 
P. G. T. Beauregard. 

James Longstreet. 
Joseph E. Johnston. 



David H. H.iL 
J. E. B. Stuart. 
Robert E. Lee. 
Leonidas Polk. 
John B. Hood. 



Thomas Jonathan Jaclison. 

A S- Johnston. 

A. P. Hill. 
Jubal A. Early. 



DICTIONARY OF UNITED STATES HiSTORY. 487 

Baltimore. In 1838 he established the famous banking firm of George 
Pea body and Company in London. He founded the Peabody Institute at 
Baltimore in 1857 with $1,000,000, gave $2,500,000 for constructing lodging- 
houses for the poor in London, and $3,500,000 for the promotion of educa- 
tion in the South. His public charities exceeded $10,000,000. 

Peabody Museum, instituted as part of Harvard University in 1866 by 
George Peabody, an American banker, living in England. The best organ- 
ized work in archaeology and ethnology accomplished in the United States 
has been done under the auspices of this institution. 

Peace Commission. In May, 1778, a Peace Commission was sent to the 
colonies by Lord North. The Commission offered all manner of conciliatory 
terms: an extension of the privileges of trade, an abolition of the quartering 
act, a representation of the colonies in Parliament, an arrangement for 
sustaining Continental bills of credit, and an almost independent colonial 
administration. The terms were refused and a treaty with France concluded. 

Peace Conference. In January, 1861, the Legislature of Virginia passed 
a resolution inviting the various States to appoint delegates to meet at 
Washington to consider an adjustment of the national difficulties then 
pending. This Conference met February 4 and adjourned February 27. 
Twenty-one States were represented. As a result of the deliberations of the 
Conference a constitutional amendment was proposed which prohibited 
slavery north of the parallel of 36° 30' northern latitude ; south of this line 
it was to e.xist without restraint. It denied the right of passing laws giving 
freedom to slaves temporarily in the free States or to fugitive slaves, and 
forbade Congress from controlling slavery in the Southern States, but pro- 
hibited the slave trade. The amendment was brought up in the Senate, but 
failed of introduction in the House. 

Peach Tree Creek, Ga., a battle, July 20, 1864, during Sherman's cele- 
brated march through Georgia. Sherman was then advancing on Atlanta, 
and Johnston proposed to attack him as he crossed Peach Tree Creek, or else 
allow him to attack the Georgia State troops at the Decatur and IMarietta 
roads and then fall upon his flank. Sherman advanced with Thomas on the 
right, Schofield in the centre and McPherson on the left. June 20 Hood 
advanced to the attack and endeavored to cut Thomas off from Schofield and 
McPherson. Stewart's corps attacked Sherman's right centre under Newton, 
who, though surprised, held his ground. Hooker's whole corps was left 
uncovered and suffered severely, but managed to drive the Confederates back. 
Thus the attack failed. Sherman had 30,000, Hood 50,000. 

" Peacock," eighteen guns, Captain Warrington. April 29, 1814, this 
sloop attacked, off Florida, the- British brig, " Epervier," eighteen guns. 
The battle lasted forty minutes, resulting in the capture of the " Epervier " 
and the killina: and woundina: of twentv-two of its men. It had aboard 
$118,000 in specie, and proved a ver>' valuable prize. On June 30, 1815, the 
" Peacock " attacked and captured the " Nautilus," fourteen guns. This 
took place after the treaty of peace. Next day, on ascertaining this fact, 
Captain Warrington gave up the " Nautilus " and returned home. 



488 Dictionary of United States History. 

" Peacock," brig. (See "Hornet.") 

Peale, Charles Wilson (1741-1827), of Pennsylvania, was prominent as a 
portrait painter. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature in 
1779. He painted likenesses of nearly all the prominent officers in the Con- 
tinental ami}'. He painted the first portrait of Washington in 1772. His 
versatility was marked. 

Peale, Rembrandt (1778-1860), of Pennsylvania, attained prominence as 
a portrait painter. One of his most famous pictures is a likeness of Wash- 
ington. He painted the famous "Court of Death" and "The Roman 
Daughter." 

Pearce, James A. (1805-1862), represented Maryland in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1835 to 1839 and from 1841 to 1843. He was a 
U. S. Senator from 1843 to 1862. 

Peary Expedition. In 1891 Lieutenant R. E. Peary conducted a scientific 
Arctic exploration to Greenland under the auspices of the Academy of 
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. He sailed in June and reached McCormick 
Bay the following month. From this place Peary and his wife and party 
made a number of exploring tours, reaching as far north as 82°. A journey of 
1300 miles was accomplished in sleds, and much valuable geographical and 
geological research was made. A relief party was dispatched to McCormick 
Bay in 1892. 

Peck, John J. (1821-1878), of New York, served in every battle except 
one during the Mexican War. He commanded a brigade at Williamsburg 
and Fair Oaks and was in command at Suffolk against Longstreet in 1863. 

Peculiar Institution, a phrase applied to negro slavery' about 1852 by the 
South Carolina Gazette and afterward in general use. 

Pedro II. (1825-1891), was Emperor of Brazil from 1841 to 1889. He 
opened the Amazon to the commerce of all nations in 1867. He visited the 
United States in 1876 and aided President Grant in opening the Centennial 
Exhibition. He was deposed in 1889. ^ 

Pegram, Robert B., of Virginia, born in 1811, resigned from the U. S. 
navy in 1861 and entered the Confederate service. He commanded the 
" Nashville " in 1861 and the " Virginia " (" Merrimac "). Died 1894. 

Peirce, Benjamin (1809-1880), won distinction for his original and exten- 
sive work in pure and in applied mathematics. He was a professor at 
Harvard from 1833 to 1867. He published many mathematical works. 

" Pelican," the ship in which Sir Francis Drake made his famous voyage 
around the world, leaving England November 15, 1577, and returning to 
that country September 26, 1580. 

" Pelican," sloop. (See "Argus.") 

Pemaquid, the first permanent settlement made in Maine. It was estab- 
lished by John Brown, of New Harbor, who bought lands from the Indians 
July 15, 1625. It was also the name originally given to the Kennebec 
River, near which the settlement was located. 



Dictionary of United States History. 489 

Pemberton, John C. (1814-1881), was graduated from the U. S. Military 
Academy in 1837. He served against the Seminoles in Florida from 1837 
to 1839. He was an aide on General Worth's staff during the Mexican 
War, and was promoted major for services at Monterey and Molino del Rey. 
He joined the Confederates in 1861 as staff officer to General Johnston. In 
1862 he was assigned command of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida and 
constructed Fort Wagner and Battery B. He received command in Missis- 
sippi, and in 1863 was defeated at Champion Hills and Vicksburg by General 
Grant, after commanding Vicksburg during its siege. 

Pendergrast, Garrett J. (1802-1862), in command of the "Cumberland" 
protected Hampton Roads at the beginning of the Civil War and prevented 
the U. S. vessels from falling into the hands of the Confederates. 

Pendleton, Edmund (i 721-1803), one of the principal Virginian patriots 
and orators, served in the House of Burgesses and as a member of a Committee 
of Correspondence, and was a delegate to the first Continental Congress. 
As president of the Virginia Convention, he was the head of the State Gov- 
ernment 1775-1776, and afterward president of the Committee of Safety. 
He drew up the resolutions instructing the State representatives in Congress 
to agitate for independence. He was also Speaker of the Legislature and 
President of the Court of Appeals. His most important service was in 1788, 
when he was one of the leaders of the Federalist phalanx in the convention 
called to ratify the Federal Constitution. 

Pendleton, George Hunt (1825-1889), was a member of the Ohio Senate, 
and from 1857 to 1865 was a Democratic Congressman and sat in important 
committees. When McClellan was nominated for President in 1864, Pendle- 
ton received the second place on the ticket. In 1869 he was defeated for 
Governor of Ohio. While U. S. Senator, 1 879-1 885, he was chairman of 
the Committee on Civil Service Reform, and his name is attached to an act 
in furtherance of that measure. President Cleveland in 1885 appointed 
Senator Pendleton Minister to Gennany, where he remained until 1889. 

Pendleton Act, an act for the reformation of the national civil service, 
introduced into the Senate by Pendleton, of Ohio in 1880, but which did 
not become a law until January 6, 1883. It provides for open competitive 
examinations for admission to the public service in Washington, and in all 
custom-houses and post-offices where the official force is of as many as fifty ; 
for the appointment of a Civil Service Commission of three persons and for 
the apportionment of appointments according to the population of States. 

Pends d'Oreilles, or Kalispels, a tribe of Selish Indians, inhabiting Mon- 
tana, Idaho, Washington and British America. They have always been 
friendly to the whites. 

" Penguin," brig. (See " Hornet.") 

Peninsular Campaign. July 21, 1861, McClellan was appointed to com- 
mand all the Federal troops about Washington. The popular cry was at 
that time: " On to Richmond !" McClellan, after months of delay, finally 
landed his forces at Fort Monroe, April 2, 1862, and marched up between 
the York and James Rivers toward Richmond, where Johnston lay encamped. 



490 Dictionary of United States History. 

A month was spent besieging Yorktown, and after all the Confederates 
escaped. At the battle of Williamsburg, May 4, McClellan was successful, 
and again at the battle of Fair Oaks, May 31. Then followed the fights at 
Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mills, White Oak Swamp, Frayser's Farm and Mal- 
vern Hill, on the whole disastrous to the national cause. By the end of 
July the Peninsular Campaign was ended and Richmond had not been 
reached, though probably at one time it might have been. McClellan 
retreated through the Chickahominy swamp to a base on James River. 

Penitentiary. The first penitentiary was founded, by the influence of the 
Friends of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia in 1786. This was followed soon 
after by the New York prisons at Sing Sing and Auburn. In the Philadel- 
phia Penitentiary the system of solitary confinement prevailed, but the New 
York methods imposed silence rather than solitude, and upon this latter plan 
were based the penitentiaries of other States, which soon began to be estab- 
lished. The prison system throughout the country became so noted for its 
perfect and humane discipline that in 1831 De Tocqueville and Beaumont 
came to the United States on their noted tour of inspection. 

Penn, John (i 741-1788), represented North Carolina in the Continental 
Congress from 1775 to 1776 and from 1778 to 1780. He signed the Decla- 
ration of Independence. During the invasion of North Carolina by Lord 
Cornwallis he was placed at the head of public afiairs in the State with 
almost dictatorial powers. 

Penn, John (1729-1795), born in England, was Proprietary Governor of 
Pennsylvania from 1763 to 1771 and from 1773 to 1775. He attempted to 
be neutral during the Revolution. 

Penn, Richard (1735-1811), came to America from England in 1763. He 
was Lieutenant-Governor of Pennsylvania from 1771 to 1773. His rule was 
marked by unprecedented prosperity. 

Penn, William (October 14, 1644-July 30, 1718), the founder of Penn- 
sylvania, was born in London, the son of Admiral Penn. While at O.xford 
he joined the new sect of Quakers, and was expelled from the university. 
For a few years he traveled in France and Italy, and became a court favorite 
in England. From this life he turned to become a minister of the Friends. 
This step led to a break with his father, to imprisonment in the Tower, in 
Newgate and to other persecutions. He was aided, however, by his friend- 
ship with the Duke of York. Penn wrote numerous tracts and theological 
works, " No Cross, no Crown," among others. He had already sent many 
emigrants to America, when Charles II. gave him in 1681 an extensive 
grant. He sailed to his new possession in 1682, laid out the city of Phila- 
delphia and negotiated the famous treaty with the Indians under the elm 
tree. He returned to England in 1684, and had considerable influence at 
court after his friend came to the throne as James II. He was deprived of 
his government in 1692, but it was restored two years later. A visit to his 
colony in 1699 resulted in improving the condition of affairs. The new 
commonwealth had from the first a more tolerant basis than its neighbors. 
Penn returned to England after a few years. In the latter part of his life 



Dictionary of United States History. 491 

he became involved in difficulties and passed some time in the Fleet Prison. 
Life by Ellis, by Janney, and by W. H. Dixon. Macaulay's insinuations in 

his histor}' have been refuted. 

Penn vs. Baltimore, a case involving the boundaries between Penn's and 
Lord Baltimore's land grants from the crown. Charles Calvert, the third Lord 
Baltimore, met Penn's deputy in 1682, Penn in 1683, but nothing was 
decided, though Penn obtained a new grant from the Duke of York reach- 
ing into Delaware and even into Maryland; also a letter from the king 
requesting Baltimore to hasten the adjustment of the boundary. The case 
was taken to London and decided in Penn's favor. A compromise was 
arranged in 1732, and enforced by the Court of Chancer\- in 1760, in accord- 
ance with which a line was run by jMason and Dixon, fixing the boundary 
in 1767 as now. (See art. jMason and Dixon's Line.) 

Pennamite War, a name sometimes employed to designate the Wyoming 
controversy between Pennsylvania and Connecticut. (See Wyoming Con- 
troversy.) 

Pennington, William (i 796-1 862), was Governor of New Jersey from 1837 
to 1842. In 1839 occurred the Broad Seal War, arising from his issuing 
commissions under the great seal of the State to five Democratic Congress- 
men whose election was contested by the Whigs and whose votes would 
determine the Speakership of the U. S. Congress. He was a Republican 
U. S. Congressman from 1S59 to 1861 and Speaker. 

Pennsbury Manor, the name of William Penn's countr}' house in Bucks 
County, four miles above Bristol, on the Delaware, built during Penn's first 
visit on land purchased from the Indians in 1681. 

Pennsylvania, commonly called the "Keystone State," was one of the 
original thirteen colonies. William Penn obtained (1681) a grant of land of 
40,000 square miles from Charles II. as payment of a debt of ^16,000 due to 
Penn's father, an admiral in the English navy. Penn proposed to found a 
colony for the benefit of the Quakers. The king gave it its name in honor 
of Penn. To encourage emigration Penn ofiered a popular government, with 
toleration for all religious beliefs. His penal code was refonnaton,'. The 
Dutch and Swedes already had settlements within his grant, but they were 
incorporated in the new colony. In 1682 Philadelphia was founded from 
plans drawn in England. Penn established a proprietary government and 
his wise administration and humane treatment of the Indians caused the 
colony to flourish. His rights passed to his heirs, of whom they were pur- 
chased in 1776 by the State. Pennsylvania had difficulty with Connecticut 
over the territory' north of latitude 41°, which b}' previous grant had been 
oiven to the latter State. In 1776 this region was organized as the county 
of Westmoreland and was represented in the Connecticut Legislature. This 
■quarrel at one time threatened to cause war between the two States, but in 
1782 the territory in dispute was given to Pennsylvania b}' the decision of a 
Federal court sitting at Trenton. Indian massacres occurred in this region 
in the years 1755, 1763 and 1778. The southern boundary- line was sur\-eyed 
by two English surveyors, Mason and Dixon (1763-67). Delaware, which 
was included in Penn's grant, was erected into a colony by itself (1703) with 



492 Dictionary of United States History. 

a legislature of its own, but under the same governor as Pennsylvania. In 
1756 stage coaches were established between Philadelphia and New York. 
The first Continental Congress met in Philadelphia September 5, 1774. The 
Declaration of Independence (1776), the Battle of Germantown (October 4, 
1777) and Valley Forge (1777-1778) identify the State with the Revolution. 
The State included many Tories. A constitution for the State was made 
in 1776. The Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787 met in Phila- 
delphia. The constitution was ratified by a State Convention (December 
12, 1787). A new State constitution was made in 1790, another in 1838, 
the present in 1873. The "Whiskey" Rebellion (1794) was a protest 
against an Act of Congress of 1790 which increased the tax on distilled 
spirits, largely manufactured in Western Pennsylvania. In national poli- 
tics the State was for many years the Keystone State. From 1825 to 1884 
the electoral votes were never cast for an unsuccessful candidate. Before 
1825 the State was divided by the difference in the occupations and nation- 
ality of the people of the eastern and western sections. The discovery of 
coal and the use of anthracite in the production of iron (1839) led Pennsyl- 
vania to support a protective tariff. In 1835 the Anti-Masons elected a 
Governor. Since the formation of the Republican party, Pennsylvania has 
been a steadily Republican State. From 1856 to 1887 the machinery of the 
party was under the control of Simon Cameron. In 1882 and 1890 the 
Democrats elected the Governor. Pennsylvania was loyal in the support of 
the Union cause and furnished 362,284 men for the army. The greatest 
battle of the war, Gettysburg, was fought on her soil (July 1-3, 1863). The 
population of the State in 1790 was 434,373; in 1890 it had increased to 
5,258,014. History- by Proud. 

Pennsylvania, The Historical Society of, founded in 1824, has issued 
fourteen volumes of " Memoirs," and supported the " Pennsylvania Magazine 
of History and Biography." 

Pennsylvania, University of, Philadelphia. This institution was founded 
as an academy in 1749, and incorporated in 1755. In 1779 it became a 
university, finally completing its organization in 1791. The medical depart- 
ment was founded in 1765, and the law department in 1789. Marked prog- 
ress has been made in recent years since the removal of the university to 
its present site. The college was at the first befriended by Franklin. 

"Pennsylvania Gazette," a semi-weekly newspaper established at Phila- 
delphia December 24, 1728, by Samuel Keimer. The full title was 77;^? Uni- 
versal Instructor in all Arts and Sciences and Pennsylvania Gazette. Keimer 
soon turned it over to the management of his apprentice, Benjamin Franklin, 
who quickly made it the most valuable newspaper property in this country. 
The semi-weekly publication was, however, changed to a weekly, owing to 
lack of subscription. Franklin retired from the management of the Gazette 
in 1766. The Gazette did good service to the Revolutionary cause until the 
British occupation of Philadelphia. Publication was suspended until after 
evacuation. It was then renewed and survived another brief suspension 
in 1 815. The first part of the title was dropped when Franklin assumed 
the management. In 1845 the Gazette was merged in the Daily North 
American.^ which is still published. 



Dictionary of United States History. 493 

" Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser," founded in Philadel- 
phia December 2, 1742, by William Bradford 3d. This journal divided the 
field with the Pennsylvania Gazette until the British occupation of Philadel- 
phia, when it was suspended for a period, but was afterward revived. The 
yij/zrwrt/ made a successful venture as a semi-weekly in 1788. It was dis- 
continued in 1797, and gave place to the Daily American^ a daily newspaper. 

" Pennsylvania Packet, or the General Advertiser," was founded in 
November, 1771, by John Dunlap at Philadelphia. During the British occu- 
pation of Philadelphia it was removed to Lancaster. After the evacuation 
it was brought back and published tri-weekly. It was afterward changed to 
a daily, and appeared under the title Peyinsylvaitia Packet and Daily Adver- 
tiser in 1784. 

Penny (Maryland), a copper coin of the value of two cents, coined in 
England by Lord Baltimore in 1659, and issued in Mar>-land the same year. 
The obverse or face of this penny was stamped with a profile bust of Lord 
Baltimore. The reverse contained a ducal coronet upon which were erected 
two masts, each bearing a flying pennant with the legend Denarium: Terrse- 
Marise. This coin was issued simultaneously with the Maryland shilling. 

Penobscot Expedition, 1779. About 900 men were sent out from Boston 
against a British post on the Penobscot. A combined land and naval attack 
was planned. The land force debarked and gallantly assaulted the fort. 
Owing to disagreement between the commanders, the marines did not sup- 
port them, and a British fleet now appearing on the scene forced all assailants 
to retire. It was an unfortunate affair. The commander, Saltonstall, and 
the generals, Lowell and Wadsworth, were publicly censured. 

Pensacola, Fla., was first settled by French colonists about 1696 and 
came into the possession of the Spaniards in 1699. It fell alternately into 
the hands of the French, Spaniards and British until finally captured by the 
Spaniards in 1781. This Spanish post, though neutral, allowed the British 
to enlist there Indians against the United States in the War of 181 2 and to 
make the town a rendezvous for British forces. General Jackson with 4000 
men advanced from Fort Montgomer}^, and on November 6, 1814, demanded 
from the Spanish Governor possession of the forts. This was refused and 
early next day Jackson stormed the town. The forts were at once sur- 
rendered and the British driven from the harbor. This prompt action on 
Jackson's part prevented another Indian war, drove the British from an 
important point, and punished the Spanish for their violation of the laws of 
neutrality. Jackson again took possession of the town in 1818. In 1819 it 
became a part of the United States. At the beginning of the Civil War 
the navy yard and adjacent forts were seized by the Confederates, and later 
several engagements occurred with the Federal forces. 

Pensions. The germ of the United States pension system lay in the pro- 
vision by Congress near the beginning of the Revolutionary War that 
oflBcers who should continue in the service till the end of the war should 
receive half pay during seven years thereafter. In 1785 Congress recom- 
mended to the States that they should make provision for invalid pensioners, 
and in 1808 the United States assumed the pension obligations of the States. 



494 Dictionary of United States History. 

These were only for persons disabled in tlie service. In 1818 an act was 
passed granting pensions to all who had served nine months or more in the 
Revolutionary army, and were in indigent circumstances. More claimants 
applied than could possibly have survived from Washington's anny, and the 
amount required to be paid during the first year was eleven times what had 
been estimated, and in the second year seventeen times. Subsequent acts 
provided for wars subsequent to the Revolution. Acts of 1836, 1848 and 
1853 provided pensions for all widows of Revolutionary soldiers whenever 
married. A curious result has been that in 1868, when all Revolutionary 
pensioners were dead, there remained 888 widows of such soldiers. In 1893 
thirteen remained. Acts of July 14, 1862, and subsequent dates, provided 
pensions for soldiers and sailors disabled in the Civil War, and for the 
dependent relatives of those who had died. Under these acts expenditures 
for pensions reached a maximum ($34,443,895) in 1871, and then declined 
until, on January 25, 1879, the Arrears Act was passed, allowing " back-pay " 
on all pensions to which claim was then successfully laid. This act doubled 
the total annual sum in two years. Meanwhile an act of 1871 had pensioned 
all who had served a certain time in the War of 181 2, and their widows, if 
married before the Treaty of Ghent. (In 1893 there were 86 such, but 
5425 widows). In 1887, a service pension act for the Mexican War was 
passed. Finally, the Act of June 27, 1890, called the Dependent Pension 
Act, pensioned all who served ninety days in the War of the Rebellion and 
were honorably discharged, and who are incapacitated for manual labor, 
and the widows, children and dependent parents of such. The effect has 
been nearly to double the number of pensioners, and to raise the annual 
charge for pensions above $160,000,000, nearly twice the ordinary annual 
expenditure for the German army. Thirty years from the war, there are 
now nearly a million pensioners, though probably only two million individu- 
als served in the Union army and navy. The total expenditure for pensions 
since 1861, has been about $1,700,000,000. In 1869, pensions were pro- 
vided for retiring U. S. Judges, and widows of Presidents have been pen- 
sioned by special act 

Pensions, Bureau of. Down to 1849, the pension system of the United 
States was administered by the War and Navy Departments. In that year 
it was given over to the Department of the Interior, then created. 

People's Party. Organized during the National Union Conference at 
Cincinnati, May 19, 1891, and formed chiefly from the various Farmers' 
Alliances. A national committee was appointed to look after the interests 
of the new organization, and the platform of the Farmers' Alliance was 
indorsed advocating free silver; the sub-treasury plan; equal taxation; reve- 
nues limited to the necessity of the Government; a graduated income tax; 
the election of President, Vice-President and Senate by a direct vote of 
the people; and prohibition of alien ownership of land. The National 
Convention at Omaha, Neb., July 2, 1892, nominated James B. Weaver, of 
Iowa, for President, and James G. Field, of Virginia, for Vice-President. 
Weaver obtained a popular vote of 1,030,128 and an electoral vote of 
twenty-three. 



Dictionary of United States History. 495 

Pepperrell, Sir William (1696-1759), was a member of the Massachusetts 
Legislature iu 1726, aud in 1727 became a member of the council. He was 
Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas from 1730 to 1759. In 1745 
he was active in procuring men and supplies for an expedition against the 
French in Canada. He commanded the force that captured Louisbourg and 
was made a baronet. He was active in raising and equipping troops during 
the French War of 1755, and commanded the forces on the frontier of Maine 
and New Hampshire. 

Pequots, a tribe of New England Indians, entered into a treaty with the 
colonists at Boston in 1634, but soon became hostile. Expeditions were 
sent against them and they iu turn attacked Wethersfield and killed many 
settlers. In 1637, an expedition under Mason surprised the Indians at a fort 
near the present Groton, Conn. A desperate struggle followed in which the 
Indians were overcome with great loss. The remnant was nearly annihi- 
lated in a subsequent battle at Fairfield swamp. Many of the Pequots were 
sold as slaves, and the remainder of the tribe separated and later became 
widely scattered. 

Percival, James G. (i 795-1 856), of Connecticut, was a popular poet, and 
composed several remarkable lyrics. He was a man of varied and extensive 
knowledge and a fluent writer. 

Percy, George (1586-1632), came to Virginia from England about 1607. 
He succeeded Lord Delaware as Governor, temporarily, in 161 1. He wrote 
" A Discourse of the Plantations of the Southerne Colonic in Virginia." 

Percy, Hugh, Duke of Northumberland (1742-1817), in 1775 (being then 
known as Earl Percy) led a brigade to reinforce the British at Lexington, 
and allowed wanton plundering by his troops during the retreat. Several 
citizens were murdered. In 1776 he led a column at the reduction of Fort 
Washington and was the first to enter the American lines. He returned to 
England in 1776. 

Perfectionists. (See Oneida Community.) 

Perry, Arthur L., born in 1830, has been professor of history and political 
economy at Williams College since 1853. He is an ardent advocate of free 
trade. He has written " Foes of the Farmers " and two books on " Political 
Economy." 

Perry, Matthew Calbraith (i 794-1 858), brother of the victor of Lake 
Erie, served as a boy in the War of 181 2, and later against the pirates. He 
rendered important services while in command of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 
and was promoted to be commodore in 1841. His aid in the capture of Vera 
Cruz in 1847 was valuable, as was his blockade of the coast. Commodore 
Perry is best remembered for his connection with Japan. He organized and 
commanded the expedition to that country — then outside the list of friendly 
nations — in 1853, and signed a treaty with its government in 1854, thus 
opening the " Mikado's Empire " to western influences. 

Perry, Oliver Hazard (i 785-1819), an American naval hero, was a native 
of Rhode Island, and entered the navy as midshipman in 1799. He was in 
the Tripolitan War, and afterward devoted his attention to ordnance. In 



496 Dictionary of United States History. 

1813 he was appointed to command on Lake Erie. With great efforts and 
extraordinary rapidity he built a fleet on tlie lake and drilled his men. His 
preparations being completed, he sailed from Put-in Bay in command of a 
squadron of nine vessels, of which the " Lawrence " and " Niagara " were the 
chief The British commander, Barclay, had six. Their battle of Septem- 
ber 15, 1813, in which Perry showed great ability, resulted in the capture of 
the entire British squadron, and was immortalized in the laconic dispatch, 
"We have met the enemy and they are ours." Perry co-operated in the 
victory of the Thames, was made captain, and served in the defence of 
Baltimore. 

Perryville, Tenn., the chief battle in Bragg's invasion of Kentucky. 
On October 8, 1862, General Bragg, leading 40,000 Confederate troops, was 
retreating from Kentucky into East Tennessee, when at Perryville he was 
overtaken by General Buell, with 58,000 Federals. Bragg was forced to 
turn and give battle. The fight lasted nearly all day, and was at times hand 
to hand. The National left, being composed of raw recruits, was destroyed, 
but the rest of the line, under General Philip H. Sheridan, held out bravely 
and repelled ever>- attack of the Confederates, following them up with 
counter attacks. Buell's loss was 4300, including Generals James S. Jackson 
and William T. Terrill. Bragg's casualties were even heavier. Bragg was 
compelled to retire. Buell did not follow him. 

Persia. The United States concluded a treaty of friendship and com- 
merce with Persia in 1856. 

Personal Liberty Laws, statutes passed by the Northern States to pro- 
tect the negroes within their borders. The first acts were passed about 1840, 
though Indiana and Connecticut had previously provided that fugitives 
might have a trial by jury. After the Prigg decision, many of the States 
passed Acts prohibiting the use of State jails in fugitive slave cases. The 
Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 aroused the most violent opposition in the 
North, and before 1856 many of the States had passed personal liberty 
acts. Beside prohibiting the use of State jails, these laws forbade State 
judges and officers to assist claimants or issue writs. Trial was to be given 
all alleged fugitives. Heavy penalties were provided for the violation of 
these laws. Such acts were passed in Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, 
Massachusetts, Michigan, Maine, Wisconsin, Kansas, Ohio and Pennsylvania. 
Of the Northern States, New Jersey and California alone sanctioned the 
rendition of fugitives. 

Peru. The United States concluded a treaty of peace and commerce with 
the Peru-Bolivian Confederation in 1836. A claims convention was con- 
cluded in 1841 with Peru, by which Peru agreed to pay $300,000 indemnity to 
United States citizens. A commercial treaty was concluded in 185 1. A con- 
vention relative to the rights of neutrals at sea was concluded in 1856. Claims 
conventions were concluded in 1862, 1863 and 1868. A commercial treaty 
was concluded in 1870, and an extradition treaty the same year. A com- 
mercial treaty was concluded in 1887. 

Pet Banks, the name applied to certain State banks selected by the 
Treasury Department as places of deposit for Federal funds withdrawn from 



Dictionary of United States History. 497 

the Bank of the United States. This practice was in vogue during the 
period between 1833 and 1836. The banks were chosen, it was said, not 
because of fitness, but on the principle of the accepted system of granting 
bank charters, namely, of party fidelity. This gave rise to competition 
among the Democratic banks and a wholesale granting of charters, which 
was followed by speculation and inflation of the currenc)'. 

Peters, Hugh (1599-1660), came to America from England in 1635. In 
1636, he succeeded Roger Williams as pastor of the first church in Salem, 
and excommunicated Williams' adherents. He took an active part in public 
affairs. In 163S, he was appointed to collect and revise the Massachusetts 
Colonial Laws. In 1641, he was a commissioner to England and influenced 
the removal of imposts on New England commerce. He afterward played 
an important part in the English Civil War. 

Peters, Richard (i 744-1828), was secretary of the Continental Board of 
War from 1776 to 1781, represented Pennsylvania in the Continental Con- 
gress from 1782 to 1783, and was a U. S. district judge from 1789 to 1828. 

Peters, Samuel (1735-1826), became a Church-of-England minister in the 
churches of Hartford and Hebron, Conn., in 1762. He was suspected of 
being a Tory, and in 1774 was required to make a written declaration that 
he had not communicated w-ith England concerning the controversies with 
the colonies and would not do so. Soon afterward he fled to England. He 
wrote a satirical " History of Connecticut" of little historical value. 

Peters, United States vs., a Supreme Court case of the year 1S09. 
Judge Peters, of the U. S. District Court for Pennsylvania, decided for the 
plaintiffs in the case of Olmstead and others z's. Rittenhouse's Executrixes, 
but refrained from carrying his judgment into execution because of a statute 
passed by Pennsylvania forbidding this. A mandamus was then asked for 
against Peters. The Supreme Court (Judge Marshall), declaring that the 
Legislature of a State cannot annul the judgment or determine the jurisdic- 
tion of a U. S. Court, granted the mandamus, and the decree was executed, 
against the opposition of the Pennsylvania authorities and even of the Penn- 
sylvania militia. (See Olmstead et als. vs Rittenhouse's Executrixes.) 

Peters' Reports, sixteen volumes of law reports by Richard Peters, Jr., 
containing cases from the United States Supreme Courts, 1 828-1 842. 

Petersburg, Va. About this town and Richmond, from June, 1864, to 
April, 1865, there was the most celebrated campaign of the Civil War. 
Gradually Grant had forced Lee's Army of Northern Virginia southward 
until the Confederates lay posted about Petersburg and Richmond. Grant's 
army, including drivers, camp followers, etc., numbered nearly 120,000 
men, while Lee was at the head of about 70,000. By June 10, 1864, the 
Confederates were strongly posted, Lee, with the main command, at Peters- 
burg, and Longstreet on the left at Chapin's Bluff, the line extending along 
the Boydton Road and Hatcher's Run eastward. The campaign was opened 
by Butler, then commanding the Army of the James at Bermuda Hundred. 
June 10, a Federal force was sent by him under Gillmore and Kautz to 
destroy the Appomattox bridges and attempt the capture of Petersburg. 

32 



498 Dictionary of United States History. 

This expedition failed signally. June 14, Grant sent Smith with a large 
force upon a similar expedition. Smith delayed, thus giving the Confederates 
time to assault and defeat him. Grant lost 9000 men in these two expedi- 
tions. The siege of Petersburg practically commenced June 18. Butler 
had affected a valuable lodgment at Deep Bottom, and, on the twenty-first, 
forces under Hancock and Wright endeavored to destroy the Weldon Road, 
but this was frustrated by Hill, who attacked and defeated the Federals dis- 
astrously. Then followed Sheridan's victory at Yellow Tavern and Wilson's 
and Kautz's raid. June 25, Burnside proposed and began the construction 
of a mine to blow up the Confederate lines about Petersburg. This mine 
was in process of construction until July 23, and was sprung July 30. It 
consisted of a shaft 520 feet long with lateral terminations forty feet in each 
direction and was charged with 8000 pounds of powder. Burnside was to 
rush into the breach and seize Cemeter>' Hill, commanding the town. A 
crater 200 feet long by sixty wide was formed by the explosion, and one ' 
Confederate regiment was blown up, but the rest poured such a murderous fire 
upon the advancing Federals that 4000 men were lost, and the attempt failed. 
After this things remained comparatively quiet around Petersburg until 
February, 1865. Then Lee, having been appointed commander-in-chief of 
the entire Confederate force, perceiving that his situation was becoming 
desperate, determined to evacuate Richmond and Petersburg and join Johns- 
ton in the south. To cover his retreat, he sent a strong force on the night 
of March 24, 1865, to assault Fort Steedman. The fort was carried at the 
first assault, but reinforcements failed to come, and the Federals under Parke 
quickly repelled the assault. Of 5000 Confederates, 3000 were killed, and 
Lee's retreat was prevented. The National line then extended without a 
break from the Appomattox to Dinwiddle Court House. April i, the fatal 
battle of Five Forks occurred, Sheridan defeating the Confederates after a 
desperate fight. They were also defeated at Quaker and Boydton Roads. 
April 2, Grant ordered a united attack along the Confederate line from 
Appomattox to Hatcher's Run. Everywhere the Confederates met defeat 
after fearful losses. On April 3, Lee evacuated Richmond and Petersburg 
simultaneously. 

Petigru, James L. (i 789-1 863), was Attorney-General of South Carolina 
from 1S22 to 1830. He ardently opposed the nullification and secession 
movements. He codified the Laws of South Carolina. 

Petition. The Constitution prohibits Congress from making any law to 
abridge " the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the 
Government for a redress of grievances." February 11, 1790, a petition 
signed by Franklin was offered to Congress praying the abolition of slaver>', 
but it was unnoticed. Between 1830 and 1844 numerous petitions from 
abolitionists poured in. February 8, 1835, Henry L. Pinckney, of South 
Carolina, suggested that resolutions be adopted to the effect that Congress 
cannot constitutionally interfere with slavery in any of the States. The 
committee on these resolutions reported favorably and suggested that there- 
after abolition petitions be laid on the table. These were adopted. John 
Ouincy Adams opposed these " gag rules " during ten years, finally accom- 
plishing their abolition in 1844, 



Dictionary of United States History. 499 

Petroleum. Its existence was known to the Indians of Western New 
York, and it was collected in small quantities by them and by the early 
settlers of New York and Pennsylvania, amounting sometimes to as much 
as twenty barrels in a year. The first organized and successful effort to bore 
for petroleum was made in 1854 by a New York company along Oil Creek, 
N. Y. Oil was struck at seventy-one feet, and as much as a thousand barrels 
per day was obtained. Oil fields were quickly located elsewhere in New 
York and in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, those of Pennsylvania 
proving the richest. The latter yielded 3,000,000 barrels in 1862. Gaso- 
lene, naphtha, kerosene, parafifine and other products soon began to be manu- 
factured from the petroleum. 

Pettaquamscut Purchasers, a company formed by John Hull, of Pine 
Tree Shilling fame, in 1660, which bought lands from the Indians about 
Pettaquamscut Rock, in the Narragansett country. This company was in 
constant collision with Atherton's company at Wickford. (See Narragansett 
Country'.) 

Pettit, Charles (1736-1806), was secretary^ of New Jersey from 1772 to 
1778. He was assistant quartermaster-general of the Continental army from 
1778 to 1783. He represented Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress 
from 1785 to 1787. 

Pewter Muggers, a New York faction of the Democratic party which was 
opposed to the Tammany candidates in 1828. Their meetings being held in 
a Frankfort Street resort over peivter jniigs^ the name was afl5xed by their 
opponents. 

" Phebe," brig. (See " Essex.") 

Phelps, Edward J., born in 1822, was second comptroller of the Treasury 
from 1 85 1 to 1853. After the breaking up of the Whig party he became a 
Democrat. He became professor of law at Yale in 1881. He was Minister 
Plenipotentiary to England from 1885 to 1889. 

Phelps, Elizabeth Stuart, born in Massachusetts in 1844, has been 
prominent in temperance reform and efforts for the advancement of woman. 
She wrote " The Gates Ajar," " Hedged In," and many stories. 

Phelps, John W. (1S13-1885), of Vermont, served during the Mexican 
War. In the Civil War he commanded a brigade at Newport News, reduced 
Ship Island, and fought at New Orleans. He was candidate of the Ameri- 
can party for President in 1880. 

Phelps, Samuel S. (1793-1855), was a Judge of the Vermont Supreme 
Court from 1831 to 1838. He represented Vermont in the U. S. Senate 
from 1839 to 1 85 1, and from 1853 to 1854. He was a pro-slavery Democrat. 

Phelps, W^illiam Walter, born in 1839, represented New Jersey in the 
U. S. Congress as a Republican from 1873 to 1875. He was Minister to 
Austria from 1881 to 1882. He was a U. S. Congressman from 1883 to 
1889, when he became Minister to Germany and ser\'ed until 1893. He is 
known as a staunch supporter of a protective tariff. Died June 17, 1894. 



500 Dictionary of United States History. 

Philadelphia, Pa., was founded by coinmissioiiers appointed by William 
Penn in 1681. The site of the present city was originally settled by Swedes. 
In 1683 Philadelphia was chosen as the capital of the colony, and continued 
to be such for 117 years. During the earlier part of the Revolution the city 
was the virtual capital of the colonies. Here the first Continental Congress 
convened in 1774; on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was 
adopted; on July 9, 1778, the Articles of Confederation were signed; and in 
17S7 the Constitution of the United States prepared. Here also, in 1786, 
the "Protestant Episcopal Church of North America" was organized. In 
December, 1790, Congress convened here, and continued to hold its sessions 
in the city for ten years. Tlie first American bank was established here in 
1781, and the first United States Mint in 1792. In 1876 the centennial cele- 
bration of the independence of the colonies was held in Philadelphia, and 
in 1882 the bi-centennial of the landing of William Penn was observed. 
The University of Pennsylvania was incorporated here in 1779. The city 
was from the first noted for philanthropic institutions. 

Philip, King, chief of the Wampanoags, died in 1676. He was the son 
of Massasoit, and succeeded to the chieftainship in 1662. He was for many- 
years friendly to the whites, but realized the decline of the Indian race, and 
was led to hostilities by the encroachments of the colonists, which rendered 
his tribe restless and discontented. In 1675 he inaugurated " King Philip's 
War," and enlisted in his service nearly all the New England tribes. Thir- 
teen towns were destroyed, and 600 colonists lost their lives. He was killed 
at Mount Hope, R. I., and his tribe was almost annihilated. 

Philippa, or Philippi, W. Va., the first engagement during McClellan's 
West Virginia campaign. Here Colonel Porterfield, commanding 1000 Con- 
federate troops, was surprised and routed June 3, 1861, by Colonels Kelly 
and Dumont, with two regiments of McClellan's army. This occurred 
subsequently to West Virginia's rejection of the secession ordinance. Porter- 
field was engaged in burning bridges along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. 

Philipse, Frederick (1626-1702), came to New Amsterdam from Holland 
about 1640. In 1693 part of his vast estate was erected by royal charter 
into the " Manor of Philipseborough." For over fifty years he was very 
prominent in colonial affairs. 

Phillipps, Adelaide (1S33-1882), came to America from England in 1840. 
She was for many years the leading contralto singer in America. Her voice 
had a compass of two and a half octaves. 

Phillips, John (1719-1795), with his brother Samuel, founded Phillips 
Andover Academy in 1780, and in 1781 founded Phillips Exeter Academy 
with an endowment of $134,000. 

Phillips, Wendell (1811-1884), one of the greatest platform orators of the 
country, was born in Boston and graduated at Harvard in 1831. He became 
a lawyer, but from 1837 onward gave his chief energies to the abolitionist 
movement. He was the lecturer of the cause, as Garrison was the writer. 
For many years he labored against a hostile sentiment. He succeeded Gar- 
rison as president of the anti-slavery society. He was, moreover, an ardent 



Dictionary of United States History. 501 

advocate of the temperance and woman suffrage reforms, a champion of the 
greenback party, and an eloquent and acceptable lecturer on various topics, 
such as the " Lost Arts," etc. 

Phillips, William (1731-1781), was appointed a major-general in the Brit- 
ish army in America in 1776. He commanded at St. John till 1777, when 
he became second in command to Burgoyne at Montreal. By his skill and 
energy as an artilleryman he forced the evacuation of Ticonderoga by General 
St. Clair. He was prominent in the two Saratoga battles, and succeeded 
Burgoyne in the command of the surrendered troops. He was promoted 
lieutenant-general in 1780. In 1781 he joined General Benedict Arnold with 
2000 men and assumed command. He died of typhoid fever soon afterward. 

Phips, Sir William (1651-1695), engaged in trade and in 1687 recovered 
_;^30o,ooo from a wrecked Spanish vessel. In 1690 he commanded the 
expedition which captured Port Royal and made an unsuccessful attempt to 
reduce Quebec with a naval force of thirty-four vessels and about 2000 men. 
While in England in 1692 he was appointed Governor of Massachusetts. 
He was prominent in the suppression of witchcraft. He was a man of great 
industry and integrity. He died while visiting England to answer charges 
against him. 

Piatt, Donn (1819-1891), was Secretary of Legation at Paris from 1853 
to 1857, and for nine months was Charg^ d' Affaires. He served on the staff 
of General Schenck during the Civil War. 

Pickens, Andrew (1739-1817), served in the Cherokee War in 1761. In 
1779 he defeated the British under Colonel Boyd at Kettle Creek and was 
active at the battle of Stono. He commanded the militia at Cowpens, 
captured Augusta and led the Carolina militia at Eutaw Springs. He served 
in the South Carolina Legislature from 1783 to 1794, and was a U. S. Con- 
gressman from 1793 to 1795. He was again in the South Carolina Legis- 
lature from 1 801 to 181 2. He negotiated numerous treaties with the Southern 
Indians. 

Pickens, Francis W. (i 805-1869), represented South Carolina in the U. S. 
Congress as a NuUifier from 1834 to 1843. He was Governor of South 
Carolina from i860 to 1862. He demanded the surrender of Fort Sumter 
and gave the order to fire upon the " Star of the West." 

Pickering, John (1777-1846), of Massachusetts, was celebrated for his 
philological studies, and was one of the founders of American Comparative 
Philology. He published " A Vocabulary of Americanisms " and " Remarks 
on the Indian Languages of North America." 

Pickering, Timothy (i 745-1829), was a Harvard graduate and militia 
officer in Massachusetts, who entered actively into the civil and military life 
of the Revolution. He was made adjutant-general of the army in 1776, and 
member of the board of war, and in 1780 he became quartermaster-general, 
materially aiding Washington's final movements. He held this position until 
1785, and tlien settled in Pennsylvania. In 1791 he negotiated a treaty with 
the Six Nations, and the same year he was called to the office of Postmaster- 



502 Dictionary of United States History. 

General. This position he, in 1795, exchanged for that of Secretary of War, 
and a few months later he took charge of the State Department, which he 
held nntil 1800. Becoming again identified with Massachusetts Pickering 
represented that State in the U. S. Senate 1805-1811 and the House 1813- 
181 7. He was a radical Federalist and a member of the Essex Junto. As 
a vigorous opponent of the Embargo he was at one time extremely unpopular. 
Life by Pickering and Upham. 

Pickett, George E. (i 825-1 875), served with distinction during the Mexi- 
can War at Vera Cruz, Contreras and Chapultepec. He joined the Con- 
federates and in 1862 commanded a brigade under General Johnston. He 
was active at Richmond and Gaines' Mills, and commanded a division at 
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Petersburg. His command was routed at 
Five Forks, and he surrendered with General Lee. He was famous for a 
cavalry charge at Gettysburg. 

Pierce, Franklin (November 23, 1804-October 8, 1869), fourteenth Presi- 
dent of the United States, was born at Hillsborough, N. H., graduated at 
Bowdoin (where he was associated with Hawthorne and Longfellow), and 
became a lawyer in his native State. While very young he was Speaker in 
the Legislature, and Democratic Congressman from 1833 to 1837. He was U. 
S. Senator 1 839-1 842, declined a Cabinet offer from President Polk, and 
volunteered in the Mexican War. Appointed to a brigade he showed bravery 
in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco. This " war record " made him 
President. He was President of the State Constitutional Convention in 
1850, and attained high rank at the bar. At the Democratic National Con- 
vention of 1852 Pierce was nominated on the forty-ninth ballot, triumphing 
over the more prominent competitors, Marcy, Cass, Buchanan and Douglas. 
In the election the Whig party collapsed and Pierce received 254 electoral 
votes. The noted names in his Cabinet were Marcy in the State Depart- 
ment, Jefferson Davis Secretary of War, and Caleb Gushing Attorney-Gen- 
eral. His administration was marked at home by the Kansas-Nebraska 
question and the development of the slavery controversy, and abroad by the 
Koszta incident, the Japan treaty and the Nicaraguan affairs. President 
Pierce was defeated for renomination in 1856, and after 1857 lived in retire- 
ment. 

Pierce, Henry L., born in 1825, was a member of the Massachusetts Leg- 
islature from i860 to 1866. He represented Massachusetts in the U. S. 
Congress as a Republican from 1873 to 1877. 

Pierce, William (i740?-i8o6), served with distinction during the Revo- 
lution. He represented Georgia in the Continental Congress from 1786 to 
3787. A member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, he opposed the 
plan adopted. 

Pierpont, John (i 785-1 866), was an ardent reformer, in Massachusetts, 
and earnestly supported the temperance and anti-slavery movements. He 
wrote many poems, one of the most famous being " Warren's Address at the 
Eattle of Bunker Hill." 



Dictionary of United States History. 503 

Pierre, capital of South Dakota, was founded in 1829 "^^^ the site of 
old Fort Pierre. 

Pierrepont, Edwards (1817-1892), was a member of the Union Defence 
Committee in New York. In 1864 he was active in organizing the War 
Democrats. He was appointed prosecutor of John H. Surratt, one of the 
conspirators against President Lincoln. He was active in destroying the 
Tweed ring. He was Attorney-General in Grant's Cabinet from 1875 to 1876, 
and Minister to England from 1876 to 1878. 

Pietas et Gratulatio, a somewhat famous series of adulatory poems in 
Latin emanating from Harvard College in 1762 on the accession of George 
III. 

Pigot, Sir Robert (1720-1796), commanded the left wing of the British force 
at Bunker Hill, where he displayed great skill and bravery. He commanded 
in Rhode Island in 1778. 

Pike, Albert (1809-1891), attained high reputation as a lawyer. He edited 
the Arkansas Revised Statutes in 1836. He fought in the Mexican War and 
organized a force of Cherokees for the Confederates, engaging at Pea Ridge 
and Elkhorn. 

Pike, Zebulon M. (i 779-1813), U. S. army, explored the Mississippi to its 
source in 1805. From 1806 to 1807 he was engaged in geographical explora- 
tions in Louisiana territory and discovered Pike's Peak in the Rocky Moun- 
tains. He was seized by the Spanish Government for trespassing on Spanish 
territory, but was soon afterward released. In 1813 he was assigned to the 
•principal army as adjutant and inspector general. He commanded the expe- 
dition against York, Upper Canada, and was killed by the explosion of a 
magazine of a captured fortification. 

Pilgrim Fathers, the first settlers in ^Massachusetts. In 1608, a party of 
Puritans, chiefly from the north of England, wear}' of the constant religious 
persecutions, left England and settled at Amsterdam, whence they later 
moved to Leyden. But they could not conform to the customs of Holland. 
Accordingly in 1617, Robert Cushman and John Carver were sent to Eng- 
land to treat with the Virginia Company for a grant of settlement in its ter- 
ritory in America. This was readily obtained. Early in 1620, the Pilgrims 
embarked from Delfthaven in the " Speedwell," a vessel chartered in Hol- 
land. Arriving at Southampton, they found the " Mayflower," which 
Cushman had brought from London, awaiting them. August 5, 1620, the 
" Mayflower " and the " Speedwell " left Southampton for the New World. 
Twice the " Speedwell " put back for repairs, and the second time she was 
left, the " Mayflower " sailing alone from Plymouth with 102 passengers, 
September 6. Their destination was to a point near the Hudson River, but 
the wind drove them to the north. Skirting along Cape Cod, November 
II (O. S.), the " Mayflower" dropped anchor off" what is now Provincetown. 
Later the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, and thus the colony of 
Plymouth was begun. The leaders of the Pilgrims were Bradford, Brew- 
ster, Cushman, Miles Standish, and Carver. The name comes from a passage 
in the journal of William Bradford. 



504 Dictionary of United States History. 

Pilgrim Society, a society founded at Plymouth in 1820. It erected Pil- 
grim Hall in 1824, and has a valuable collection of portraits and memorials 
of the early settlers. 

Pilgrims, Landing of. Tradition has not entirely determined who landed 
on Plymouth Rock; whether the exploring party of ten men who landed 
December 11 (old style), or the whole company. It is generally conceded 
that the first landing occurred at that place, that being the most convenient 
within sight. Elder Thomas Faunce, in 1741, then ninety-one years old, 
declared he had heard of it from the oldest planters. 

Pillow, Gideon J. (1806-1878), commanded the right wing of the Ameri- 
can army at Cerro Gordo and led a division at Churubusco, Molino del Rey 
and Chapultepec. In 1861 he was appointed brigadier-general in the pro- 
visional Confederate army. He commanded under General Polk at Belmont. 
When the command devolved upon him at Fort Donelson, he gave it over 
to General Buckner and escaped. 

Pillow, Fort, Tenn., held by the Confederates with 6000 troops and pro- 
tected by eight ironclads under Commander Hollins. This place was 
captured by the Union flag oiScer, Davis, who assailed it with a fleet of 
gunboats, and captured it June 4, 1862. The Confederate flotilla was utterly 
destroyed in less than an hour. Some ships had their boilers shot through 
and some were butted and sunk. The fire was then directed against the 
fort itself, which was speedily reduced, and evacuated by the garrison. The 
Union troops did not hold it long, however, abandoning it in consequence of 
operations on the Tennessee River. In 1864, the fort was held by 55Q 
Federals under Major Booth, 260 of these soldiers being negroes. The fort 
was assaulted April 13 and captured by the Confederate cavalryman, Forrest, 
leading 4000 soldiers. The first assault was unsuccessful, but Booth was 
killed and Bradford, leader of the colored troops, took command. The 
Federals were assisted by their gunboat " New Era," but this aid availed 
little, because of the high banks of the river. Forrest sent in a flag of truce 
demanding a surrender, which was refused. Another assault was ordered 
and this time an entrance was gained. Nearly the whole garrison were 
killed. 

Pinchback, Pinckney B. S., born in 1837, of African descent, was a mem- 
ber of the Louisiana Senate in 1868. He was Governor during the impeach- 
ment of Governor Warmoth. He was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1873, 
but was disallowed his seat. 

Pinckney, Charles (1758-1824), was a member of the South Carolina 
Legislature from 1779 to 1780. He was a delegate to the Continental Con- 
gress from 1777 to 1778 and from 1784 to 1787. He was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1787, and drafted one of the constitutions pro- 
posed. He was Governor of South Carolina from 1789 to 1792 and from 
1796 to 1798, a U. S. vSenator from 1797 to 1801, Minister to Spain from 
1S03 to 1805, Governor from 1806 to 1808. He was a Democratic U. S. 
Congressman from 1819 to 1821. C. C. Pinckney and Thomas Pinckney 
were his cousins. 



Dictionary of United States History. 505 

Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth [(1746-1825), an American statesman, 
was Attorney-General of his colony, South Carolina, and member of its 
Provincial Congress in 1775. He held the rank of major in the war, fought 
at Charleston, Brandywine and Germantown, and surrendered at Charleston 
in 1780. He was a member of the Federal Convention in 1787, and the 
Federalist leader in his State's ratifying convention in 1788. Pinckney 
declined a Cabinet position, but accepted in 1796 the mission to France; the 
Directory, however, refused to acknowledge him. The French proposals to 
bribe the American envoys called from him the well-known phrase: " Mil- 
lions for defence, but not a cent for tribute ! " He was appointed major- 
general for the expected war with France. Pinckney was the Federalist 
candidate for Vice-President in 1800, and for President in 1804 and 1808. 

Pinckney, Henry L. (i 794-1 863), was a member of the South Carolina 
Legislature from 1816 to 1832, and represented South Carolina in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1833 to 1837. 

Pinckney, Thomas (1750-1828), brother of C. C. Pinckney, was an aide to 
General Lincoln and Count d'Estaing in the Revolution. He fought at Stono 
and was taken prisoner at Camden. He was Governor of South Carolina 
from 1787 to 1789, and Minister to Great Britain from 1792 to 1796. He 
negotiated the treaty with Spain securing free navigation of the Mississippi. 
In 1796 he was a Federalist candidate with Adams. He was a U. S. Con- 
gressman from 1797 to 1 801. 

Pinckney Plan, a plan for a Federal Constitution, proposed May 29, in the 
Convention of 1787, by Charles Pinckney, of South Carolina. It resembled 
the Randolph Plan, but no copy of it has been preserved. Many years after- 
ward Pinckney produced a document which he declared to be this, but it 
was not. 

Pine, Robert E. (1730 7-1788), came to Philadelphia from England in 
1783. He was prominent as an artist and painted portraits of many of the 
heroes of the Revolution, including Washington and Robert Morris. 

Pine Tree Shilling, the name given to the largest of the coins issued in 1652 
by the first mint established in Boston. These coins had the value of " i2d., 
6d. and 3d. pieces," that value being denoted by the figure XII, VI or III 
stamped upon the reverse. The obverse contained the representation of 
a pine tree encircled by a grained ring, with the legend " Mathosets In." 
Weight, 72 grains; value, 1814^ cents. 

Pinkerton, Allan (1819-1884), fled from Scotland as a Chartist to America 
in 1842. He established Pinkerton's Detective Agency in Chicago in 1850, 
and organized the secret service of the National army in 1861. 

Pinkerton Law. The Sundry Civil Appropriation Act of August 5, 
1892, provides " that no employ^ of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, or 
similar agency, shall be employed in any Government service, or by any 
officer of the District of Columbia." 

Pinkney, 'William (1764-1822), orator, was a member of the Maryland 
House of Delegates from 1788 to 1792 and of the Executive Council from 



«;o6 Dictionary of United States History. 

1792 to 1795. He was a commissioner to London under Jay's treaty from 
1796 to 1S04, Attorney-General of Maryland in 1805, commissioner in Eng- 
land (jointly with James Monroe) from 1806 to 1807, and Minister from 1807 
to 1811. He was Attorney-General in Madison's Cabinet from 1811 to 1814, 
Minister to Russia from 1816 to 1818, and represented Maryland in the U. S. 
Senate from 1820 to 1822. He was a most eloquent advocate. Life by 
Wheaton. 

Pinzon, Martin A. (1441-1493), is reported by some to have visited the 
New World in 148S and by others to have seen charts of Norman explorers. 
He aided Columbus in fitting out his expedition, and was given command of 
" La Pinta." He parted from Columbus in the West Indies and attempted 
to usurp the honors of the discovery by arriving first at the Court, but was 
prevented by storms. 

Pinzon, Vicente Y. (1460?-! 524 ?), commanded " La Niiia " in the expedi- 
tion of Columbus in 1492. In 1499, he discovered Brazil and the Amazon. 
He made two subsequent voyages to South America in 1506 and 1508. 

Piracy. Many of the colonies were infested by pirates during the latter 
years of the seventeenth and the earlier portion of the eighteenth centuries. 
In North Carolina and South Carolina and in the ports of the Spanish col- 
onies to the south, the pirate Teach, called " Black Beard," made frequent 
ravages and was gladly received by the inhabitants of Charleston in the 
matter of trade. Teach's headquarters were in North Carolina. From 
thence he preyed upon the Spanish possessions in the south and traded as 
far north as Philadelphia, where prominent citizens were in league with 
him and with Evans, another pirate. He was finally driven away by Gov- 
ernor Johnson, of North Carolina. In New York and along the Eastern 
coast the celebrated Captain Kidd terrorized the coast settlers for a number 
of years. Piracy was made a capital offence in the New England colonies. 
During the middle of the nineteenth century the American Government 
contended for an international declaration that the slave-trade should be 
treated as piracy. 

Pitcairn, John (i740?-i775), born in Scotland, was for several years a 
British officer (major) in Boston. He led the advance in the expedition to 
Lexington and Concord, and is said to have given the order to fire upon the 
militia at Lexington, although he denied the charge. He was killed at 
Bunker Hill while leading the final assault. 

Pitcher, Moll, wife of a Revolutionary soldier, who distinguished herself 
by her bravery at the battle of Monmouth in 1778. Her husband was 
killed while discharging a cannon. Moll promptly took his place, vowing 
to avenge his death. General Washington commended her bravery and gave 
her a commission as a sergeant. 

Pitkin, Timothy (1766-1847), was Speaker of the Connecticut Legisla- 
ture for five consecutive sessions. He represented Connecticut in the U. S. 
Congress as a Federalist from 1805 to 1819. He was regarded as an author- 
ity on U. S. political histor>'. He wrote " Statistical View of the Commerce 



Dictionary of United States HistopvY. 507 

of the United States of America " and "A Political and Civil History of the 
United States from 1763 to 1797." 

Pitt, William (1759-1806), second son of the Earl of Chatham, became 
Prime Minister of England in 1783. He inforced the English navigation 
acts against the United States with great severity, yet his policy was liberal 
in the main. He resigned office in 1801. 

Pitt, Fort, a large fortification erected in 1759 by the British upon the 
site of Fort Duquesne at the junction of the Monongahela and Allegheny 
Rivers. Duquesne had been destroyed and abandoned by the French the 
previous year. Fort Pitt was so called in honor of the British minister. Its 
site is now in Pittsburgh, Pa. See Duquesne, Fort, and Pittsburgh. 

Pittsburgh, Pa., dates its history as a town from 1764, when its first 
streets were laid out. Previous to this time it had been a military station 
under the name of Fort Pitt, and still earlier (1755-1758) was the scene of a 
struggle between England and France for its possession, the French having 
founded Fort Duquesne here in 1754. Pittsburgh was incorporated as a city 
in 1 816. In 1845 it was visited by a disastrous conflagration in which 
$5,000,000 worth of property was consumed. 

Pittsburgh Landing. (See Shiloh.) 

Plaisted, Harris M., born in 1828, commanded a brigade at Charleston 
and served in Grant's Richmond campaign. He represented Maine in the 
U. S. Congress as a Republican from 1875 to 1877, and was Governor of 
Maine from 1881 to 1883. 

Plater, George (1736-1792J, represented -Marii'land in the Continental 
Congress from 1778 to 1781. He was president of the Maryland Convention 
that ratified the Federal Constitution, and was Governor of Maryland in 
1792. 

Platforms. The " first platform ever adopted by a national convention " 
was that of a " national assembly of young men," held at Washington in 
May, 1832, to indorse the nomination of Clay by the National Republican 
party. In 1844 both the Whigs and the Democrats drew up a "platform," 
but in 1848 the Whigs refused to commit themselves by a platform. After 
this the adoption of party platforms by national conventions became general. 

Piatt, Orville H., born in 1827, was a member of the Connecticut Senate 
from 1861 to 1862, and of the Legislature from 1864 to 1869. He was 
elected to the U. S. Senate as a Republican, and sei-ved from 1879 to the 
present time (1897). Re-elected for term beginning March 4, 1897. 

Piatt, Thomas C, born in 1833, represented New York in the Congress 
of the United States as a Republican from 1S73 to 1877. Pie was chosen 
a member of the U. S. Senate in 1881, but resigned soon afterward with 
Roscoe Conkling on account of a disagreement with President Garfield con- 
cerning the appointment to the collectorship of the port of New York. He 
was elected in Jan., 1897, to U. S. Senate for term beginning March 4, 1897. 



5o8 Dictionary of United States History. 

Platte Country, the name, previous to 1854, given to that territory stretch- 
ing west from Missouri to the Rocky Mountains, and which now comprises 
the States of Kansas and Nebraska. A bill was introduced into Congress in 
1854 by Douglas, of Illinois, for the organization of the territory, the slavery 
question to be determined by the inhabitants, in direct violation of the Mis- 
souri Compromise. (See Kansas-Nebraska Bill.) 

Plattsburgh (Lake Champlain). In August, 1814, General Prevost with 
14,000 men and a flotilla of sixteen vessels advanced from the St. Lawrence 
to attack the American land force entrenched at Plattsburgh and the fleet on 
Lake Champlain. The American land force consisted of 3500 troops and 
about 4000 militia, under General Macomb. The naval force was made up 
of fourteen vessels, commanded by Captain Macdonough. The British army 
on September 5 was eight miles away. The next day it advanced in two 
columns, but was held partly in check by the American militia. On reaching 
the north bank of the Saranac General Prevost constructed works and on 
the eleventh tried to force his way across in two places. At the same time 
the two fleets fought desperately for over two hours in Plattsburgh Bay. This 
ended with the defeat of the British, who lost about 200 men and the com- 
modore of the fleet. The news of this victory came to the fighting armies 
at the critical part of the battle and turned the tide in favor of the Americans. 
The British fled to Champlain, leaving behind the sick and wounded and a 
vast amount of stores. On September 24 they returned to Canada, having 
lost in all, killed, wounded, missing and deserters, nearly 2000 men. The 
American loss in the land battle was 150. 

Pleasant Hill, La., a brief but fierce engagement of the Civil War, April 
9, 1864. After the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, in which Banks had been 
defeated, he fell back to Pleasant Hill with his army, now reduced to about 
8000 men. Kirby Smith, leading nearly 20,000 Confederates, followed in 
hot pursuit. During the morning there was some sharp skirmishing, and 
about five o'clock a fierce fight took place. Banks' troops, greatly outnum- 
bered and in a woful condition, nevertheless fought valiantly. Smith was 
finally obliged to leave the field, having lost several guns he had captured 
the day before. Banks marched on to Grand Ecore. 

Pleasonton, Alfred, born in 1824, served with distinction in the Mexican 
War. He served throughout the Virginia peninsular campaign, and com- 
manded a brigade at Boonesborough, South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- 
ericksburg and Chancellorsville, where his brilliant action saved the national 
army from serious disaster. He was commander-in-chief of cavalry at 
Gettysburg. He retired in 1888 with the rank of colonel in the regular 
army. Died 1897. 

Plowden, Sir Edmund, was a patentee of a grant by Charles I. in 1634, 
embracing New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. A county 
palatinate was erected, called " New Albion," of which he was Governor. 
He visited the colony in 1641, but remained mostly in Virginia till his 
return in 1648. The Swedes disputed his jurisdiction, and the colony pros- 
pered only in the alluring accounts published in its interests. 



Dictionary of United States History. 509 

Plowden, Francis, son and heir of Sir Edmund Plowden, succeeded in 
1634, with his brothers George and Thomas Plowden, to the shares of four 
patentees of New Albion, but obtained no profit therefrom. 

Plumb, Preston B. (1837-1891), attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel 
during the Civil War. He represented Kansas in the U. S. Senate as a 
Republican from 1S77 to 1891. 

Plumed Knights, certain Republican campaign clubs fonned during the 
Presidential campaign of 1884 in honor of Mr. Blaine. The name is derived 
from a speech of Colonel Robert Ingersoll, in which he gave that designation 
to Blaine. 

Plymouth, N. C, wrested from the Federals, April 17, 20, 1864, while occu- 
pied by Wessells, commanding a garrison of 2400 men, by Hoke leading 7000 
Confederates. Hoke came upon the town in the night, thus surprising Wes- 
sells. The Confederate ram " Albemarle " took part in the fight, driving 
away the Union gunboats "Southfield," "Miami" and "Bombshell," while 
Hoke took the town. Forts Wessells and Warren were also taken by Hoke. 
Fort Warren was valiantly defended against numerous assaults, but it was 
lightly garrisoned, and was finally forced to surrender. Fort Wessells also 
held out bravely, but having lost the protection of the gunboats, it too 
succumbed. 

Plymouth Brethren. This sect was formed in England and Ireland 
about 1830 with Johu Darby as its principal founder. They reject organiza- 
tions and creeds, but retain the ordinances. Their number in the United 
States is small. 

Plymouth Colony, the first settlement in Massachusetts, founded by a 
party of Puritans from the north of England, November 11, 1620 (O. S.). 
These first settlers, called the Pilgrim Fathers, after having spent a number 
of years at Amsterdam and Leyden in search of religious liberty, secured a 
grant from the Virginia Company and embarked from Plymouth, England, 
September 6, 1620, on the " Mayflower." They were 108 in number. (See 
art. " Pilgrim Fathers.") During the first winter they endured great suffer- 
ing and many died. John Carver was chosen as the first Governor of the 
colony. No royal charter was ever granted, though the colony was in exist- 
ence nearly seventy years. The colonists bound themselves to obey certain 
laws, which the) should frame themselves on principles of justice and mode- 
ration. In 1622-23, the number of the colonists was increased by new 
arrivals in the " Fortune," " Ann " and " Little James." Plymouth colony 
became a member of the New England Confederation (see United Colonies 
•of New Eglaud) in 1643. By the Massachusetts charter of 1691, it was 
united with the colony of Massachusetts Bay. 

Plymouth Company, a company fonned of Plymouth and Bristol mer- 

■ chants, and also called the North Virginia Company. It was incorporated 

in 1606, and obtained a charter from James I., with grant of land between 

Long Island and Passamaquoddy Bay. This company was the rival of the 

London company. In May, 1607, two ships were despatched to America 



5IO Dictionary of United States History. 

bearing a company of colonists commanded by George Popham. An abor- 
tive attempt at permanent settlement was made on the Kennebec River, but 
Popham died and the remaining colonists returned home. The company 
still continued to exist till its reorganization in 1620 as the New England 
Company, or Council for New England. 

Plymouth Rock, in Plymouth harbor, the landing place of the " May- 
flower's " Pilgrims on December 11, 1620 (O. S.). John Alden and Mary 
Chilton were supposed to have been the first persons to step upon the famous 
rock. (See Pilgrims, Landing of) 

Pocahontas (1597 ?— 1616), daughter of Powhatan, was reported by Captain 
John Smith to have sav'ed his life in 1607, when he was about to be slain by 
her father's tribe. In 1609 she informed the colonists of an intended Indian 
attack. She was baptized in 1613 and christened Rebecca. In 1614 she 
married John Rolfe, and in 1616 went to England. She was presented at 
the Court of King James as " L,ady Rebecca." She was graciously received, 
and was an object of much interest. She died in England. From her 
descended many of the illustrious families of Virginia. 

Pocket Veto. (See Veto.) 

Pocotaligo, S. C. At this place on October 22, 1862, General Brannan, 
who had been assigned to destroy railroad connection between Charleston 
and Savannah, commanding 4448 Federal troops, encountered some 5000 
Confederates under Walker. A brisk fight followed. Brannan's supply of 
cartridges gave out, and he was getting decidedly the worst of the fight. 
He therefore retreated precipitately. On January- 14, 1865, just previous to 
Sherman's march from Savannah through the Carolinas, Howard was ordered 
to seize this place and establish there a depot of supplies for the Federal army. 
The seizure was effected after a sharp engagement with 5000 Confederates 
under Beauregard. 

Poe, Edgar A. (1809-1849), was one of the most remarkable of American 
poets and writers of stories. He was connected with numerous periodicals 
in which appeared some of his best works. He led a very varied life and 
developed a gloomy and weird style and a sarcastic criticism which were 
peculiarly his own. Among his works are " The Raven," " The Gold 
Bug" and "Eureka." 

Poindexter, George (1779-1853), represented Mississippi in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1807 to 1813. He served on General Jackson's 
staff in the War of 181 2, was again a delegate in Congress from 181 7 to 
1819, and was Governor of Mississippi from 1819 to 1821. He prepared a 
revised code of the laws of Mississippi in 1822. He was a U. S. Senator 
from 1830 to 1835. 

Poinsett, Joel R. (1779-1S51), was sent to South America in 1809 by 
Madison to ascertain the prospects of the revolutionists. He represented 
South Carolina in the U. S. Congress as a Republican from 1821 to 1S25. 
He was sent to ^Mexico as Commissioner in 1822, and was Minister there 



Dictionary of United States History. 511 

from 1825 to 1829. He was an ardent opponent of nullification. He was 
Secretary of War in Van Buren's Cabinet from 1837 to 1841. 

Point Pleasant, Va. Here occurred October 10, 1774, a fierce battle 
between the Virginia troops of Lord Duninore, under General Andrew Lewis, 
and a strong Indian army led by the Shawnee chief, Cornstalk. The 
Indians crossed the Ohio River at night and fell upon Lewis' encampment 
about sunrise. Colonel Charles Lewis and Colonel Fleming were killed, 
besides many others. But General Lewis managed to save his camp and 
rout the savages with heavy losses. 

Poland, Luke P. (1815-1887), was a Judge of the Vermont Supreme 
Court from 1848 to i860 and Chief Justice from i860 to 1865. He repre- 
sented Vermont in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1865 to 1867 
and in the House from 1867 to 1875. He was chairman of the commit- 
tees to investigate the Ku-Klux Klan outrages and the Credit Mobilier 
transactions. 

Polk, James Knox (November 2, 1795-June 15, 1849), eleventh President 
of the United States, was born in Jlecklenburg County, N. C. Having 
graduated at the University of North Carolina, he became a lawyer in Ten- 
nessee, and represented that State as a Democratic Congressman, 1 825-1 839. 
He became chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and in 1 835-1 839 
he was Speaker of the House. From 1839 to 1841 he was Governor of 
Tennessee, and failed of re-election in 1841 and 1843. The Democratic 
National Convention selected Polk in 1844 as a "safe" compromise candi- 
date. He was elected over Clay after a hard struggle, having 175 electoral 
votes. Being inaugurated March 4, 1845, he selected Buchanan for the State 
Department, R. J. Walker for the Treasury, Marcy for War, and the historian 
Bancroft for the Navy. The Mexican War, which President Polk favored, 
was prosecuted successfully during his administration, and the Oregon 
controversy with England was peacefully settled in 1846. The revenue 
" Walker Tariff" received his approval. He vetoed river and harbor bills 
in 1846 and 1847. The California gold discoveries occurred near the end 
of his term. He died in Nashville a few months after his retirement from 
ofBce. 

Polk, Leonidas (1806-1864), was engaged in the service of the Episcopal 
Church after 1831, and was Bishop of Louisiana from 1841 to 1861. He 
strongly sympathized with the secession movement, and, being a West- 
Pointer, was appointed major-general, and superintended the construction 
of fortifications at New Madrid, Fort Pillow, Island No. 10 and Memphis. 
He commanded at Belmont, and led a corps at Shiloh and Corinth. He 
commanded the right wing at Chickamauga, where it was asserted that his 
disobedience of orders saved the National army from annihilation. He 
served with General Johnston in opposing General Sherman at Atlanta, and 
was killed near Kenesaw Mountain in June, 1864. 

Polk, Sarah C. (1803-1891), of Tennessee, married James K. Polk in 
1824. She was a great favorite in Washington society, and although she 



512 DiCTIONAKY OF UNITED STATES HISTORY. 

iutroduced numerous reforms and innovations in the White House, main- 
tained her popularity. 

Polk, William (1758-1834), served as major of a North Carolina regiment 
at Brandywine and Germantown, and fought at Camden and Eutaw Springs. 
He was a Tennessee Congressman from 1787 to 1794. 

Poll Tax, a tax levied upon each poll or head of population. The 
Federal Government has the power to levy such a tax in proportion to the 
enumeration or census, but has never exercised the power. In 1641 a poll 
tax was levied in Maryland, each person being made to pay forty pounds of 
tobacco yearly for the support of the parish minister and the building of 
churches. Similar laws were passed in other colonies at various times. In 
i860, according to a report made to the New York Legislature, twenty-seven 
States and Territories employed the poll tax. Some States, as South Caro- 
lina, have constitutional provisions for levying the poll tax. In others, as 
in jMassachnsetts, its payment is made a qualification for voting. 

Pollard, Edward A. (1828-1872), edited the Richmond Exa7niner from 
186 1 to 1867. He ardently advocated the Confederate cause and severely 
criticised Jefferson Davis. From 1867 to 1869 he published "Southern 
Opinion." He wrote a " Southern History of the War," " The Lost Cause," 
" Lee and His Lieutenants," " The Lost Cause Regained " and " Life of Jef- 
ferson Davis with the Secret History of the Southern Confederacy." 

Pollock, James (1810— 1890), represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Whig from 1844. He was Governor of Pennsylvania from 1855 
to 1858. He was director of the U. S. mint from 1861 to 1866 and from 
1869 to 1879. 

Polygamy, instituted and practiced by the Mormons under the leader- 
ship of Joseph Smith in 1830, in New York. In 1838, the Mormons emi- 
grated to Missouri, and in 1839 to Illinois. Their polygamous institutions 
could not be tolerated in either of these, so they gradually emigrated to 
Utah, where, from 1848 to 1882, they practiced polygamy unrestricted. 
Polygamists controlled and held ail local offices, with a few exceptions. In 
1882, Senator Edmunds submitted a bill to restrict and eventually abolish 
polygamy. Under its provisions polygamists have been excluded as office- 
holders. A great number of persons have been convicted and sentenced for 
polygamy, and the Supreme Court has upheld the law. 

Pomeroy, Samuel C. ('1816-1891), was an organizer of the New England 
Emigrant Aid Societ}-, and founded a colony at Lawrence, Kan., in 1854. 
He represented Kansas in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1861 

to 1873. 

Pomeroy, Seth (1706-1777), engaged in the capture of Louisbourg in 
1745. He ser\^ed in the Massachusetts Legislature in 1774 and 1775. He 
fought at Bunker Hill, and was appointed brigadier-general, but declined. 

Poncas, a tribe of Dakota Indians, have suffered greatly from the attacks 
of the Sioux, who drove them beyond the Missouri, In 1858 they sold 



Dictionary of United States History. 513 

lands to the Government and went on a reservation near the Yanktons. 
In 1865 they were assigned a reservation on the Missouri. 

Ponce de Leon, Juan (1460-1521), a Spanish explorer, was according to 
some accounts an associate of Columbus on his second voyage. He became 
Governor of the eastern part of the island of Hayti, was led to attempt the 
colonization of Porto Rico, and effected the conquest of that island. It was 
in 151 2 that, searching for a foimtain of perpetual youth, he discovered the 
coast of Florida near St. Augustine. He returned to Spain, and in 1521 
sailed to the Florida coast; landing not far from his former point of discovery, 
he lost the greater part of his force, returned disappointed to Cuba, and soon 
died. The Spanish claims to the regions were based on his voyages. 

Pond Law. After 1875 the regulation of the liquor traffic in Ohio 
became a leading question in State politics. In 1882 the Republicans 
adopted the so-called " Pond Law " for the taxation of liquor selling. It was 
declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the State. It required 
of dealers to take out a high license and also to give a bond. 

Pontiac (born about 1720, died 1769), one of the Indian chiefs most dan- 
gerous to the English, was a leader of the Ojibways, Ottawas and Pottawa- 
tomies. He acquired great influence, aud is said to have contributed to 
Braddock's defeat. Though he consented to the surrender of Detroit to the 
British at the end of the French and Indian War, he forthwith organized a 
wide-spread conspiracy in 1762. Assembling a large force near Detroit, he 
fired the warriors in a remarkable oration, but the plot was disclosed, and 
Pontiac's siege from May to October, 1763, was fruitless. He fought during 
the siege the battle of the Bloody Bridge. Although Detroit was saved, many 
other English posts, Sandusky, Mackinaw, Presque Isle, etc., fell before 
Pontiac's allies. The great chief signed a treaty in 1766, and three years 
later was nmrdered. See Parkman's " Conspiracy of Pontiac." 

Pontiac War, a war in 1763 between the English and American settlers 
along the Pennsylvania and Virginia frontier, and a confederacy of Dela- 
ware, Shawanese and Seneca Indians, led by Pontiac, a Shawanese chief. 
These Indians had been dishonorably treated by the settlers arriving after 
the capture of Fort Duquesne. They were, besides, incited to the attack by 
the French fur traders. In June of 1763 a simultaneous attack was made 
along the whole frontier; the trading posts between the Ohio and Lake Erie 
were taken and the settlers and English traders were scalped. The settlers 
retaliated by slaughtering the inhabitants of Conestoga, a body of Christian- 
ized Indians on the Susquehanna. General Bouquet invaded the Indian 
country by way of Pittsburgh, Bradstreet along tlie lakes. The war was 
thus brought to an end (1764). It was an afterpiece to the French and 
Indian War. 

Poole, William F. (1821-1894), librarian, devoted much attention to 
American historv. He published " Cotton Mather and Salem Witchcraft," 
"The Popham Colony," "The Ordinance of 1787" and "Anti-Slavery 
Opinions Before 1800." 



514 Dictionary of United States History. 

Poor, Enoch (1736-1780), accompanied Schuyler's expedition to Canada 
in 1776. He commanded a brigade at Stillwater and led the attack at Sara- 
toga. He served under Lafayette at Monmouth, and led a brigade against 
the Six Nations in 1779. 

" Poor Richard," a fictitious name assumed by Benjamin Franklin, in 
connection with the almanac, commonly called " Poor Richard's Almanac," 
which he began to publish in 1732, under the name of Richard Saunders, or 
Poor Richard. 

Poore, Benjamin Perley (1820— 1887), newspaper correspondent, made a 
valuable collection of French historical documents for Massachusetts from 
1844 to 1848. He wrote " Life of General Taylor," " The Conspiracy Trials 
in 1865," "Life of Burnside " and "Reminiscences." 

Pope, John (1770-1845), represented Kentucky in the U. S. Senate as a 
Democrat from 1807 to 181 3. He was Territorial Governor of Arkansas 
from 1829 to 1835. He represented Kentucky in the U. S. Congress from 
1837 to 1843. 

Pope, John (1823-1892), an American general, was graduated at West Point 
in 1842, and fought at IMonterey and Buena Vista. He was engaged in tlie 
exploration of Minnesota and the survey of the Pacific Railroad, and in 
1861 received a command in Missouri. He captured a Confederate force at 
Blackwater in December, 1861, New Madrid and Island No. 10 in the Mis- 
sissippi in the spring of the following year. These successes led to his pro- 
motion to be major-general of volunteers, brigadier-general in the regular 
army, and to his appointment to the Army of Virginia, formed in the sum- 
mer by the union of various corps. Pope took command, with "head- 
quarters in the saddle," and conducted an unfortunate and much criticized 
campaign against Lee, culminating in the reverses of Second Bull Run and 
Chantilly at the end of August and first of September, 1862. He was 
relieved of the command in Virginia, and -^'as employed in bringing the 
Minnesota Indians to terms. After the war Pope was a department com- 
mander until his retirement in 1886. He attained the grade of major- 
general in 1882. 

Popham, George (i 550-1 608), came to America from England in 1607 
with two ships and 100 men, and founded the first New England settlement 
at Fort George, Me. 

Popham Colony. In 1607 two ships, the "Mary and John," commanded 
by George Popham, and the " Gift of God," commanded by Raleigh Gilbert, 
were sent out by Sir Ferdinando Gorges. They reached the mouth of the 
Kennebec River in Maine on August 19. Popham was left to establish a 
colony at Sabino, and Gilbert returned. Popham died during the winter, 
and when a ship arrived the next year the colony was broken up. 

Poplar Spring, Va., wrested from the Confederates and occupied by Grant 
October i, 1864, during the campaign in the vicinities of Richmond and 
Petersburg. 



Dictionary of United States History. 



51S 



Popular Sovereignty. This term originated about the time of the 
acquisition of additional territory from Mexico in 1848. A suggestion was- 
made of a middle course between the Wilmot Proviso, which prohibited the 
introduction of slavery into newly acquired or organized territories, and the 
positive permission of slavery under federal legislative enactment ; namely,, 
the question was to be settled by the inhabitants of the territories. The 
Kansas-Nebraska bill of 1854 purported to enforce the popular sovereignty 
idea. The Dred Scott decision of 1857 decided against it. The Demo- 
cratic National Convention of 1856 approved of non-interference by Congress 
with slavery in the Territories. Douglas, of Illinois, was an ardent advocate 
of this policy, and he vainly defended it against the Dred Scott decision. 
The popular sovereignty idea disappeared with the outbreak of the rebel- 
lion. It was called in derision " squatter sovereignty." 

Population. Careful estimates place the population of New Hampshire 
in 1700 at about 5000; Massachusetts and Maine, 70,000; Rhode Island,, 
6000 ; Connecticut, 25,000 ; New York, 25,000 ; New Jersey, 14,000 ; Penn- 
sylvania and Delaware, 20,000 ; Maryland, 30,000 ; Virginia, 80,000, and the 
Carolinas, perhaps 15,000. Population grew very fast in the colonial 
period. In 1754 the total population of the thirteen colonies is supposed tO' 
have been 1,425,000, of whom Virginia contained 284,000 (three-fifths- 
white); Massachusetts and Maine, 211,000; Pennsylvania and Delaware, 
206,000; Maryland, 148,000; Connecticut, 137,000; New York, 96,000^ 
In 1775 the colonies probably contained fewer than 3,000,000. The popula- 
tion of New England was almost purely English, that of New York largely 
Dutch, tha of Pennsylvania largely German and Scotch-Irish, while colonies 
to the southward contained many of these last two races and some Hugue- 
nots. The first census was taken in 1790. The following tables show the 
results of the successive censuses (exclusive of Alaska and Indian Territory): 

The following table gives the total population of the United States at 
each census, and the number of inhabitants per square mile of settled area : 



Census. 


Total. 


Settled 
area. 


Census. 


Total. 


Settled, 
area. 


1790 

1800 

1810 

1820 

1830 

1840 


3,929,214 

5,308,483 

7,239,881 

9,633,822 

12,866,020 

17,069,453 


16.4 
17.4 
17.7 
18.9 
20.3 
21.1 


1850 

i860 

1870 

1880 

1890 


23,191,876 
31,443,321 
38,558,371 
50,155,783 
62,622,250 


23-7 
26.3 
30.3 
32.0 



Si6 



y 



Dictionary of United States History. 



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Dictionary of United States History. 517 

Population, Centre of. The centre of the population of the United 
States at the time of the census of 1790, lay some twenty-three miles to the 
east of Baltimore. In 1800, it was about the same distance west of Balti- 
more; in 1810, about forty miles west-northwest of Washington; in 1820, 
sixteen miles north of Woodstock, Va.; in 1830, nineteen miles west-south- 
west of Moorefield, W. Va.; in 1840, sixteen miles south of Clarksburg, W. 
Va.; in 1850, twenty-three miles southeast of Parkersburg, W. Va.; in i860, 
twenty miles south of Chillicothe, O.; in 1870, forty-eight miles east by 
north of Cincinnati; in 18S0, in Kentuck}-, eight miles west by south of 
Cincinnati; in 1890, in Southern Indiana. 

" Porcupine, Peter," pseudonym of William Cobbett. (See art.) 

Port Gibson, Miss., a battle of the Civil War, taking place May I, 1863, 
during Grant's campaign along the Mississippi River. Grant was pursuing 
with some 25,000 Federals the Confederate Pemberton, who was retreating 
toward Vicksburg with a large army. Near Port Gibson, Grant's advance, 
under that general himself, overtook Pemberton's rear, about 12,000 men 
under Bowen. A battle immediately took place. Bowen, though greatly 
outnumbered, defended himself stoutly. Bowen held a strong position 
along both branches of the Port Gibson road, and consequently divided the 
forces of the Federals as he slowly fell back. He was defeated, but man- 
aged to retire in good order. 

Port Hudson, La., in possession of Confederate troops, 6000 strong, under 
Gardner in 1863. It was assailed on three separate occasions by the Feder- 
als, as being a desirable position from which to command the Mississippi 
from New Orleans to Vicksburg. The fort surrendered to General Banks 
after the fall of Vicksburg. The first attempt to reduce it was made March 
8, by Banks and Farragut, the Federal admiral. Farragut essayed to pass 
the batteries of the fort with his fleet, while Banks, with a land force of 
12,000, diverted the attention of the garrison. Farragut's fleet consisted of 
the " Hartford," the " Mississippi," the gunboats "Albatross," "Essex" and 
" Sabine," and several mortar-boats. This attempt was an utter failure. 
Farragut's fleet had to return to Prophet's Island badly disabled by the fort's 
batteries. On May 23 of the same year. Banks again invested the fort with 
15,000 men. Augur coming to his aid with 3500 more. May 24, Augur 
defeated a body of Confederates under Miles, driving them back within their 
works. Being informed on May 24 that the Confederates were endeavoring 
to escape, Banks determined on a general assault, the Federal naval force 
under Farragut having come to his assistance. The struggle was a severe 
one, but the Confederates resisted every attack. So the siege went on. 
Each day Farragut's guns riddled the Confederate works, and many Federals 
were killed by the Confederate sharpshooters. Gardner held out gallantly 
until he heard that Vicksburg had been captured. Then he surrendered 
July 9, 1863. 

Port Republic, Va. Here, June 13, 1862, Jackson, with 8000 Confederates, 
defeated and pursued 3000 Federals under Carroll and Tyler, of Shields' 
command. The latter had attempted to capture a cattle train which they 
supiDOsed to be guarded only by some 300 cavalry. Instead they found 



•518 Dictionary of United States History. 

Jackson with two strong brigades and three batteries. The Federals fought 
■with spirit, Colonel Candy recapturing by an impetuous charge a Federal 
battery which had been taken by the enemy. However, on Taylor's appear- 
ance with a fresh brigade the Unionists retired. Jackson pursued them five 
miles, capturing 450 prisoners and 800 muskets. 

Port Royal in Acadia, now Annapolis, Nova Scotia, was founded in 1605 
l)y the Sieur De ilonts, and in 1607 more permanently by Poutrincourt. In 
1614 the settlement was ravaged by Samuel Argall, from Virginia. In 1628 
it was captured by the English, but restored in 1632; again captured in 1690, 
but retaken in 1691; finally taken in 17 10, and named Annapolis. 

Port Royal, S. C, was first settled in 1562 by a band of Huguenots under 
Jean Ribault. The colony was soon reinforced by Rene Laudonniere, but it 
■was not wholly successful, even at the first. Then Pedro de Menendez, 
appointed Spanish Governor of Florida, after founding St. Augustine in 1565, 
marched along the coast and destroyed the French settlement, while Ribault 
was sailing unsuccessfully against St. Augustine. In revenge for this a French 
gentleman, Dominic de Gourgues, in 1567 destroyed the Spanish settlement 
at St. Augustine by a private expedition. — During the late Civil War, to 
complete the Federal blockade of the Southern coast, Commodore Dupont, 
commanding the Federal frigate, " Wabash," fourteen gunboats, thirty-four 
steamers and twenty -six sailing vessels, attacked the fort, November 7, 1861. 
The works were garrisoned by 1700 South Carolina troops under Generals 
Drayton and Ripley and were protected by Commodore Tattnall with six 
Confederate gunboats. The expedition started from Fort Monroe late in 
October. The fleet entered the harbor between the two forts, firing upon 
them simultaneously. Then sailing in an elliptical track the ships concen- 
trated their fire upon Fort Walker, which surrendered after three hours, 
fort Beauregard was also speedily reduced. The Confederate fleet had been 
prevented from rendering assistance by a few gunboats. 

Port Royal Island, Battle of, Februar\' 3, 1779. During the Southern 
campaign of the Revolution General Prevost sent Major Gardiner with 200 
anen to seize Port Royal Island. General Moultrie with about an equal 
number attacked and defeated Gardiner. The American loss was trifling. 
■The British lost most of their ofiicers and many privates. 

Porter, Albert G., born in 1824, represented Indiana in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Republican frort; 1859 to 1863. He was first Comptroller of the 
U. S. Treasury from 1878 to 1880, Governor of Indiana from 1880 to 1884, 
and Minister to Italy from 1889 to 1892. 

Porter, Andrew (1743-1813), fought in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, 
Erandywine and Germantown, and received the personal commendation of 
Washington. He accompanied General Sullivan in the expedition against 
the Six Nations in 1779. 

Porter, David (i 780-1 843), an American naval hero, came of a seafaring 
family, and fought in the wars with France and Tripoli. In 181 2 he was 
appointed a captain, and with the " Essex " captured a number of British 
prizes and the man-of-war "Alert." In 1813 he started on a cruise in the 



Dictionary of United States History. 519 

Pacific with the " Essex," in the course of which he nearly destroyed the 
British whale-fishery in that ocean. In the harbor of Valparaiso on March 
28, 1814, the "Essex "and the "Phcebe" fought a desperate battle, in 
which the former, completely disabled, was compelled to surrender. Porter 
fought against the West India pirates in 1824, and from 1826 to 1829 directed 
the Mexican navy- He was then U. S. Consul to the Barbar^- States, and 
from 1831 until his death he was U. S. Minister resident to Turkey. 

Porter, David Dixon (June 8, 1813-Februar}' 13, 1891), son of David 
Porter, and one of the most distinguished American naval officers, accom- 
panied his father in his voyages, and became a midshipman in 1829. He 
had served in the Mexican War, and had commanded California mail steam- 
ers, when the Civil War called out his powers. With the control of the 
mortar fleet he, in April, 1862, bombarded Forts Jackson and St. Philip, aid- 
ing Farragut in the great feat of taking New Orleans. He was continuously 
active in the operations near Vicksburg that year, commanded the Missis- 
sippi squadron, and captured Arkansas Post in January-, 1863. Promoted to 
be rear-admiral Porter, in May, 1863, took Grand Gulf near Vicksburg and 
cooperated with Grant in the reduction of that stronghold. The following 
year he aided Banks in the Red River expedition. Transferred the same year 
to the North Atlantic squadron Admiral Porter commanded the powerful naval 
contingents in the two assaults on Fort Fisher, December, 1864, and January, 
1865; ^° the latter. Porter and General Terry succeeded in reducing this last 
of the important sea fortresses left to the Confederates. He was promoted 
to be vice-admiral in 1866 and admiral in 1S70. Until 1869 he was super- 
intendent of the naval academy. Besides writing a life of his father and 
other naval works Admiral Porter was also a successful novelist. 

Porter, Fitz-John, born in 1822, was graduated at West Point in 1845, and 
almost immediately took part in the Mexican War. Assigned to the Army of 
the Potomac in the Rebellion, he was soon in command of a corps, and 
distinguished himself in the Seven Days' battles, especially at Gaines' Mill 
and Malvern Hill. He was now promoted to be major-general of volunteers. 
Shortly afterward part of the Army of the Potomac was transferred to 
Pope's command. Porter and his corps were present at the second battle of 
Bull Run, August 29 and 30, 1862, and his conduct became the subject of 
warm controversy. He remained inactive on the first day, and took a leading 
part on the day following ; for this he was deprived of command, but restored, 
and served in the Antietam campaign. In November, however, he was 
court-martialed, and cashiered in Januar)'. Many eflforts to reverse the 
decision were unavailing until 1886, when an act of Congress restored him 
to the army with the rank of colonel. He has held several commissioner- 
ships in New York City. 

Porter, Horace, born in 1837, was chief of artilleiA' at the capture of 
Fort Pulaski, in 1861. He fought at Antietam, was chief of ordnance at 
Chickamauga, and was an aide to General Grant from 1864 to 1865. 

Porter, James M. (1793-1862), was appointed Secretary of War in 1843 
by President Tyler, and served till 1844. He was a prominent Pennsylvania 
jurist. 



520 Dictionary of United States History. 

Porter, Noah (1811-1892), was president of Yale College from 1871 to 
1886. He was principal editor of revised editions of " Webster's Unabridged 
Dictionary," and was one of the most scholarly metaphysicians in America. 

Porter, Peter B. (1773-1844), represented New York in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1809 to 1813. He served on the Canadian fron- 
tier. He was Secretary of War in J. Q. Adams' Cabinet from 1828 to 1829. 

" Portfolio," the first American periodical which reached an age of over 
ten years. It was established in Philadelphia by Dennie in 1801, and was pub- 
lished monthly until 1825. Its pages contained contributions from the pens 
of many distinguished writers of that period, and upon a variety of subjects. 

Portland, Me., settled in 1632, was bombarded by the British in 1775, 
rebuilt in 1783 and incorporated in 1786. From 1820 to 1832 it was the 
capital of the State. A city charter was obtained in 1832. It was the scene 
of a disastrous fire in 1866. 

Portsmouth, N. H., was settled in 1623, incorporated as a town in 1633, 
and as a city in 1849. It was the State capital until 1807. In 1694 the 
town was attacked by Indians, and several persons killed. In 1774 the 
inhabitants refused to receive a cargo of British tea. 

Portsmouth, R. I., one of the original settlements in Rhode Island, was 
founded in 1637 by William Coddington and other followers of Anne Hutch- 
inson, from Massachusetts. At first an independent community, it was united 
with Newport in 1640 to form the colony of Rhode Island. Providence 
was joined with them in 1644. 

Portugal. A commercial treaty was concluded between the United States 
and Portugal in 1840. By the treaty of 1851 provision was made for the 
payment of certain claims of American citizens against Portugal. 

Post Office. In the colonies, especially the more thickly-settled colonies 
of the North, some slight arrangements for postal communication were made 
before 1692. On February 17 of that year King William and Queen Mary 
granted to Thomas Neale a patent making him postmaster-general for the 
colonies. At once several colonies passed acts establishing and regulating a 
postal system. In 17 10, under Queen Anne, an act of Parliament established 
a uniform system for all the colonies. Of the postmasters-general for America 
in the colonial period the most famous was Franklin, who in 1774 was 
deprived of his office for his attitude in the American conflict. William 
Goddard thereupon planned a "Constitutional Post Office," upon a plan 
which Congress adopted July 26, 1775, on that date establishing a system, 
with Franklin as postmaster-general. The Articles of Confederation and 
the Constitution gave Congress power over the matter. Congress, in 1790, 
continued the post office with little substantial change. The plan to conduct 
the post office system simply on an expense-paying basis originated about 
1840. At the International Postal Conference held at Berne in 1874 the 
Universal Postal Union was formed with rates of five cents per half-ounce 
on all letters passing between the countries composing the Union. In 1790 
there were seventy-five post offices in the United States; in 1820, 4500; in 
i860, 28,000; in 1894, 70,000. 



Dictionary of Unitkd Statks History. 521 

Post Office Department. This department existed already before 1789. 
(See art. Post Office.) Congress continued it by several temporary enact- 
ments, and on May 8, 1794, gave it a permanent establishment. The post- 
master-general was not a member of the President's Cabinet until General 
Jackson's administration (1S29), the exigencies of the spoils system then 
requiring it. In 1820 a four years' term for postmasters was instituted. 
(See art. Star-route Frauds.) 

Postage. Letter postage is now two cents for any distance in the United 
States. From 1792 to 1845 letter postage ranged from six to twenty-five 
cents, according to the distance. In 1845 the rate was reduced to five cents 
for 300 miles and under, and ten cents for greater distances. In 1851 it was 
made three cents for 3000 miles, prepaid, otherwise five cents, and was 
doubled for greater distances. In 1863 there was established a unifonn rate 
of three cents, which was changed to two cents per ounce in 1883. Mailable 
matter is now divided into four classes: first, letters; second, regular publi- 
cations; third, books; fourth, merchandise. Until 1845 letters were single 
or double according as there was one piece of paper or two. Stamps were 
introduced in 1847, but did not become general till 1855, when letters were 
required to be prepaid. Registration was established in 1855; postal money 
orders in 1864; the free-delivery system in 1865 in places containing a popu- 
lation of 50,000. In 1892 the free-delivery system was extended. 

Postage Stamps were introduced in 1847, ^"^ did not come into general 
use until 1855, when letters were required to be prepaid. Stamped envelopes 
were first furnished in 1852 and postal cards in 1872. 

Postal Currency, a substitute for fractional currency during the Civil War, 
owing to the scarcity of silver. This was invented by General Spinner, 
United States Treasurer under Lincoln. Postage stamps were pasted upon 
the paper used for government securities and representing different sums. 
These bits of paper were circulated among the clerks of the department, and 
became for a while the medium of small exchange. 

Potomac Company, was chartered in 1784, with General Washington as 
president, for the purpose of connecting the Potomac valley with the West 
by means of a canal, and for general land improvement. The Chesapeake 
and Ohio Canal Company succeeded it in 1828. 

Pottawatomies, a tribe of Algonquin Indians, early occupied what is now 
lower Michigan and upper Illinois and Indiana. Joining Pontiac, they 
surprised Fort St. Joseph in 1763. During the Revolution they were hostile 
to the Americans, but joined in the treaty of 1795. The tribe was then 
composed of settled bands and the wandering Prairie band. In 1812 they 
aided England, but by treaties in 1815 and subsequently, ceded nearly all 
their territorv. A large tract was assigned to them on the Missouri. In 
1867, 1400 became citizens, but the Prairie band continued under the Indian 
Department. 

Potter, Alonzo (1800-1865), became Episcopal Bishop of Pennsylvania in 
1845. He founded the Episcopal Hospital and the Divinity School at 
Philadelphia. He possessed remarkable executive ability. 



522 Dictionary of United States History. 

Potter, Clarkson N. (1825-1882), represented New York in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1869 to 1875 and from 1877 to 1881. He was 
prominent in the election controversies of 1876. 

Potter, Henry C, born in 1835, son of Bishop Alonzo Potter, was rector 
of Grace Church, New York, from 1858 to 1883. In 1883 he became assistant 
bishop to his uncle, Horatio Potter. In 1887, on the latter's death, he 
became Bishop of New York. 

Potter, Horatio (1802-1887), became rector of St. Peter's, Albany, N. 
Y., in 1833, provisional bishop in 1854, and Bishop of New York in 1861. 
His able administration brought great prosperity to his diocese. 

Potter, James (1729-1789), came to Pennsylvania from Ireland in 1741. 
He was made brigadier-general of Pennsylvania troops in 1777 and served 
with distinction throughout the war under General Washington. 

Potter, Robert B. (1829— 1887), led the assault at Roanoke Island, com- 
manded a regiment at Cedar Mountain and Chantilly, and carried the bridge 
at Antietam. He led a division at Vicksburg, the Wilderness and Peters- 
burg. 

Pourre, Don Eugenio, leader of the Spanish expedition from St. Louis 
against Fort St. Joseph, an English stronghold within the limits of the 
present State of Michigan in 1781. The fort was captured the same year. 

Powell, John W., born in 1824, was a lieutenant-colonel of Illinois artil- 
lery during the Civil War. He secured the establishment of the U. S. 
Geological Survey and the Bureau of Ethnography at the Smithsonian 
Institution, and is director of the former. 

Powers, Hiram (i 805-1 873), sculptor, went from Ohio to Florence, Italy, 
in 1837, where he afterward resided. Among his most popular statues are 
" Eve Tempted," " The Greek Slave " and " The Fisher-Boy." He is emi- 
nent for his busts of distinguished men, including Adams, Jackson, Webster, 
Marshall, Longfellow and Sheridan. He executed statues of Washington, 
Webster, Calhoun, Franklin and Jefferson. 

Powhatan (i550?-i6i8), was the chief of thirty tribes of Indians, num- 
bering about 8000, occupying territory between the James and York rivers in 
Viro-inia. He was visited by Captain John Smith in 1609, who made 
negotiations for provisions. A gilded crown was brought from England and 
Powhatan was declared "emperor of the Indies." He never trusted the 
whites and was in constant collision with them. In retaliation for an attempt 
of Captain Smith to capture him, he planned the destruction of the James- 
town settlement, but was prevented, the colonists being warned by his 
daughter, Pocahontas. 

Powhatan Indians, a confederation of thirty Indian tribes south of the 
Potomac, in existence at the time of the settlement of Jamestown. It was 
conjectured that the entire federation numbered eight thousand souls. 

Pownall, Thomas (1720-1805), came to America from England in 1753. 
He immediately sympathized with American political tendencies. He was 
Governor of Massachusetts from 1756 to 1760. While a member of the 



Dictionary of United States History. 



523 



British Parliament from 1767 to 1781 he ardently opposed oppressive meas- 
ures toward the colonies. He wrote " Colonial Constitutions," " The Admin- 
istration of the Colonies " and " Description of the Middle States of America." 

Prairie Grove, Ark. At this place the Union leaders Blunt and Herron 
with 12,000 troops defeated nearly twice as many Confederates under Hind- 
man and Marmaduke, December 7, 1862. Hindman attacked Herron while 
that general was separated from the main command. Herron returned the 
attack, pushing his batteries across Illinois Creek and effectually silencing 
the Confederates for a time. Meanwhile Blunt arrived and attacked the 
Confederate flank, as it was about to execute a flank movement against 
Herron. This resulted in defeat for the Confederates though they occupied 
a strong position. 

Pratt, Orson (i 81 1-1881), became one of the twelve Mormon apostles in 1835. 
He was for many years a member and seven times was Speaker of the Utah 
Legislature. He wrote " The Great First Cause " and " Patriarchal Order." 

Praying Indians, a name given to those New England Indians who were 
early won to the Christian faith. During Philip's War they remained 
friendly to the colonists, a company of them enlisting under Major Gookin 
in July, 1675. They acted as scouts and spies and rendered valuable ser- 
vice against Philip. (See Eliot, John, and Natick.) 

Preble, Edward (1761-1807), commodore, joined a privateer in 1777. In 
1779 he engaged in the attacks of the " Protector" on the British privateer, 
" Admiral Duff." He served on the " Winthrop " when that vessel captured 
an armed brig. He was commissioned lieutenant in 1798, and in 1799 com- 
manded the "Essex." In 1803 he commanded the "Constitution" and the 
squadron against the Barbary States. His operations resulted in the treaty 
of 1805, by which tribute by the United States and the slavery of Christian 
captives was abolished. 

Preble, George H. (1816-1885), rear-admiral, served in the Mexican War. 
He commanded the " Macedonian " against Chinese pirates in 1854. He 
commanded the " Katahdin " and the " St. Louis " during the Rebellion, 
and wrote a " History of the United States Flag." 

Pre-emption Law. The first pre-emption act was passed March 3, 1801. 
It was a special act affecting the Symmes colonization scheme on the 
Miami River. Between that time and 1841 about eighteen pre-emption acts 
were passed, all of a more or less special nature. The first general law was 
passed in 1830. That of 1841, which is now in force, grants, upon consid- 
erations of residence and improvement, freedom of entry upon 160 acres of 
public lands to any person over twenty-one years of age. Twelve to thirty- 
three mouths are allov/ed for payment, and the amount varies with the value 
and situation of the tract pre-empted. 

Prentice, George D. (1802-1870), edited the Louisville, Ky., Joiirttal 
from 1 83 1 to 1870. He was the principal advocate of the Whig party in Ken- 
tucky, and vigorously opposed secession. He wrote a " Life of Henry Clay." 

Prentiss, Benjamin M., bom in 1819, was a captain during the Mexican 
War. In 1861 he was made colonel of Illinois volunteers, and placed in 



524 Dictionary of United States History. 

command at Cairo. He defeated the Confederates at Mount Zion, served 
under General Grant at Shiloli and was taken prisoner. He was made 
major-general, and defeated Generals Holmes and Price at Helena, Ark. 

Prentiss, Sergeant S. (1808-1850), orator, was a member of the Missis- 
sippi Legislature in 1835. He represented Mississippi in the U. S. Congress- 
as a Whig from 1838 to 1839. He made eloquent speeches against the 
repudiation of the Mississippi State debts. 

Presbyterian Church in the United States. This sect owes its origin to- 
the numerous members of the Presbyterian Churches of Scotland and Ireland 
who moved to the American colonies for greater freedom. The first Presby- 
tery was formed at Philadelphia about the }'ear 1705, largely through the 
labors of Francis Makemie. In 17 16 the first Synod was held, with about 
twenty-five churches represented. In 1729 the Westminster Confession and 
Catechisms were formally adopted. In 1741 a schism on educational ques- 
tions took place, but was healed in 1758. The first General Assembly met 
in 1789, and the Confession and Catechisms were again adopted, with some 
slight changes. In 1811 the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was formed 
by members who had seceded from the parent church. A still greater schism 
arose in 1838 between the conservative and the progressive wings of the 
denomination. These reunited in 1S71, at which time the total membership 
was about 435,000. From both these bodies the Southern members with- 
drew, and formed separate organizations, which, however, united in 1864. 
The parent church, since the reunion of 187 1, has made rapid progress, and 
by its devotion to education and missions has raised a high standard for its 
clergy and membership. In recent years much controversy has been aroused 
by the trial of Dr. Briggs for heresy. Number of members in 1890, 
788,000. 

Presbyterian Church South. This body was organized December 4, 
1 86 1, when the Southern Presbyterians seceded and organized a new General 
Assembly. The power and educational institutions of this body were greatly 
weakened by the losses of the war. In 1890 there were 180,000 members. 

Prescott, Richard (1725-1788), British soldier, came to Canada from Eng- 
land in 1773. He surrendered in 1775 on the reduction of Montreal by the 
Americans. He commanded in Rhode Island from 1776 to 1777. 

Prescott, ^A^illiam (1726-1795), served as a captain in the Provincial army 
under General Winslow in the expedition against Nova Scotia in 1755. In 
1774 he commanded a regiment of minute-men. In 1775 with a brigade of 
1000 men he constructed entrenchments at Bunker Hill. In the ensuing 
battle he displayed great skill and braven,-, and was one of the last to leave 
the entrenchments when it was found necessary to retreat. In 1777 he served 
under General Gates at Saratoga. He afterward served several years in the 
Massachusetts Legislature. 

Prescott, W^illiam Hickling (1796-1859), grandson of the commander at 
Bunker Hill, was graduated at Harvard in 1814. Abundant means enabled him 
to carry out his purposes of prolonged historical research, though his partial 
blindness was a great hindrance. Prescott's works nearly cover the period 



Dictionary of United States History. 



525 



of Spanish greatness. They appeared in this order: " Ferdinand and 
Isabella " (1838), " Conquest of Mexico " (1843), " Conquest of Peru " (1847), 
"Philip the Second" (1855-58), to which should be added the continuation 
of Robertson's " Charles V." Prescott had access to many valuable original 
sources, including the Spanish archives at Simancas, and his histories are 
permanently attractive for their charm of style. L,ife by Ticknor. 

President. Penn, in 1696, in his scheme for a general government for 
the colonies, gave its executive the title of president; the Albany Convention 
proposed that of president-general. The Continental Congress had its presi- 
dent. In the Convention of 1787, it was decided on June 4 that there 
should be a single executive, to whom on August 6 the style of President 
was given. Beside executive functions, he was invested with the veto power. 
The First Congress debated titles for him, but without finding any better 
than Mr. President. The first two Presidents read their speeches to Con- 
gress, Jefierson began the practice of sending messages instead. Up to the 
ratification of the Twelfth Amendment (1S04) the President and Vice-Presi- 
dent were not separately voted for. He who obtained the largest number of 
electoral votes was President, he who stood next Vice-President. Jefierson 
and J. Q. Adams were elected by the House of Representatives. Tyler, 
Fillmore, Johnson and Arthur were originally elected Vice-Presidents. The 
following have been the Presidents of the United States: 



Name. 



George Washington . 
George Washington . 
John Adams . . . . 
Thomas Jefferson . . 
Thomas Jefferson . . 
James Madison . . . 
James Madison . . . 
James Monroe . . . 
James Monroe . . . 
John Quincy Adams 
Andrew Jackson . . 
Andrew Jackson . . 
Martin Van Buren . 
William H. Harrison 

John Tyler 

James K. Polk . . . 
Zachary Taylor . . . 
Millard Fillmore . . 
Franklin Pierce . . 
James Buchanan . . 
Abraham Lincoln . . 
Abraham Lincoln . . 
Andrew Johnson . . 
Ulysses S. Grant . . 
Ulysses S. Grant . . 
Rutherford B. Hayes 
James A. Garfield . 
Chester A. Arthur . 
Grover Cleveland . . 
Benjamin Harrison . 
Grover Cleveland . . 
William McKinley . 



State. 



Virginia 
Virginia 
Massachusetts 
Virginia 
Virginia 
Virginia 
Virginia 
Virginia 
Virginia 
Massachusetts 
Tennessee . 
Tennessee . 
New York . 
Ohio . . . 
Virginia . 
Tennessee . 
Louisiana . 
New York 
New Hampshire , 
Pennsylvania 
Illinois . . 
Illinois . . 
Tennessee . 
Illinois . . 
Illinois . . 
Ohio . . . 
Ohio . . . 
New York 
New York 
Indiana . . 
New York 
Ohio . . . 



Political party. 



Federalist 

Federalist 

Federalist 

Dem. -Republican . . 
Dem. -Republican . . 
Dem. -Republican . 
Dem. -Republican . . 
Dem. -Republican . . 
Dem. -Republican . . 
National Republican . 

Democratic 

Democratic 

Democratic 

Whig 

Elected by Whigs . . 

Democratic 

Whig 

Whig. 

Democratic 

Democratic .... 

Republican 

Republican 

Republican 

Republican 

Republican 

Republican 

Republican 

Republican 

Democratic 

Republican 

Democratic 

Republican 



Qualified. 



April 


.•?o. 


1789 


March 


4. 


1793 


March 


4. 


1797 


March 


4, 


1801 


March 


4. 


1805 


March 


4- 


1809 


March 


4. 


i8n 


March 


4. 


1817 


March 


■i, 


1821 


March 


4, 


1825 


March 


4, 


1829 


March 


4, 


18^^ 


March 


4. 


18.^7 


March 


4. 


1841 


April 


6, 


1841 


March 


4. 


184,=; 


March 


S. 


1849 


July 


9, 


1850 


March 


4, 


i8,S,-? 


March 


4. 


I8.S7 


March 


4, 


1861 


March 


4- 


1865 


April 


i.S, 


1865 


March 


4> 


1S69 


March 


4, 


187^ 


March 


,S, 


1S77 


March 


4> 


1881 


September 


20, 


18S1 


March 


4, 


i88,s 


March 


4. 


1889 


March 


4, 


189,^ 


March 


4> 


1897 



526 Dictionary of United States History. 

President (of a State). The first constitutions of Pennsylvania and New- 
Hampshire (1776) provided, not for a single executive head, but for an 
executive council, of which one member was president. Delaware, South 
Carolina, and the New Hampshire Constitution of 1784 provided for a single 
head, but called him president. South Carolina in 1778, Pennsylvania in 
1790, Delaware and New Hampshire in 1792, altered the title to Governor. 

" President " and " Little Belt." During 1811, and ^for some time pre- 
vious, British cruisers hovering about our coast had captured many Ameri- 
can vessels bound for France, and had made a number of impressments. In 
May, 1 81 1, Commodore John Rodgers, commanding the American frigate 
"President," was ordered to put to sea from Chesapeake Bay and protect 
our commerce. When thirty miles off Cape Charles, May 16, Rodgers des- 
cried a vessel, which he supposed to be the British man-of-war " Guerri^re." 
He decided to approach her and make inquiries regarding impressment. 
This vessel was the " Little Belt," a small British frigate. She showed no 
colors and sailed away, the " President " pursuing. Overhauling her about 
eight o'clock, Rodgers declared she ran up colors which could not be recog- 
nized for the darkness, and fired upon the " President." The fire was imme- 
diately returned and the "Little Belt" was disabled in about eighteen 
minutes. The dispute as to which was in fault was never settled. When 
Foster, the British IMinister arrived, however, it was mutually agreed to 
drop the affair of the " Little Belt " and the " Constitution " outrage. — In 
September, 1814, the " President," under Decatur, was captured by the 
" Endymion " and other British vessels. 

Presidential Succession. The Constitution provides for the succession 
of the Vice-President in case of the death, removal, resignation or disability 
of the President, and gives Congress power to provide what ofiicer shall suc- 
ceed in case of the death, removal, etc., of the Vice-President. In 1793, 
Congress provided that in such case the president of the Senate should suc- 
ceed, and then the Speaker of the House of Representatives. This was of 
doubtful constitutionality, and attended Avith some inconveniences and dan- 
gers. Hence Congress in 1886 provided that in such case the succession 
should next pass to the Secretary of State, then to the Secretary of the 
Treasury, then successively to the Secretary of War, the Attorney-General* 
the Postmaster-General, the Secretary of Navy, the Secretary of Interior* 
and the Secretary of Agriculture. 

" President's March," a popular national air composed in 1789 by Pfyles, 
leader of the orchestra at the John Street Theatre, New York. It was 
played for the first time on Trenton Bridge as Washington rode over on his 
way to be inaugurated. Later Judge Hopkinson set the words of " Hail 
Columbia" to the air, and it became immensely popular under that name. 

Presidio, the military settlements made by the Spanish in California. 
They were massive forts, the chief being at Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, 
Monterey and San Diego. That of Los Angeles was the first established, 
it being begun some time before 1795, but the later forts were of more 
importance. Regular armed forces were placed in these fortresses, and vil- 
lages grew up around them. They were primarily intended to protect the 



Dictionary of United States History. 527 

religious missions, but the soldiers and friars were in constant collision. 
The coraniauder of a presidio exercised no little influence in the manage- 
ment of the province. 

Press, Freedom of the. In the original Constitution of the United 
States there was no provision regarding the freedom of the press, it being 
left to be regulated by the States in accordance with the established opinion 
of the people. But the first Congress passed an amendment to the Consti- 
tution securing the freedom of the press against the Federal Government. 
Previous to this the States had nearly all inserted in their constitutions 
clauses permitting freedom of speech and publication to every citizen. Citi- 
zens were of course held responsible for abuses of this liberty. In States, as 
New York and New Jersey, where no such provision was made in the origi- 
nal Constitution, the freedom of the press was considered as established 
under the common law, but provisions to that effect were embodied in later 
constitutions. During British rule of the colonies this freedom was much 
restricted by the Star Chamber Press-censorship regulation of 1637, which 
was confirmed by Parliament in 1643. 

Preston, John S. (1809-1881), was an able orator, and when Commissioner 
from South Carolina to Virginia in 1861, made a most elaborate plea in 
favor of secession. He served on the staff of General Beauregard from 1861 
to 1862. 

Preston, William B. (1805-1862), represented Virginia in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Whig from 1847 to 1849. ^^ "^^^^ Secretary of the Navy in 
Taylor's Cabinet from 1849 to 1850, and was a Confederate Senator in 1862. 

Preston, William C. (1794-1860), was a member of the South Carolina 
Legislature from 1828 to 1832, and a leader of the nullification party. He 
was a Democratic member of the U. S. Senate from 1S33 to 1842. 

Previous Question. The previous question, said to have been invented 
in the House of Commons by Sir Harry Vane, was not used in the practice 
of the House of Representatives in its first twenty-two years, to prevent 
further debate. Its use in its present manner originated on February 28, 
1 81 1, in a decision by the House upon appeal taken on a point of order. 

Prevost, Augustine (1725-1786), British soldier, was captain of the Royal 
Americans under Wolfe at Quebec. He was brevetted major-general for the 
capture of the fort at Sunbury, Georgia, in 1778. He defeated General 
John Ashe at Brier Creek in 1779, and made an unsuccessful attack upon 
Charleston. He successfully defended Savannah against the Americans in 
1779. 

Price, Sterling (1809-1867), a Confederate general, was Speaker of the 
]\Iissouri Lower House, and Congressman from that State in 1 845-1 846. In 
the Mexican War he commanded a regiment under Kearny and gained 
success in New ]\Iexico and Chihuahua. He was Governor of Missouri in 
1853-1857. He was one of the commanders in the defeat of Lyon at 
Wilson's Creek in 1861. The same year he captured Lexington in Missouri. 
He was defeated at luka the next year, fought at Corinth, made in 1863 an 



52S Dictionary of United States History. 

unsuccessful attempt on Helena, and in 1864 resisted General Steele's 
advance on the Red River region. 

Prideaux, John (17 18-1759), served in the British army against the French 
in America. In 1759 he commanded an expedition against Fort Niagara 
which was successful. 

Priestley, Joseph (i 733-1804), an English Unitarian clergyman, made 
many discoveries in chemistry and discovered oxygen in 1774. His theo- 
logical views were obnoxious, and in 1791 his church and property were 
destroyed by a mob. In 1794 he came to the United States from London 
and continued his investigations in science and philosophy at Northumber- 
land, Pa. 

Prigg vs. Pennsylvania. In 1837 Edward Prigg caused a fugitive Mary- 
land slave-woman to be returned to her mistress, in violation of a Penn- 
sylvania statute forbidding the carrying of any negro out of the State in order 
to enslave him. The case was finally brought before the Supreme Court of 
the United States, where it was contended that the statute was unconstitu- 
tional since it conflicted with the National Fugitive Slave Act of 1793. 
The opinion was handed down that the national law must be carried out 
by national authorities alone. 

Prime, Benjamin Y. (1733-1791), of New York, composed many popular 
songs and ballads during the Revolution. He was an able physician and a 
celebrated linguist. He wrote " Columbia's Glory," a poem, and " The 
Patriotic Muse." 

Prince, Thomas (1687-1758), was connected with the Old South Church 
in Boston, from 1718 to 175S. He collected many valuable manuscripts and 
documents relating to New England history, many of which were destroyed 
by the British in 1776. He wrote an accurate and scholarly " Chronological 
History of New England." 

Prince Society, an organization established in Boston for publishing only. 
It has issued a series of valuable annotated volumes relating to the early 
history of Massachusetts. 

" Princeton. " February 28, 1844, President Tyler and a large party sailed 
down the Potomac on the man-of-war " Princeton," to see Commodore Stock- 
ton's " Peacemaker " throw its 200-pound balls. The " Peacemaker" exploded 
and many people were killed, among them two members of the Cabinet, 
Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of State, and Thomas W. Gilmer, Secretary of 
the Navy. The President narrowly escaped. 

Princeton, Battle of, January 3, 1777. After his bold stroke at Trenton, 
Washington found himself confronted by Cornwallis. Being unable to cope 
with his superior force, he resorted to strategy-. Leaving his camp-fires 
burning and a few men working in the trenches, he passed around the British 
left and encountered their reinforcements at Princeton. These he routed, 
thus cutting the British line, forcing Cornwallis to retreat upon New York, 
and making himself master of communication between New York and Phila- 
delphia. The British lost 200 killed and 300 taken prisoners, besides a 
number of cannon. The American loss was 100. 



Dictionary of United States History. 529 

Princeton College (properly the College of New Jersey), was founded 
under the auspices of the Presbyterian Synod of New York and chartered in 
1746 and again in 1748. It suffered greatly during the Revolution and its 
main building was used as a hospital and as barracks. The college continued 
weak till the presidency of Dr. Jas. McCosh, who assumed charge in 1868. 
His administration was marked by great energy and activity. New buildings 
were erected, the endowment largely increased and the curriculum improved 
and enlarged. Its theological seminary was founded in 181 2 and is now well 
endowed and equipped. James Madison was graduated here in 1771. 

Printing, First. The first printing press in the American colonies was 
established by Stephen Day at Cambridge, Mass., in 1638. Its first produc- 
tions were the Freeman's Oath, a calendar, and the Bay Psalm-book. In 
1685, William Bradford established his printing press in Philadelphia. Its 
first issue was the Kalendarium Pennsilvaniense. 

Printing Presses. Previous to the Revolution all presses were built on 
the same plan — a flat platen, impressing against type arranged on a flat bed. 
Impressions were obtained with a screw, and fifty an hour was the maxi- 
mum capacity. In 1810, Koenig substituted the revolving cylinder for the 
platen, and obtained 1000 per hour in the London Times office. Steam 
printing presses were first used by the Nccv York Sun in 1835. Hoe's press 
inventions of 1828 and 1847 made possible 20,000 per hour, and Craske's 
discoveries in 1861 in papier 7nache stereotyping increased the rapidity of 
the presses. Improvements were continually made in the Hoe, Walter and 
Bullock presses, and the first perfecting Hoe press was erected for the New 
York Commercial Advertiser in 1880; capacity 20,000 per hour. 

Printz, Johan (1600-1663), came to America from Sweden, and was Gov- 
ernor of the Swedish colony on the Delaware from 1641 to 1654. His rule 
was marked by great military and commercial advancement. 

Prisons. The prisons of the United States down to the year 1786, and 
in most States later, shared the evil arrangements common in the prisons of 
Europe. (For an instance, see Simsbury.) In 1786 the first penitentiary 
was established, that of Philadelphia, and before long the Pennsylvania 
system became famous as the best in the world. 

Privateers. In the colonial wars Great Britain derived great advantage 
from the colonial privateers. Upward of 400 privateers, which were fitted 
out in the ports of the British colonies, did great damage to French prop- 
erty, ravaging the West India Islands belonging to France, and making 
numerous captures along the coast of France herself. After the breaking 
out of the Revolution, the Continental Congress decided in March, 177&, 
that permission be accorded to citizens to fit out privateers against the 
British. Privateers were therefore fitted out at Salem, Cape Ann, Newbury- 
port, Bristol and other seaport towns, and greatly aided by their ravagings 
the revolutionary cause. During the year 1776 American privateers cap- 
tured 342 British vessels, and these privateer adventures became so lucrative 
that the sailors could scarcely be induced to enter the national service. 
January 28, 1778, an American privateer assailed in the night the British 

34 



53° Dictionary of United States History. 

fort of New Providence, in the Bahamas, capturing the fort and a sixteen- 
gun man-of-war. Hardly had the War of 1812 been declared when priva- 
teers began to be fitted out, small vessels most of them, which chiefly 
infested the West Indies, capturing British craft of every description. The 
privateers were usually schooners or brigs of 200 or 300 tons, carrying from 
80 to 100 men. Twenty-six were fitted out in New York in the summer 
of 181 2. The list of all private armed vessels during the entire War of 181 2 
numbers more than 500. In 1813, of 400 British vessels captured, four- 
fifths were taken by privateers. The " Reindeer," " Avon " and " Blakeley," 
built near Boston in 1814 in an incredibly short time, were fair samples 
of the privateers of the later years of the war. They were larger and 
better equipped than the earlier privateers. They did not confine their cap- 
tures to merchant vessels, but boldly attacked and often defeated British war 
ships. They hiuig about the coasts of the West Indies and the Canary 
Islands and even of Great Britain and Ireland, doing immense damage to 
the British cause. 

Privy Council. This body, the constitutional advisers of the British 
king, was from 1700 superseded for the most important business by the cabi- 
net. But it still retained one important function with respect to the colonies. 
One of its four committees had cognizance, as a judicial court, of appeals 
from the highest colonial courts. It is not known that appeals to the 
King in Council were taken from colonial courts before 1675. Some of the 
colonies refused to concede such appeals until after this. But later statutes 
granted such appeal in all cases involving more than a certain sum, usually 
two hundred or three hundred pounds. 

Prize Causes, Court of Appeal in. (See Court of Appeal in Cases of 
Capture.) 

Prize Courts. During the colonial wars, cases of prize were adjudged by 
the admiralty courts held by the colonial governors as vice-admirals, or by 
judges whom they appointed, with appeal to commissioners in England. 
On the beginning of naval warfare and privateering in the Revolution, the 
States erected admiralty courts to deal with this class of cases. The Con- 
tinental Congress established a court of appeal for such causes when in 
dispute between States. Under the Judiciary Act of 1789, the U. S. District 
Courts were made prize courts, with appeal to the Supreme Court. 

Proctor, Henry A. (1787— 1859), came to America in 1812 as colonel in 
the British army. He repulsed General Hull at Amherstburg, and gained 
victories at Brownstown and at the River Raisin. He was repulsed from Fort 
Meigs by General Harrison and by Major Croghan from Fort Stephenson in 
1813, and totally defeated by General Harrison at the battle of the Thames. 

Proctor, Redfield, born in 1831, was Governor of Vermont in 1878. He 
was Secretary of War in Harrison's Cabinet from 1889 to 1891, when he 
became a U. S. Senator. 

Progressive Labor Party, the radical, or socialistic element that withdrew 
from the United Labor Party at Syracuse, N. Y. , August 19, 1886. They 
advocated a common inheritance of land and wealth and industries, and 
upheld all the tenets of extreme socialism. 



Dictionary of United States History. 531 

Prohibition appeared first as an issue in purely State politics in the Maine 
Legislature in 1837, a prohibitory bill being introduced, but defeated. Later, 
in 1846 (permanently in 1851), a prohibitory law was passed in Maine. Fol- 
lowing the lead of Maine, prohibitory laws were enacted between 1850 and 
1856, in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vennout, Michigan, New York, Iowa 
and Connecticut. Other States have tried the experiment and local option 
has been established in some of the towns and counties of these and many 
other States. Prohibition first appeared as a national issue during the session 
of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Good Templars, held in Oswego, N. Y., 
May 25, 1869. A committee was appointed to issue a call for a convention. 
This convention assembled at Chicago, September i, 1869, and formed the 
National Prohibition Reform party. The first nominating convention of this 
party was held at Columbus, O., February 22, 1872. James Black, of Penn- 
sylvania, was nominated for President and polled 5608 votes. Prohibition 
has largely entered into both national and State politics since that time, but 
is most influential in the States. In 1876 Henry W. Blair, of New Hamp- 
shire, introduced into the House a joint resolution to amend the Federal 
Constitution by prohibiting from and after 1900 the manufacture and sale of 
distilled alcoholic intoxicating liquors. It was not adopted. In national 
politics the Prohibition vote has steadily increased. In 1876 its Presidential 
candidate. Green Clay Smith, received 9522 votes; in 1880 Neal Dow received 
10,305; in 1884 John P. St. John, 150,369; in 1888 Clinton B. Fiske, 250,- 
290; in 1892 John Bidwell, 268,361. 

" Propagation of the Gospel," Societies for. The first of these societies 
was organized July 27, 1649, under the title of " Corporation for Promoting 
and Propagating the Gospel among the Indians of New England." It was 
dissolved in 1661. Its chief publications were what are known as the 
" Eliot Tracts," John Eliot being one of the moving spirits in American 
mission work among the Indians at that time. The second society of this 
kind was organized April 7, 1662, and was called " Corporation for the 
Propagation of the Gospel in New England and Parts Adjacent in America." 
It still exists. Its work was broken up for a time by the American Revo- 
lution, but was continued in New Brunswick. The third, the " Society for 
the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," was chartered June 16, 
1 701, and long maintained a useful missionary activity in the American 
colonies. The fourth and last society of this sort was incorporated by the 
State of Massachusetts in 1778, and was known as the "Society for Propa- 
gating the Gospel among the Indians and Others in North America." The 
influence of these societies was widely felt and tended to promote mission- 
ary movements in the different colonies. 

Proprietaries. Many proprietary governments were instituted in America 
by the crown, as in New York, New Jersey and the Carolinas, but only 
Pennsylvania, Delaware and Marv'land remained such until the time of the 
Revolution. In proprietar\' governments, the proprietor appointed the Gov- 
ernor, and in general performed all those acts of government which in royal 
governments were performed by the crown. The laws of Pennsylvania and 
Delaware were subject to the supervision and control of the crown; those of 
Maryland were not. 



532 



Dictionary op United States History. 



Protection. The American Government has maintained the policy of 
protection during all its history, except during the years from the establish- 
ment of the Walker tariff of 1846 to that of the Morrill tariff of 1861. The 
first tarifif, that of 1789, was one in which, though the amount of protection 
was moderate, the principle of protection was distinctly recognized. From 
1824 to 1846 tariffs were arranged in accordance with the American system, 
i. e., the combination of protection with the policy of internal improvements 
at national expense. (See art. Tariff.) 

Protestant Episcopal Church. This is the name of what may be called 
the Church of England in America. Its history begins with the settlement 
at Jamestown (1607), among whose settlers was a clergyman, Rev. R. Hunt, 
who labored zealously in the colony throughout his life. The clergy were 
supported by grants from the Legislature, and afterward by tithes, and the 
interests of the church were carefully fostered by the Virginia Company and 
by the successive royal governors. William and Mary College was char- 
tered in 1692 in order to educate the clergy for the colonial churches. 
By 1 701 Maryland for the most part had become Episcopal and attempts 
were soon made to establish the church in the more southern colonies, but 
with poor success. In New York City Trinity Church was founded 1696, 
and generally throughout the Middle States the church was spread through 
the agency of the " Society for Propagating the Gospel," chartered 1701. By 
the time of the Revolution there had been established in New England 
thirty-six churches. This war greatly lessened the influence of the church, 
which naturally was English in sympathy, but in 1785 the first general con- 
vention was held and remodeled the organization to suit the new political 
condition. Two years later American bishops were consecrated in London 
(Seabury in Scotland in 1784), and thus the formal organization of the 
American church was completed. During the next twenty years the church 
lost almost all its power through dissension and the withdrawal of State aid, 
but from that time on a steady growth has been manifest, and the church in 
1890 numbered 532,000 communicants. 

Providence, R. I. , was settled in 1636 by Roger Williams and his company, 
who were forced to leave Massachusetts because of their religious opinions. 
The town was nearly destroyed by the Indians in 1676. Providence was 
incorporated as a city in 1832. Brown University was removed hither in 1770. 

Providence Plantations. March 14, 1644, Roger Williams obtained from 
the Parliamentary Commissioners a patent which associated the towns of 
Providence, Portsmouth and Newport in one community, though it pre- 
scribed no criterion of citizenship, and no form of organization. Massa- 
chusetts claimed these settlements in the Narragansett Countr}', but failed 
to make good her claim. Plymouth also threatened trouble concerning the 
ownership of the territory. Williams endeavored to institute a system of 
government, but the scheme proved a failirre at first. The Providence Plan- 
tations remained distinct from the Rhode Island colony until they were 
united under the charter of 1663. 

Provoost, Samuel (1742-1815), was rector of Trinity Church, New York, 
from 1784 to 1800. He was Bishop of New York from 1787 to 1801, one 
of the first bishops consecrated for America. 



Dictionary of United States History. 533 

Prox, or Proxy. lu old Rhode Island usage, a list of candidates at an 
election, a ticket, or ballot; in Connecticut, an election, or election-day. 

Prussia. The United States concluded with Prussia treaties of amity and 
commerce in 17S5 and 1799, and a treaty of commerce and navigation in 
182S. Prussia joined with the other German States in an extradition con- 
vention in 1852. 

Pruyn, Robert H. (1815-1882), served in the New York Assembly from 
1848 to 1850 and in 1854. He was Minister to Japan from 1861 to 1865, 
and greatly increased American power in the East. 

Pryor, Roger A., born in 1828, was a special commissioner to Greece in 
1855. He represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 
1859 to 1861. He became a brigadier-general in the Confederate service,, 
and since the war has been a prominent lawyer in New York. 

Public Land. (See No Man's Land.) 

" Publick Occurrences, both Foreign and Domestick," the first news- 
paper published in America, though it can hardly be called a newspaper, as 
no second number appeared. It was issued at Boston in 1690 by Benjamin, 
Harris and printed by Richard Pierce. A year earlier there had been pub- 
lished at Boston, by Samuel Green, extracts from a letter of Dr. Increase 
Mather, who was then endeavoring to secure a new charter for Massachusetts. 
Publick Occurrences^ four days after its appearance, was spoken of in the 
General Court of Massachusetts as a pamphlet published " contrary to law 
and containing reflections of a very high nature." It was accordingly sup- 
pressed, though the contents were innocent enough, and the court forbade 
" anything in print without license obtained from those appointed by the 
Government to grant the same." Publick Occurrences was printed on three 
pages of a folded sheet, one page being blank, two columns to a page, 7x11. 
It was designed for a monthly issue. 

Puebla, Mexico, occupied at the close of the Mexican War by 500 Ameri- 
can soldiers under Colonel Childs. General Santa Anna, after evacuating 
the city of Mexico, besieged this place from September 24 to October i, 
1847, hoping to take it and thus cut off Scott's communications with Vera 
Cruz. The siege was ineffectual. 

Pueblo Indians, early inhabited what is now New Mexico. They have 
always been in a state of serai-civilization and by a decision of the Supreme 
Court in 1857 were declared citizens of the United States. They have 
invariably been peaceful and friendly to the whites. 

Pueblos, the purely civic colonies established in California by the Spanish. 
They were so called to distinguish them from the missiones and presidios. 
Pueblo lands were vested, either by proprietary right in the individual, or in 
companies of individuals, reserving to them certain rights as citizens and 
colonists. The first settlers were also allowed money and supplies to start 
on. The first pueblo settlement in Alta California was made in 1771. The 
inhabitants of pueblos were permitted by a decree of Philip II., of Spain, to 
elect their own magistrates, of whom th.e alcalde was the chief Lands 



534 Dictionary of United States History. 

outside the pueblo grants were reserved to the king, but might be used as 
a common pasturage. 

Pugh, George E. (1822-1876), was an aide to General Lane in the Mexican 
War. He represented Ohio in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 1855 to 
1861. 

Pugh, James L., born in 1820, represented Alabama in the U. S. Congress 
as a Democrat' from 1859 to 1861. He served in the Confederate Senate 
from 1862 to 1865. He has been a member of the U. S. Senate from 1879 
to the present time (1897). 

Pulaski, Kazimierz (i 748-1 779), was outlawed for leading the insurgents 
in Poland, and came to America in 1777. He was placed on Washington's 
staff and rendered valuable assistance at Brandywine and Germantown. 
From 1777 to 1778 he served under General Wayne as a brigadier-general. 
He was given command of a body of foreigners, deserters and prisoners 
of war, which became famous as " Pulaski's legion." He made a vigorous 
but unsuccessful attack on the British at Charleston in 1779. He com- 
manded the French and American cavalry in the siege of Savannah and was 
mortally wounded. 

Pulaski, Fort, opposite Savannah, Ga., captured after a bombardment of 
fifteen hours by the Union commander Gillmore, April 10, 1862. Savannah 
was thus cut off from the outside world and remained in possession of the 
Federals. 

Puritans. The name Puritans was first used in England to designate 
those Protestant members of the Church of England who, while not desiring 
to separate from or to destroy the existing establishment, desired to see it 
infused with a spirit of greater earnestness and purged of many still-remain- 
ing Catholic ceremonies. The settlers of Massachusetts Bay came from this 
set, which is not to be confounded with the Separatists or Independents, from 
whom the Pilgrim Fathers came. The Separatists were the extreme wing 
of the Puritan party, we may say, so extreme that they preferred to abandon 
the Established Church, and would gladly have seen it abolished. As the 
contest in England went on, and deepened into civil war, the Puritans mosth' 
became either Presbyterians or Independents. Similarly in America circum- 
stances made of the settlers at the Bay a body of Independents whose ecclesi- 
astical polity did not differ from that of the Plymouth Pilgrims. The 
Puritan spirit was one of severe moral earnestness, united with a Calvinistic 
theology. Their opposition to amusements grew more and more severe, and 
the persecuting spirit prevailed among them. Toward the end of the 
century, Puritanism in Massachusetts began to relax. In New Haven it was 
more rigid than in Massachusetts; in Connecticut somewhat less so. Rhode 
Island was partly Puritan in sentiment (using Puritan in the general, or 
English sense), but never under control of the Puritans. In the other 
colonies there were some Puritan settlements, as at Newark in New Jersey, 
at Providence (.A.nnapolis) in Maryland, and at Dorchester in South Carolina. 

Putnam, Israel (1718-1790), a Revolutionan,' general, was born at Dan- 
ver3, Mass., and settled as a farmer in northeastern Connecticut, near Pomfret. 



Dictionary of United States History. 535 

Putnam's early life is associated with many romantic episodes, the wolf hunt, 
his service in the French and Indian War with Rogers' Rangers, his rescue 
of Fort Edward, and his narrow escape from death by burning while a 
prisoner of the Indians. He was in command of a regiment with General 
Amherst in the Canadian campaign of 1 760. In the stirring times following 
he was one of the chief " Sons of Liberty." How at the news of Lexington 
he dropped his plough and rode in a day to Cambridge is a fireside story. 
Putnam was made commander of the Connecticut troops and a brigadier. 
He commanded at Bunker Hill conjointly with Colonel Prescott. Forthwith 
he was appointed one of the major-generals, and had charge of the centre in 
the siege of Boston. In the defence of Long Island he was entrusted with 
the works on Brooklyn Heights, and in the retreat from New York his name 
is often mentioned. For a short time he was Governor of Philadelphia, and 
was then in 1777 placed in command of the defences in the Highlands of 
the Hudson. He was engaged in the repulse of Tryon's troops in the south- 
west of Connecticut, in connection with which is related the somewhat 
apocryphal story of Putnam's escape on horseback down a flight of stone 
steps. 

Putnam, Rufus (1738-1S24), of Massachusetts, was appointed lieutenant- 
colonel in 1775. He superintended the construction of defences about New 
York and at West Point. He fought at Stillwater and served under General 
Wayne. Afterward he was prominent in the settlement of Ohio. 

Pynchon, John (1621-1703), came to America from England in 1630 and 
became chief magistrate at Springfield in 1652. He rendered great assist- 
ance during the Indian Wars. He was an assistant under the Massachusetts 
charter from 1665 to 1686. 

Pynchon, William (1590-1662), came to New England from England in 
1630. He founded a settlement at Springfield, Mass., in 1636. He was 
given the government of the settlement in 1640, and managed affairs very 
successfully. While in England in 1650, he published " The Meritorious 
Price of Our Redemption," which caused great excitement as being heretical. 



Q. 

Quackenbush, Stephen P. (1823-1890), U. S. Navy, had charge of the 
*' Delaware," the " Uuadilla," the " Pequot," the " Patapsco " and the 
*' Mingo." He fought at Roanoke Island, Winton, Malvern Hill and Harri- 
son's Landing, and captured the " Princess Royal." 

Quaker Hill, Battle of, August 29, 1778. On the night of August 28, 
the Americans on Rhode Island fell back toward Butts Hill at the northern 
end of the island. Contrary to Greene's advice the enemy were allowed to 
occupy Quaker and Turkey Hills. From these hills the British assailed the 
Americans, but were repulsed and driven back to Turkey Hill. The hottest 
of the battle took place on the low ground between the hills. The Ameri- 
can loss in killed and wounded was 206; that of the British 222. 



536 Dictionary of United States History. 

Quaker Road, Va., among the last of the battles of the celebrated cam- 
paign of the Civil War about Richmond and Petersburg. It occurred 
March 29, 1865, Grant having ordered a general advance of his left against 
the Confederate lines in order to intercept Lee's meditated withdrawal to 
North Carolina. Warren's corps, while pushing along the Quaker Road to 
strike the Boydton Road, fell in with a body of Confederates. The latter 
were defeated and 100 prisoners taken. 

Quakers. (See Friends.) 

Quarantine. In the United States quarantine enactments were passed by 
the colonial legislatures and afterward for many years by the States. The 
first national quarantine act was passed February 23, 1799, requiring Federal 
officers to aid in the execution of State or municipal quarantine regulations. 
April 29, 1878, a national quarantine act was passed. March 3, 1883, 
$100,000 were appropriated for maintaining quarantine points along the 
coast. On September i, 1892, owing to the presence of cholera, President 
Harrison proclaimed a twenty-days' quarantine of New York. 

Quarter Dollar. Its issue was authorized (weight 104 grains) by Con- 
gress in 1792, and its coinage was begun in 1796. It was reduced to 93 
grains in 1853. This coin is legal tender to the amount of ten dollars. 
There were no issues of the quarter dollar during the years 1798 to 1803 
inclusive, 1808 to 1815 inclusive, 1817, 1824, 1826 and 1830. 

Quarter Eagle, a gold coin of the value of two and a half dollars, author- 
ized in 1792, coinage begun 1796. The weight was slightly reduced in 
1834. The reverse of this coin contains a figure of the national bird, and 
hence the name of the coin. As a legal tender the value of this coin is 
unlimited. No coinage 1800, 1801, 1809 to 1821. 

Quartering Acts. In 1765 Parliament passed an act compelling the col- 
onies to provide the garrisons in America with fire, candles, vinegar, salt, 
bedding, cooking utensils and liquors. It was the first act requiring the 
colonies to tax themselves for imperial objects. In 1774 an act was passed 
legalizing the quartering of troops in the town of Boston. Both acts were 
most distasteful to the colonists. 

Quay, Matthew S. , born in 1833, attained the rank of colonel during the 
Civil War. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature from 1864 
to 1866, Secretar}' of the State from 1873 to 1878 and from 1879 to 1882, 
and State Treasurer in 1885. He was elected to the U. S. Senate as a 
Republican in 1887 and re-elected in 1893. 

Quebec. In June, 1759, Wolfe appeared before Quebec with 4000 men and 
a fleet. The French under Montcalm, numbering 16,000, held all the heights 
on the north bank of the river. Wolfe seized the heights on the south, thus 
commanding the basin and getting his artillery trained on the town. The 
French plan was the defensive. Wolfe got his ships past the city, making 
the line of defence longer. He also entrenched himself on the French left 
and made a furious assault at Montmorenci (q. v.) As the season wore on he 
was obliged to strike a blow before winter. This he did on September 13, 
and gained a decisive advantage on the Plains of Abraham (q. v.) The 



Dictionary of United States History. 537 

French were disorganized. Vaudreuil proved incompetent and ordered the 
garrison to capitulate when provision gave out. This the gallant Ramesay 
was forced to do just as aid came from Montreal. The citadel capitulated 
September 17, 1759. The English garrisoned the place. The French made 
an attempt to regain it the following spring, but were driven back. The 
fall of the citadel was the death-blow to French power in North America. 
At the beginning of the Revolution, as a part of the scheme for the conquest 
of Canada, a force was sent against Quebec under Benedict Arnold. After 
numberless privations, he arrived at Quebec on November 13, 1775, and 
drew up for battle the 700 men who remained of his force. December 3 
Montgomery came with 500 men, and on December 31 a furious attack was 
made upon the town from opposite sides. The repulse was due mainly to 
the unfortunate death of General Montgomery-. Arnold also was severely 
wounded. The expedition was a blank failure. 

Quebec Act, an act of the British parliament in 1774, designed to prevent 
that newly acquired province from joining for freedom with the other 
colonies. The property of the Catholic church was guaranteed to it, and the 
boundaries of Quebec were extended to the Mississippi River on the west, 
and to the Ohio on the south, beside the present Canada. This was the 
territory now included in the five States northwest of the Ohio. 

Queen Anne's War. In 1702 there broke out in Europe the war of the 
Spanish succession, which was known in this country* as Queen Anne's War. 
It was chiefly a series of bushranging skirmishes between the frontiersmen 
of the English and French settlements. In 1704 and 1705 James Moore, 
of South Carolina, with 50 whites and 1000 Creek Indians, attacked and 
destroyed several Spanish settlements in Florida. The French retaliated by 
a water attack on Charleston in 1706, but they were easily defeated and 
driven away. In 1704 a body of 350 Canadians and Indians massacred the 
inhabitants of Deerfield, Mass. Three attempts were made by New England 
troops, 1704, 1707 and 1710, to capture Acadia, the last proving successful. 
The war was ended by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. 

Queenstown, Ontario. General Van Rensselaer, in command of the Ameri- 
can troops on the Niagara frontier, mustered nearly 6000 men at or near 
Lewiston. On the night of October 12, 1812, he sent over about 1000 
men to attack Queenstown preparator>- to a further invasion of Canada. 
General Brock, the capturer of Detroit, in person commanded the British 
forces, but was killed earh- in the action. The rest of the American troops 
refused to cross the river, and the attacking party, overpowered by numbers, 
was compelled to surrender. The American loss in killed and wounded 
was 190, in prisoners 900; the British lost about 130 killed, wounded and 
prisoners. 

Quids. The name applied to a faction of the Republican party, led by 
John Randolph from 1805 to 181 1. They were opposed to the nomination 
of Madison, Jefferson's choice fpr the succession. They declared war on the 
administration party in 1806, as governing Congress by backstairs influence. 
From that time they were called " quids," or the tertiiim qin'd, as distin- 
guished from the two great parties. They opposed the restrictive system, 



538 Dictionary of United States History. 

and nominated Monroe in 1808. Their leading ground of divergence from 
the administration was that it had moved away from the ground occupied 
by the party when in opposition, and in the direction of centralization and 
federal encroachment. 

Quincy, Josiah (i 744-1 775), of Boston, attained high rank as a lawyer. He 
denounced the Stamp Act and other oppressive measures of Parliament in a 
series of articles in the Boston Gazette^ signed "Hyperion." In 1770 he 
defended Captain Preston and the British soldiers implicated in the Boston 
Massacre. In 1774 he published an able work entitled " Observations on 
the Boston Port Bill," which clearly indicated war and American independ- 
ence as the final result of the controversies. In 1774 he went to England 
as a confidential agent of the colonial patriots, and was active in strengthen- 
ing the American cause, but died on his return. 

Quincy, Josiah (1772— 1864), was the son of the Revolutionary patriot of 
the same name, and graduated at Harvard. Very early in life he began a 
political career, was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature, and after a 
defeat entered Congress in 1805. He was a Federalist and in sympathy 
with the Essex Junto. During his Congressional service, which lasted until 
1813, he made many notable speeches, particularly against the Embargo, 
on the Louisiana question, and in support of the navy. From 1823 to 1828, 
Mr. Quincy was mayor of Boston, and from 1829 to 1845, president of Har- 
vard College, where he favored the elective system, introduced marking 
regulations, and acquired the great telescope. He wrote histories of Harvard 
College and of Boston. 

Quint, a silver coin equal to about thirty-five cents and weighing five 
pennyweights, fifteen grains, presented to the Continental Congress in 1783, 
by Robert Morris for consideration as a national coin, but not accepted. 
Obverse: an eye, thirteen points cross, equidistant, a circle of as many stars. 
Legend: Nova Constellatio. Reverse: U. S. 500., a wreath surrounding. 
Legend: Libertas, Justitia. This coin, with the mark, formed the Nova 
Constellatio coinage. 

Quitman, John A. (i 799-1 858), was chancellor of the Mississippi Superior 
Court from 1828 to 1831, and from 1832 to 1835. He was a member of the 
Mississippi Senate in 1835, and ex-officio Governor for a time. He com- 
manded a brigade at Monterey, led the assault at Vera Cruz, commanded at 
Alvarado, and stormed Chapul tepee. He was appointed by General Scott 
Governor of the City of Mexico. He was Governor of Mississippi from 1850 
to 1851, and served in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1855 to 1858. 
He early maintained the right of secession, and suggested a Southern 
Confederacv.- 

Quivira, an Indian town of the sixteenth century, presumably situated in 
what is now the State of Kansas, and reputed to contain fabulous wealth. 
It was visited by twent\'-nine Spaniards under Coronado, a Spanish leader, 
in 1541. The exploring band traveled northward through Mexico over the 
plains for several months, led by wandering Indian tribes. Quivira, when 
finally reached, was found to be an ordinary Indian village. 



Dictionary of Uxited States History. 



539 



Quorum. During the first fifty Congresses tlie rule requiring tlie presence 
of a quorum, in order to invalidate the proceedings, had been interpreted to 
mean that the constitutional quorum (one-half), was shown to be present by 
the count of votes. In September, 1890, the Speaker (T. B. Reed, of Maine), 
ruled that he might decide a quorum to be present when enough members 
were visibly present, though some did not vote. 



R. 

Rafn, Karl C. (1795-1864), Danish archseolo.gist, made a careful study of 
the ancient Norwegian and Icelandic sagas, especially those concerning expe- 
ditious to North America. He held that the Scandinavians discovered 
America in the tenth century, that the coast as far as Massachusetts and 
Rhode Island had been partially colonized, and that the Vikings reached 
Florida. His best known work is " Antiquitates Americanse." 

Raguet, Condy (i 784-1 842), of Philadelphia, was U. S. Consul at Rio 
Janeiro from 1822 to 1825, ^"d charge d' affaires from 1825 to 1827. He 
negotiated a treaty with Brazil. He was a prominent writer on free trade. 

Railroads. The first railroad constructed in America was projected by 
Gridley Bryant in 1825, ^^^ extended from Quincy, Mass., to the nearest tide- 
water. It was four miles long. The second railroad extended from mines near 
Mauch Chunk, Pa., to the Lehigh River. It was begun in 1827. Stephen- 
son's locomotive came into use in 1829, and by 1830 there were twenty-three 
miles of railroad completed in the United States. The New York Central 
road was projected in 1825; the Boston and Albany in 1827; the Baltimore 
and Ohio in 182S; the Pennsylvania in 1827; the Marj'land and South Caro- 
lina in 1828. In 1840 there were 2200 miles completed; in 1850, 7500; in 
i860, 29,000; in 1870, 49,000; in 1880, 93,671, and in 1893, 171,805 miles, 
showing total assets of $11,482,000,000. The consolidation of railway com- 
panies began in 1853, forming a germ of the grand trunk system. Govern- 
ment aid was first extended to railroads in 1S50, in the case of the Illinois 
Central, by a large land grant. In 1862 the Union Pacific Company was 
granted both land and pecuniary aid. To the Northern Pacific were granted 
47,000,000 acres; to the Atlantic and Pacific 42,000,000 acres. These roads 
were begun in 1864 and 1866 respectively. In 1869 Vanderbilt consolidated 
the Hudson River and New York Central roads, forming a trunk line to the 
West. The United States now contains about one-half of the railway mile- 
age of the world. 

Rail- Splitter, a nickname for Abraham Lincoln, who in his youth earned 
money to educate himself by splitting rails for a neighbor. 

Rains, Gabriel J. (1803-1881), served during the Mexican War. He 
joined the Confederates in 1861, led a division at Wilson's Creek, and served 
at Shiloh, Perryville and Seven Pines. 

Rale. (See Rasle.) 



540 Dictionary of United States History. 

Raleigh, Sir Walter (1552-1618), one of the celebrated Elizabethan navi- 
gators, was a native of Devonshire. He served with the French Huguenots 
under Coligny, in the Netherlands, and in Ireland. His first scheme to col- 
onize America failed in 1579. He encouraged the ill-fated expedition of his 
half-brother, Gilbert, and soon after, in 1584, despatched Amidas and Barlow 
to make a settlement. This attempt, as well as the subsequent one of 
Grenville and Lane in 1585, and that of White in 1587, all under Raleigh's 
.uispices, miscarried, and the introduction of tobacco and potatoes into 
Europe were the chief material results. Raleigh led an expedition up the 
Orinoco, served at Cadiz and against the Armada, and was a friend of Spen- 
ser, and himself an author. In 1603 he was disgraced and put in the Tower, 
where he wrote a " History of the World." Released after many years, he 
made an unfortunate voyage to Guiana, was re-arrested on his return and 
e>secuted. 

Raleigh, N. C, became the State capital in 1792. It was founded at that 
time for that purpose. It was occupied by Shennan's anny of 85,000 
Federals, during his pursuit of Johnston commanding 45,000 Confederate 
troops. Sherman passed through this town April 13, 1865, and encamped a 
few miles beyond. This took place without bloodshed, as Johnston's army 
was in full retreat toward Charlotte. Kilpatrick's cavalry was hurried for- 
ward in pursuit of the retreating Confederates. 

Rail, Johann G. (i720?-i776), was one of the Hessians hired by George 
III. to serve in America. He fought at White Plains and Fort Washington, 
and was surprised and killed at the battle of Trenton. 

Rambouillet Decree, a decree issued by Napoleon, March 23, 1810, ordering 
the immediate seizure and sale of American vessels, whether in French ports 
or those of territories occujiied by French armies. This decree was not 
known in the United States until July. The decree was issued in retaliation 
for the repeal of our non-intercourse act. Napoleon avowing his determina- 
tion to prohibit any commercial intercourse with the allies of France which 
was not enjoyed by that country also. 

Ramsay, David (1749-1 81 5), a physician, was a member of the South 
Carolina Legislature from 1776 to 1783. He was taken prisoner at Charles- 
ton in 1780, and confined eleven months as a hostage. He represented 
South Carolina in the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1786. He wrote 
a " History of the American Revolution," " Life of George Washington," 
" History of South Carolina " and " History of the United States." 

Ramsey, Alexander, born in 1815, represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. 
Congress as a Whig from 1843 to 1847. He was territorial Governor of 
Minnesota from 1849 ^o 1853, and Governor of that State from 1859 to 
1863. He was a Republican member of the U. S. Senate from 1863 to 1875, 
and Secretary of War in Hayes' Cabinet from 1879 to 1881. 

Randall, Alexander W. (1S19-1872), was a member of the Wisconsin 
Assembly in 1855. He was a district judge in 1856. He was Governor of 
Wisconsin from 1S57 ^'^ 1861, and was energetic in raising troops for the 



Dictionary of United States History. 541 

Civil War. He was Minister to Italy from 1861 to 1862, Assistant Post- 
master-General in Johnson's Cabinet from 1866 to 1869. 

Randall, James R., born in 1839, wrote many popnlar songs in support 
of the Southern cause, among them " Maryland, My Maryland " and " The 
Battle-Cry of the South." He became editor of the Constitutionalist in 1866. 

Randall, Samuel J. (1828-1890), represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1863 to 1890. He distinguished himself by 
speeches against the "Force Bill" in 1875. While chairman- of the Com- 
mittee on Appropriations, from 1875 to 1876, he curtailed expenditures by a 
systematic reduction in appropriations. He was Speaker from 1876 to 1881. 
He was prominent as a leader in opposition to the Morrison tariff bill in 
1884. He served on Committees of Banking, Rules and Elections. He was 
prominent in tariff debates as a leader of the protectionist wing of the 
Democratic party. 

Randolph, Edmund Jennings (1753-1813), was a member of one of the 
most noted Virginian families. Soon after leaving William and Mary College 
he became prominent as a patriotic leader, and was active in the Virginia 
Constitutional Convention of 1776. He was Attorney-General of the State, 
delegate to the Continental Congress, and member of the Annapolis Conven- 
tion of 1786. While Governor of Virginia, 1 786-1 788, he sat in the Federal 
Convention of 1787, introduced the "Virginia Plan," and was a leading 
debater. He refused to sign the Constitution, yet defended it tlie next year 
in the State Ratifying Convention. He was in Washington's Cabinet as 
Attorney-General, 1789-1794, and Secretary of State 1794-1795. In the 
latter position he was involved in some charges made in connection with 
the French minister, and resigned. Life by Conway. 

Randolph, Edward (i62o?-after 1694), came to New England in 1675 
as a commissioner of the British Government. He returned exaggerated 
accounts of the population and wealth of the colonies, and urged measures 
of taxation and oppression. By his efforts the charter of Massachusetts 
was conditionally forfeited. He was secretary of New England and a mem- 
ber of the Governor's council from 1686 to 1689. 

Randolph, John, of Roanoke (June 2, 1773-June 24, 1833), was a near 
relative of Edmund Randolph. He was educated at Princeton and Colum- 
bia, and in 1799 entered the National House of Representatives from Vir- 
ginia. Though very young, he soon became a leader on the Democratic side. 
His strict constructionism, however, was of the most thorough-going stamp, 
and he was frequently at variance with Jefferson and other party chiefs. Ran- 
dolph was renowned for an eloquent satire of a peculiarly bitter kind, whose 
effect was enhanced by his personal eccentricities. He was foremost in the 
conflict against the Yazoo frauds and the Embargo. He also opposed Madi- 
son and the War of 181 2. His career in the House lasted until 1825, with 
a break from 1813 to 1815. From 1825 to 1827 he was U. S. Senator. He 
invented the epithet "dough-faces" for Northern sympathizers with slavery, 
and styled the union of Adams and Clay a " coalition between the black- 
leg and the Puritan," which remark led to a duel with Clay. President 



542 Dictionary of United States History. 

Jackson sent him in 1830 as U. S. Minister to Russia, but his stay abroad 
was brief. There are lives of Randolph by Garland and by Henry Adams. 

Randolph, Peyton (1721-1775), was appointed king's attorney in Virginia 
in 1748, and held office till 1766. He was elected to the Virginia House of 
Burgesses in 1748, and was chairman of a committee to revise the colonial laws. 
He drew up the remonstrance against the Stamp Act in 1765, but opposed 
Patrick Henry's resolutions. He was elected president of the first Conti- 
nental Congress in 1774, but soon afterward resigned on account of ill 
health. He presided over the Virginia conventions of 1774 and 1775. He 
was again a member of the Continental Congress in 1775. 

Randolph, Theodore F. (1816-1883), was a New Jersey Senator from 1861 
to 1865, Governor of New Jersey from 1868 to 1872, and a Democratic U. S. 
Congressman from 1875 to 1881. 

Randolph Plan, the scheme of a Federal constitution proposed in the 
Convention of 1787 by Edmund Randolph of Virginia. It was the first plan 
submitted, being presented May 29. It was composed of fifteen resolutions 
and proposed a correction of the Articles of Confederation; representation 
by population in two branches of Congress, the first chosen by the people, 
the second by State Legislatures; congressional control of taxation and com- 
merce; congressional veto of State enactments; that Congress should choose 
the executive; that the executive with part of the judiciary should have a 
limited veto on Acts of Congress, and other less important provisions. The 
plan was favorably reported and many of its suggestions were used in the 
drafting of the Constitution as it now exists. 

Ransom, Matt W., born in 1826, was Attorney-General of North Caro- 
lina from 1852 to 1855, and a member of the State Legislature from 1858 to 
i860. He attained the rank of brigadier-general in the Confederate service 
and was engaged in all the important battles of the Anny of Northern Vir- 
ginia. Since 1872 he has served in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat. His 
present tenn expires in 1895. 

Ransom, Thomas E. G. (i 834-1 864), fought at Charleston, Fort Henry, 
Fort Donelson and Shiloli, and served on General Grant's staff at Vicksburg. 
He commanded a division at Sabine Cross-roads and a corps in operations 
about Atlanta. He died in Georgia. 

Rantoul, Robert (1805-1852), was a member of the Massachusetts Legis- 
lature from 1833 to 1837. He made a powerful and famous appeal for the 
abolition of capital punishment. He was counsel for Thomas Sims in 
his celebrated fugitive slave case. He was U. S. District Attorney for 
Massachusetts from 1845 to 1849, and served in the U. S. Senate as a Demo- 
crat from 1 85 1 to 1852. He was an eloquent speaker on moral, political and 
educational reforms. 

Rapp, George (i 770-1847), founded the Harmonists, a socialistic religious 
sect. They emigrated to Pennsylvania from Germany in 1803. Their 
community is prosperous, and noteworthy for its morality and the promo- 
tion of education. 



Dictionary of United States History. 543 

Rappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford, Va. This battle of the Civil 
War took place November 7, 1863, during Meade's and Lee's operations in 
Northern Virginia. Sedgwick, advancing toward the Rappahannock River, 
came upon about 2000 Confederates of Ewell's column of Lee's army under 
Godwin. Russell's division of the famous sixth corps was ordered to charge. 
This they did so successfully that Godwin was routed and 1600 prisoners 
were taken. An engagement took place the same day at Kelly's Ford near 
the station. 

Rasin River (Frenchtown, now Monroe, Mich.) General James Winches- 
ter with about 1000 Kentuckians, under orders of General Harrison, erected 
fortifications at the rapids of the Maumee. After this was done he sent 
ahead two-thirds of his men to drive the British from Frenchtown and, on 
the success of this movement, himself followed with the rest of his forces. 
Here he was attacked by General Proctor with 1500 British and Indians on 
January 22, 181 3. Taken by surprise the Americans, after a brief defence, 
fled to the woods. A surrender was eflfected with full assurance of safety. 
The captives were hurried to Maiden, leaving the sick and wounded Ameri- 
cans behind. These were at once massacred by the Indians, save a few who 
were taken to Detroit for ransom. The Americans lost 197 killed and miss- 
ing, and 737 prisoners. The British loss was 24 killed and 158 wounded. 
" Remember the River Rasin " was long a war cr>- of Kentuckian soldiers. 

Rasle, Sebastien (1658— 1724), came to America as a Catholic missionary 
from France in 1689. He assumed charge of the mission of Norridgewock, 
on the Kennebec, about 1695. The Indians were induced by him to support 
the French. He was wrongfully charged with causing Indian depredations, 
and a price was put on his head. His church was three times destroyed, 
and he was finally surprised and shot by the English colonists. 

Ratification of the Constitution. The Constitution was by its own terms to 
become binding on the States ratifying when it had been ratified by conven- 
tions of nine States. Signed September 17, 1787, it was at once transmitted 
to Congress, and by Congress to the States. It was ratified by the convention 
of Delaware on December 7; by Pennsylvania on December 12; by New Jersey 
on December 18; by Georgia on January 2, 178S; by Connecticut Januar>' 9; by 
Massachusetts on February 6, with recommendations of amendment; by Mary- 
land on April 28; by South Carolina on May 23, and by New Hampshire 
on June 21, 1788, making nine. Virginia ratified June 25, 1788 ; New York, 
July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode Island, May 
29, 1790. In the last four the debate was especially warm, and in general, 
ratification was secured with difficulty. Hamilton and Madison had a lead- 
ing part in bringing it about. The well-to-do and commercial classes gener- 
ally supported it. For the ratification of amendments, see art. Amendments. 

Raum, Green B., born in 1829, served with distinction during the Civil 
War. He represented Illinois in the U. S. Congress as a Republican from 
1867 to 1869, was Commissioner of Internal Revenue from 1876 to 1883, 
and Commissioner of Pensions from 1889 to 1893. 

Rawdon, Francis (1754-1826), Lord Rawdon, came to America as a 
British soldier in 1773. He was a captain at Bunker Hill. As aide to Sir 



544 Dictionary of United States History. 

Henry Clinton he fought at Long Island, White Plains, Fort Washington, 
Fort Clinton; also at Monmouth. He led a corps at the battle of Camden 
in 1780, and defeated General Nathanael Greene at Hobkirk's Hill, relieved 
Fort Ninety-Six and fortified Orangeburg. He incurred much obloquy for 
the execution of Colonel Isaac Hayne. Afterward he was made Earl of 
Moira, Marquis of Hastings, and Governor-General of India. 

Rawlins, John A. (1831-1869), became a successful lawyer in Illinois. 
He ably defended the Union cause. He became an aide to Grant when 
commissioned brigadier-general in 1861, and served with him throughout 
the War. Although he knew nothing of military affairs at the beginning 
of the War, yet he showed remarkable executive ability and became Gen- 
eral Grant's chief of staff in 1865. He exerted great influence over General 
Grant, and rendered valuable advice in many of the important manoeuvres. 
He was Secretary of War in Grant's Cabinet in 1869. 

Raymond, Henry J. (1820-1869), became assistant editor of the New 
York Tribune on its foundation in 1841. He was connected with the Courier 
and Enquirer from 1843 to 1851. In 1851 he established the New York 
Times, and was of great influence as its editor. He represented New York 
in the U. S. Congress as a Republican from 1865 to 1867. He wrote a 
" Life of Daniel Webster " and " The Life and Public Services of Abraham 
Lincoln." 

Raymond, Miss. In this battle. May 12, 1863, during Grant's Mississippi 
campaign of the Civil War, 6000 Federals under McPherson defeated Gregg 
leading 7000 Confederates. Grant was moving his army along the Big Black 
River in two columns. McPherson commanded the corps on the extreme 
left, eight miles from the main line. Early on the twelfth of May Gregg 
fell upon Logan's division of McPherson's troops. The fight lasted three 
hours and was very severe. The Confederates v-ere pursued. 

Raynal, Guillaume T. P., called Abbe (1713-1793), published a philo- 
sophical history of the discovery and conquest of the American colonies 
which contained attacks on the Roman Catholic Church and was condemned 
by it, but was widely popular. 

Read, George (1733-1798), a signer of the Declaration of Independence, 
was before the war Attorney-General of Delaware and member of the Legisla- 
ture. He wrote the noted address to George III., and was a leading member 
of Congress. He was a delegate to the Annapolis Convention of 1786, and 
to the Federal Constitutional Convention of the following year. From 
1789 to 1793 he was U. S. Senator from Delaware, and Chief Justice of the 
State from 1793 until his death. (Life by Read.) 

Read, John Meredith (i 797-1 S74), was a U. S. District Attorney from 
1837 to^ 1844. He was Judge of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from i860 
to 1872. His legal opinions had a wide reputation. 

Read, Thomas (i 740-1 788), was the first to obtain the rank of commo- 
dore in the American navy. He rendered valuable assistance at the battle 
of Trenton. He commanded the frigate " George Washington." 




CONFEDERATE STATESMEN. 



Robert Toombs. 

Judah P. Benjamin. 



Jefferson Davis. 
Alexander H. Stephens. 



Dictionary of United States History. 545 

Read, Thomas Buchanan (1822-1872), poet and artist, was born in 
Pennsylvania. Among his poems " Sheridan's Ride " is the most popular, and 
one of his chief artistic productions was a painting illustrating that poem. 

Readjusters, a political faction formed from the Democratic party of 
"Virginia in 1878. Its formation was due to a bill wdiich passed the State 
Legislature in March of that year for refunding the State debt. The party 
was led by William Mahone and was violently opposed to the payment of 
the debt. In 1879 and 1881, by a fusion with the Republicans they gained 
control of the State government, and sent William Mahone to the United 
States Senate. 

Reagan, John H., born in 1818, was a member of the Texas Legislature 
from 1S47 '^o 1S49. He represented Texas in the U. S. Congress as a Demo- 
crat from 1857 to 1S61. He was Postmaster-General of the Confederacy 
from 1861 to 1865. He again served in the U. S. Congress from 1875 to 
1887, and was a Senator from 1887 to 1891. 

Rear-Admiral. This rank was created by Act of Congress in 1862, along 
with that of commodore, it being at the time the highest naval grade. 
Those of admiral and vice-admiral, outranking it, were created several years 
later. 

Rebellion. (See Civil War.) 

Reciprocity. A reciprocity agreement between the United States and 
Canada was concluded in 1854, and terminated in 1866. A similar one was 
made with Hawaii in 1875. Various others, of an equally special sort, were 
from time to time made by the United States. The matter was brought 
into a new phase by the tariff act of 1890 (McKinley Act), which provided 
that the duties on sugar, molasses, coffee, tea and hides, which had been 
removed, might be reimposed by the President in case of any countries 
which levied what he thought unjust or unreasonable duties on the agricul- 
tural products of the United States. With this resource in hand, the Presi- 
dent entered on negotiations which resulted in the conclusion of reciprocity 
treaties with Brazil, Spain (for Cuba and Porto Rico), and San Domingo 
(1891), and Salvador, Germany, Great Britain (for the West Indies), Nica- 
ragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Austria-Hungary (1892). 

Reconstruction. One of the leading problems remaining after the Civil 
War was how to reconstruct the governments of the States which had 
seceded. Mr. Lincoln had proceeded upon the theory that nothing more 
was necessary than that a sufficient number of the citizens should form a 
State Government, of which the officials were loyally desirous of maintain- 
ing constitutional relations with the Government of the Union. The sepa- 
ration of West Virginia from Virginia had been accomplished by^ a Virginian 
Legislature so constituted. President Johnson proceeded upon the same 
theor}'. In Congress other theories were broached, some even going so far 
as to hold that the seceding States had ceased to exist as States, and consti- 
tuted a territory respecting which Congress was at liberty to make such 
arrangements as it chose. The view generally upheld by Congress was that 
the Southern States could be re-admitted only on such terms as Congress 

35 



546 Dictionary of United States History. 

should impose. Its maintenance of this view was largely owing to its 
belief that the substantial results of the war in respect to the enfranchise- 
ment and civil rights of the negro could not be secured in any other way, 
because of the reluctance of some Southern Legislatures to accept these 
results. Before Congress met in December, 1865, Johnson had recognized 
provisional governments in all the Southern States but one, on their accept- 
ing the Thirteenth Amendment. But Congress proposed the Fourteenth 
Amendment, and insisted on its acceptance as a pre-requisite to re- admission 
of any State. In 1867 it passed the Reconstruction Act, which divided the 
South into five military districts, under the command of generals of the 
army, who were to effect a registration of voters, including negroes, and 
excluding those disqualified by the Fourteenth Amendment. These voters 
should elect a convention, which should make a constitution, ratified by 
them. It should then be submitted to Congress, and if it was acceptable to 
Congress, the State should be reinstated whenever its Legislature had ratified 
the Fourteenth Amendment. The result was the notorious black or " carpet- 
bag" governments. Under this act Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana 
and the Carolinas were re-admitted. Tennessee had already been re-admitted 
by Congress in 1866. Georgia, Mississippi, Texas and Virginia were 
required also to ratify the Fifteenth Amendment, and were not re-admitted 
until 1870. In 1868 the Supreme Court, in the case of Texas vs. White, 
sustained the Congressional, as over against the Presidential, theory of 
reconstruction. 

Record, Congressional, successor to the Congressional Globe. It contains 
a complete report of Congressional debates, proceedings and enactments from 
1872 down to the present time. 

Red Bank. (See Mifflin, Fort.) 

Red-Cross Society. The American (National) Association of the Red- 
Cross, for the relief of the wounded in war and of sufferers by floods and 
other similar catastrophes, was founded at Washington, May 21, 1881. 

Red-Jacket (1751-1830), chief of the Wolf tribe of the vSenecas, served 
with the Six Nations against the Americans during the Revolution. In the 
War of 1812 he assisted the United States. He made an eloquent speech 
against the treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1784. He lacked courage, and was an 
inverate opponent of Christianity, schools and missionaries, but was a 
sagacious statesman and an eloquent orator. 

Red Line Map, a map made by the Frenchman D'Anville in 1746. It 
had been sent to Vergennes, the French Minister, by Franklin in 1782, and 
was discovered among the Paris archives by Jared Sparks. A strong red 
line drawn near the ridge, in which the Kennebec and Penobscot River's 
rise, more than favored the English claims, respecting the northeast bound- 
ary of the United States. Sparks sent it to Webster, who was anxious lest 
the English should hear of it. It was used in a secret session of the Senate, 
and with the Maine commissioners to induce a ratification of the treaty, and 
was afterward made a ground of reproach against Webster by opponents of 
the treaty. 



Dictionary of United States History. 547 

Red Stone Old Fort, Pa., built as a store-house by the Ohio Company, 
was the scene of important movements during the French and Indian War. 
Here General Dinwiddie ordered the English forces to assemble until they 
could advance against the French (1754). The fort was burned by the 
French after the English defeat at Fort Necessity. During the Whisky 
Rebellion a committee of insurrectionists held a meeting here August 28, 
1794. 

Redemptioners, or indented servants. From the earliest settlement of 
the American colonies, particularly the middle colonies, indented servants 
fonned a large part of the population. Many came over from England 
under bond for their passage to serve a number of years. Many also were 
kidnapped and placed in enforced slavery for a term of years. They served 
four, five, or seven years, according to contract. At the end of these tenns 
they were released, awarded fifty acres of land and became free citizens. 
Hence the term " Redemptioners." This system was introduced in Virginia 
in 1607 with the first colony; in Massachusetts in 1631. It also existed in 
Marj'land, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The practice was 
not discontinued in the middle colonies until 1750. 

Redpath, James (1833-1891), came to America from Scotland in 1848. 
He was an ardent abolitionist. He founded the Haytian Bureau of Emi- 
gration. He assisted Jefferson Davis in preparing his " History of the 
Southern Confederacy," and engaged in the Irish Home Rule movement. 

Reed, John (i 781-1860) represented Massachusetts in the U. S. Congress 
as a Federalist from 1813 to 1817 and as a Whig from 1821 to 1841. He 
was Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts from 1844 to 1851. 

Reed, Joseph (1741-1785), was president of the Pennsylvania Convention 
of 1775. He became aide-de-camp, secretar)' and adjutant-general to Gen- 
eral Washington, and was active in organizing the business of headquarters. 
He served in the Long Island campaign and at Brandywine, Germantown 
and Monmouth. He was elected to Congress in 1777 and signed the Articles 
of Confederation in 1778. He was president of the Pennsylvania Executive 
Council from 1778 to 1781. He was an earnest opponent of slaver}' and of 
the proprietary system of government in Pennsylvania. He wrote " An 
Address to the People of Pennsylvania." Life by Reed. 

Reed, Thomas B., speaker, born in 1839, was a member of the Maine 
Legislature from 1868 to 1870, and State attorney-general from 1870 to 
1873. He was then elected to the U. S. Congress as a Republican, and has 
served by re-election to the present time (1894.) He was speaker from 1889 
to 1 89 1 and introduced changes in parliamentary practice giving greater 
powers to the speaker, especially in the matter of deciding upon the presence 
of a quorum. 

Reeder, Andrew H. (1807-1864), of Pennsylvania, was appointed Gov- 
ernor of Kansas in 1854, but was removed in 1855 for not exerting official 
influence against the Free-State movement. When chosen U. S. Senator 
under the Topeka constitution in 1856 he was not allowed his seat. 



548 Dictionary of United States History. 

Reformed Church (Reformed Dutch Church). This denomination origi- 
nated in Holland, and its first synod was held in Antwerp in 1563. Emi- 
grants from Holland brought its teachings to this country and a church was 
organized as early as 1619 in New Amsterdam. The denomination grew 
slowly, owing partly to persecutions from the English, but about 1737 felt 
strong enough to ask for a separate organization from the parent church in 
Holland. This was finally effected in 1772 through the agency of Dr. John 
H. Livingston, and in 1792 the new organization was completed. At that 
time there were 136 churches and fifty ministers. The constitution then 
adopted was revised in 1842, and again in 1874. The denomination in 1890 
numbered 310,000 communicants, living largely in the Middle States, and 
some parts of the West. 

Reformed Episcopal. This church separated from the Protestant Epis- 
copal in December, 1873, on the ground that the parent church was drifting 
from evangelism and the true principles of the church. The Rev. G. D. 
Cummins, D. D., assistant bishop of the diocese of Kentucky, was the leader 
of the movement. In 1890 this church had 8500 communicants. 

Reformed Presbyterians. In 1743 members of the Scottish church of 
this name, who were settled in the American colonies, organized and sub- 
scribed to the Old Scottish Covenant. In 1798 the first Presbytery was 
formed, and two years later it ordained that no slave-holder should be 
admitted to membership. In 1833 a schism took place on the church's atti- 
tude toward the State. The main body now ruled that its members should 
not act as American citizens nor in any way identify themselves with the 
political system of the United States. This position is still maintained. 
Number of members in 1890, 17,000. 

Refunding. On August 31, 1865, the debt of the United States consisted 
of $2,845,907,627, of which only $1,109,568,192 was funded debt. Partial 
enactments enabled the Secretary of the Treasury, by December, 1867, to 
convert floating debt, compound interest notes, 7-30's, and U. S. notes, 
into funded debt of the amount of nearly $700,000,000. The refunding act 
of 1870 authorized the issue of certain amounts of five per cent, four and one- 
half per cent, and four per cent bonds, to take the place of the existing 
bonds, mostly sixes. During the next ten years, this substitution had been 
carried on to an extent which lessened the annual interest charge by $20,000- 
000, (reducing it from $82,000,000 to $62,000,000). In 1881 the annual 
interest charge was reduced almost $20,000,000 again, by the Windom 
refunding scheme, which converted $460,000,000 of five and six per cent 
bonds into bonds bearing three and one-half per cent interest. 

Regicides. In July, 1660, there arrived at Cambridge, Mass., Edward 
Whalley and his son-in-law, William Goffe, two of the judges who had con- 
demned Charles I. For some months they appeared in public and joined in 
devotional meetings in Cambridge and Boston, where they were kindly 
received. Upon the news of the passage by Parliament of the Indemnity 
Act, marking Whalley and Goffe for vengeance as regicides, they fled to 
New Haven and were received and concealed by Davenport in the "Judges' 
Cave." They were concealed from pursuit at New Haven and Milford for 



Dictionary of United States History. 549 

nearly two years. After this they fled to a cave in New Hampshire, but 
were there discovered by some Indians, and returned to Hadley, Mass., 
where they were concealed until their death, Whalley dying in 1674, Goffe 
in 1679. When King Philip attacked Hadley in 1675, Goffe appeared and 
led the defence. Dixwell, another regicide, also escaped to New England. 

Register of Debates, a record of Congressional proceedings from Decem- 
ber, 1824, to October, 1837. It was published in twenty-nine volumes, and 
contains many valuable State papers and public documents, besides the de- 
bates and routine Congressional work. It is a continuation of the " Annals 
of Congress," and was succeeded by the Congressional Globe. 

Regulators, the name given to a body of insurgents in North Carolina 
just before the Revolution. Heavy taxes and fees aroused the resistance of 
the back-country people against Governor Tryon in 1766. The rebellion 
spread, but Tryon signally defeated the armed bands at Alamance, on the 
Haw, in 1771. His successor, Martin, compromised with the "Regulators."^ 

Raid, Samuel C. (1783-1861), commanded the privateer "General Arm- 
strong," and fought one of the most remarkable battles on record at Fayal 
in 181 4 with a British squadron. He designed the present form of the 
U. S. flag. 

Reid, Whitelaw, journalist, born in 1837, was one of the leading war 
correspondents during the Civil War. He became an editor of the New 
York Tribune in 1869, and its proprietor in 1872. He was Minister to 
France from 1889 to 1892. He wrote "After the War," a description of the 
South, and " Ohio in the War," which is a valuable historical work. In 
1892 he was the candidate of the Republicans for Vice-President, but was 
defeated, with Harrison. 

" Reindeer," sloop. (See " Wasp.") 

Relief Party, a political party existing in Kentucky between the years 
1820 and 1826. This party advocated the relief of delinquent debtors. 
They elected the Governor, and passed a bill to this end in 1824. The bill 
was deemed unconstitutional. The Anti-Relief party regained control in 
1826. 

Remington, Philo, of New York, born in 181 6, superintended the business 
of E. Remington and Sons, who produced the celebrated Remington rifles 
and developed the successful Remington type-writer. 

Removals. The Constitution of 1787 gave the President power to 
appoint officers with the consent of the Senate, but did not state whether the 
power of removal was also to be exercised under this restraint. Debate on 
this arose in 1789, and it was concluded to allow the power of removal to 
rest with the President alone. This remained the policy of the Government 
until the passage of the Tenure-of-Ofiice Act, (see Art.) in 1867. 

Reno, Jesse L. (1823-1862), general, served at Contreras, Churubusco, 
Chapultepec and Vera Cruz during the Mexican War. He commanded a 
brigade in Burnside's North Carolina expedition at Roanoke Island, Fort 
Barton and New Berne. He commanded a corps under General Pope at 



550 Dictionary of United States History. 

Manassas and at South Mountain, where he was killed while leading an 
assault. 

Rensselaerswyck, a Dutch colony of New York, established in 1630 by 
Kilian van Rensselaer, a pearl merchant and member of the Amsterdam 
Chamber. He purchased territory from the Indians, which is now comprised 
in Albany and Rensselaer counties, and established the first settlement near 
Fort Orange, the present site of Albany. This long remained an indepen- 
dent manor. (See Anti-Renters.) 

Representatives. (See House of Representatives.) 

Republican Party. The name of Republicans was, in the earlier history 
■of the Union, taken by the party formed by Jefferson, as distinguishing them 
from their Federalist opponents, stigmatized as monarchists. But this party 
has been treated in an article under the name of Democrats, by which they 
were also known. In 1S54 the name was revived, to be applied to a new 
party, at first characterized primarily by opposition to the extension of 
slavery to the territories. The compromise of 1850 had resulted in the dis- 
ruption and decay of the Whig party. There was a brief interval before 
parties could be re-formed upon the basis of the slavery question purely. 
The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act by the Democrats in 1854 caused 
a general coalition of Northern Free-Soilers, Whigs, Democrats, Know-Noth- 
ings and Abolitionists, united in opposition to- that measure and the conse- 
quent repeal of the Missouri Compromise. At first known as " Anti- 
Nebraska Men," the coalitionists took in that same year the name of 
Republicans. They at once won a plurality of Congress, and in 1856 held 
their first national convention at Philadelphia, which nominated Fremont 
and Dayton. Defeated then, in 1859 they again controlled the House. In 
i860 Democratic divisions enabled them to elect Lincoln. For the next 
fourteen years the party, reinforced for a time by "War Democrats," was 
supreme. It controlled the National Government, enlarged its powers by 
broad construction of the Constitution, carried on the war, abolished slavery, 
reconstructed the governments of the seceding States and controlled them, 
maintained the protective system and refunded the debt. It carried the 
election of Lincoln in 1864 and of Grant in 1868 and 1872. The Liberal 
Republican schism of 1872 indicated a reaction from the radical policy fol- 
lowed in regard to reconstruction, and was followed by extensive defeats in 
the "tidal wave" of 1S74, due partly to official corruption in high places. 
Yet the party managed, though barely, to carry the election of Hayes in 
1876, and elected Garfield in 1880. In 1884 the nomination of Blaine caused 
the " bolt " of the " mugwumps," and the election of a Democratic President. 
The party then became, more distinctly than in the years just preceding, the 
party of high protection. In 1888 it elected Harrison. Defeated in 1892, 
it was again successful in State elections in 1893. Its strength has always 
lain in the North. In addition to the principles already mentioned, it has 
of late advocated a more stirring foreign policy than that of the Democrats, 
and larger expenditures for pensions and other national objects. 

Republican Party, in Pennsylvania, a party existing under the first con- 
stitution, that of 1 776-1 790, which desired the substitution of a stronger 



Dictionary of United States History. 551 

government for that set up in 1776. They formed the germ of the Federal 
party in Pennsylvania. Their opponents were styled Constitutionalists. 

Repudiation. The Constitution provides that the States can make no 
laws which shall impair the obligation of contracts; yet the Eleventh 
Amendment provides that the jurisdiction of the National Supreme Court 
does not extend to suits brought against a State by a citizen of another 
State. Hence the States have been at liberty either to repudiate or to acknowl- 
edge debts. Repudiation has been adojjted at various times and in various 
degrees by Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, the Carolinas, 
Arkansas, Tennessee, Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia. The repudiation 
of the last mentioned State involved the largest sum, ($33,000,000), now par- 
tially liquidated. In some of the other States too, bills have been passed in 
the Legislature, since the repudiating acts, for refunding the debt. 

Requisitions upon the States were the only means of raising money 
which the Articles of Confederation left to the Continental Congress. This 
proved entirely inefifectual. From 1782 to 1786 Congress made calls 
amounting in the aggregate to more than $6,000,000, but only a million of 
this had been paid in by the end of March, 1787. 

Resaca de la Palma, Texas. On May 9, 1846, General Zachary Taylor 
utterly routed General Arista and drove him from this stronghold, to which 
the latter had retired after the battle of Palo Alto. The Mexican artillery, 
baggage, war material and Arista's private correspondence were captured. 
Captain May, of Taylor's dragoons, won the day by charging upon and 
silencing the Mexican guns. General Taylor's army numbered 2000 men; 
that of Arista 5000 men. 

Resaca, Ga. Here was fought. May 14 and 15, 1864, one of the first 
battles of Sherman's celebrated campaign through Georgia. Marching 
toward Atlanta with his main command, Sherman sent McPherson to seize 
Resaca and cut off Johnston's supplies by the railroad. McPherson failed 
to gain this point, and Johnston immediately availed himself of the oppor- 
tunity and posted his own army in this desirable position. Sherman turned 
back and marched against him. Sherman had 100,000 troops; Johnston 
about 55,000. May 14, Sherman was in position around Resaca on the north 
and west, and on that day there was continual skirmishing and artillery firing. 
Johnston refused to leave his entrenchments, and the Union leader would 
not attack them. Finally McPherson gained an elevated position, from 
which he could destroy the railroad bridge over the Oostenaula River. 
Johnston tried in vain to dislodge him. Meantime Hooker made a brilliant 
charge, and Sherman sent a detachment across the stream on pontoons to 
help destroy the bridge. Johnston, seeing his communications so seriously 
threatened, retreated on the night of the fifteenth. 

Resumption. (See Specie Resumption.) 

Returning Boards. Although in general it is a fixed principle in Ameri- 
can constitutional law that judicial functions belong solely to the judiciary' 
department, and the returning boards are allowed only ministerial functions, 



552 Dictionary of United States History. 

yet in Florida, South Carolina and Louisiana returning boards with judicial 
powers were constituted by the reconstructed State governments, by statute. 
This action, probably quite unconstitutional, led to the troubles of 1876, 
connected with the Presidential election. The returning boards used their 
judicial power to manipulate the returns to such a degree that the rights 
of the contest were practically indiscoverable. 

Revels, Hiram R., born in 1822, represented Mississippi in the U. S. 
Senate as a Republican from 1870 to 187 1, He was the first man of African 
descent to sit in the U. S. Senate. 

Revenue. In 1793 the revenue of the Federal Government was $4,600,- 
000; in 1813, $14,300,000; in 1833, $33,500,000; in 1853, $61,600,000. 
During the war it rapidly rose until it attained its maximum in 1866, $520,- 
000,000. Thence it declined, until in 1878 it was $257,400,000. During 
the ensuing decade it averaged about $340,000,000. In the fiscal year end- 
ing June 30, 1893, it was $461,700,000. In every year the largest item in 
these receipts has been customs revenue. In war times and since the Civil 
War, internal revenue (see art.) has been large. Sales of public lands have 
been a large source of revenue at times, especially just before the panics of 
1837 and 1857. 

Revenue Flag, instituted by act of Congress, March 2, 1799, to consist 
of *' sixteen perpendicular stripes, alternate red and white, the Union of the 
ensign bearing the arms of the United States in dark blue on a white field." 

Revenue Scheme, a scheme proposed by the Continental Congress, in 
order to enable it to meet its money obligations. Requisitions upon the 
States, the only mode allowed to Congress by the Articles of Confederation, 
had proved a failure. In 1781 Congress proposed an amendment to the 
Articles, whereby it would be empowered to levy a five per cent duty on 
imports, to pay the Revolutionary debt. Rhode Island refused her assent. 
In 1783 Congress asked for this power for only twenty-five years. After 
many delays. New York refused in 1787, making impossible that unanimous 
consent which was necessary in order to validate an amendment to the 
Articles. Then the only plan was that of a Constitutional Convention. 

Revere, Paul (1735-1818), was a copper plate engraver in Boston, Mass., 
and produced many caricatures illustrative of the pre-Revolutionary topics. 
He was one of the prime movers of the Boston tea party. On the night 
of April 18—19, ^775) ^^ apprised the citizens of Lexington and Concord of 
the intended expedition of the British. This is the subject of Longfellow's 
poem, "Paul Revere's Ride." In 1775 he printed the provincial paper 
money of Massachusetts, and erected a mill for the manufacture of gunpow- 
der. He engaged in the unsuccessful Penobscot expedition in 1779. 

Revolution and Revolutionary War. The Revolution, by which the 
thirteen American colonies separated themselves from Great Britain, had 
several causes. Increase of population in America would naturally cause a 
desire for independence, especially after the French had been driven out 
(1763). Just at this time the government of George III., imder Grenville, 
resolved to enforce more strictly the Navigation Act and other laws restricting 



Dictionary of United States History. 553, 

American trade in the interest of England, to station garrisons in America, 
and to pay a part of the expense by a stamp-tax. The Stamp Act aroused 
violent opposition, expressed through the Stamp-Act Congress of 1765. 
Taxation by Parliament without representation in Parliament was declared 
illegal and tyrannous. The British Government persisted in the principle, 
taxing various imports from 1767 to 1770, and tea thereafter. Boston Tea- 
party led Parliament to pass acts retaliating upon Boston and altering the 
charter of Massachusetts. The colonies, already brought into concert through 
their Committees of Correspondence, convened in Continental Congress at 
Philadelphia in September, 1774. They published a declaration of rights, 
protested to king and Parliament, and engaged in an association, or non- 
importation agreement. In April, 1775, Gage, the British commander at 
Boston, encountered resistance at Lexington and Concord, and war began. 
A local army, though defeated at Bunker Hill, besieged Boston. A second 
Continental Congress organized a regular or Continental army, appointed 
Washington commander-in-chief, and pursued the war. Boston was captured, 
and the British troops under Howe retired to New York. Acting from this 
centre, they gained considerable successes over Washington. Meanwhile 
Congress issued its Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776), and provis- 
ionally governed the new republic, the United States of America. Under 
its advice, the colonies, now called States, made for themselves constitutions 
and organized new governments in place of the defunct royal governments. 
It also framed a new and more regular scheme of Federal government, called 
the Articles of Confederation; but unanimous consent to its adoption was 
not obtained until 1781. Congress had great difficulty in getting men and 
money. Many were disaffected or indifferent to the cause of revolution. 
The Continental paper money depreciated rapidly, and loans were hard to 
raise. In 1776 the war for the most part went against them. In 1777 
Howe occupied Philadelphia, their capital, defeating the Americans at 
Brandywine and Germantown. But this prevented him from co-operating 
with Burgoyne, who was marching down from Canada to New York in the 
effort to cut off New England from the rest of the Union. In October 
Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga. This success enabled the Americans to 
conclude, in February, 1778, a treaty of alliance with France, which brought 
them French aid in men and money. During the remainder of the war the 
efforts of the British commander, Clinton, were mainly directed against the 
southern end of the American line. Savannah was taken in 1778, Charles- 
ton in 1780, and Gates was badly defeated at Camden. The war in the 
South was managed with much severity, but successfully for the Americans 
after the appointment of Greene. Cornwallis, marching northward through 
the Carolinas, took up a position in Virginia, at Yorktown, where, in October, 
1781, he was compelled to surrender to a French-American anny which 
Washington had brought down from the North, the French fleet assisting. 
This virtually ended the war. England was obliged to consent to American 
independence. Preliminaries having been arranged in 1782, peace was 
made on these terms at Paris in 1783, the United States being conceded a 
territory extending from Canada to Florida and westward to the Mississippi. 
Histories bv Bancroft and Fiske. 



554 Dictionary op United States History. 

Reynolds, John F. (1820-1863), was brevetted major for gallantry at 
Monterey and Buena Vista during the Mexican War. He commanded a 
Pennsylvania brigade in the Peninsular campaign at Gaines' Mill and Glen- 
dale, and led a division at the second battle of Bull Run. In 1862 he com- 
manded the Pennsylvania militia for the defence of the State. He was 
promoted major-general and commanded the First Corps at Fredericksburg. 
He led the left wing at the beginning of the battle of Gettysburg, where he 
was killed. 

Reynolds, Joseph J., born in 1822, was brevetted major-general for ser- 
vices during the Civil War. He fought at Chickamauga, was chief-of-stafif 
at Chattanooga and commanded the Department of Arkansas from 1864 to 
1866. 

Rhea Letter. On January 6, 181 8, Andrew Jackson, then department 
connnander in the Southwest, wrote to President Monroe regarding the 
Seminole troubles in Florida and advising the prompt seizure of East 
Florida, which he declared could be done " without implicating the Govern- 
ment." .He offered to accomplish the seizure himself within sixty days, if 
it should be indicated to him that it were desirable. John Rhea, a Con- 
gressman from Tennessee, was the secret channel through which he hoped 
Monroe's assent might be signified. It was not. In 1831, during Jackson's 
administration, in the height of his quarrel with Calhoun, which turned in 
part upon the Seminole affair, Rhea wrote to Monroe, hoping to elicit from 
him something that would implicate him as approving Jackson's plan. 
Monroe, on his death-bed in New York, denounced Rhea's insinuations as 
utterly false. 

Rhett, Robert B. (i 800-1 876), represented South Carolina in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1837 to 1849, and in the U. S. Senate from 
1S51 to 1852. He was a radical States'-rights secessionist. 

Rhind, Alexander C, bom in 1821, commanded the "Crusader" in 1861. 
He was prominent in the attacks on Charleston in 1863, and fought at Fort 
Wagner and Fort Fisher. He was commissioned rear admiral and retired 
in 1883. 

Rhode Island was one of the original thirteen States. Its dual origin is 
indicated by its official title, " The State of Rhode Island and Providence 
Plantations," and by its two capitals. Providence and Newport. Roger Wil- 
liams, the patron saint of the State, was banished from Massachusetts Bay 
Colony because of his attacks on the theocratic government of that colony. 
He advocated complete separation of church and State, and entire toleration 
for all creeds. He founded Providence in 1636. Two years later the Anti- 
nomians or followers of Anne Hutchinson founded Portsmouth, and in 1639 
Newport was settled. March 14, 1644, a charter was granted by which these 
settlements were united in one colony with a popular government. This 
charter was revoked, and in 1663 a new one was granted, which continued 
to be the fundamental law until 1842. This gave the entire power of govern- 
ment to the people. Rhode Island applied for admission to the New England 
Confederation, but her application was denied. In 1742, the western bound- 
ary line was finally settled with Connecticut; but not until 1862 was the 



Dictionary of United States History. 555 

eastern boundary with Massachusetts determined. Brown University was 
founded in 1764. The devotion of the colony to the American cause was 
shown in 1772, by the affair of the Gaspe. Rhode Island was not represented 
in the convention of 1787, and did not ratify the Constitution until May 29, 
1790. This delay was due to the desire of the agricultural classes to retain 
the power to levy import taxes and to make paper money a legal tender. 
In presidential elections, save in 1804, the State was Federal until 1816, 
when the electoral votes were cast for Monroe. From 1824 to 1850, the 
State was Whig, with the exception of the year 1836. An unjust appor- 
tionment of representatives and a property qualification for voting led to 
Dorr's rebellion in 1842, when a new constitution was adopted which 
widened the suffrage, but the property restriction was not entirely removed 
until ( 1 886-1 888) the adoption of the Bourn amendment which retained 
the property qualification for election to city councils only. From 1856 
until the present time (1894) the State has been Republican in Presidential 
elections. The Democrats elected the Governor in 1887, 1889, 1890 and 
1891. The extension of the suffrage has strengthened the Democratic party. 
From 1886 to 1889 there was a prohibitory amendment against intoxicants. 
In 1893 ^^ amendment to the constitution provided for plurality elections. 
The population of Rhode Island, which in 1790 was 68,825, in 1890 was 
345,506. History by Arnold. 

Rhode Island, Battle of, August 29, 1778. Newport, R. I., had been 
seized and garrisoned by the British with 6000 men under Pigott. Sullivan 
and Lafayette on land and Count d'Estaing on sea concerted an attack. 
Butts' Hill on Rhode Island was seized by Sullivan. Estaing was forced to 
meet Howe and the English fleet, but a terrible storm averted battle, and 
Estaing retired to Boston to refit. Pigott attempted to carry Butts' Hill, 
August 29. The British met with a bloody repulse. The Americans, how- 
ever, were obliged to evacuate by the arrival of Clinton with 5000 reinforce- 
ments. 

" Rhode Island Gazette, ' established at Newport, September 27, 1732, 
by James Franklin, was the first newspaper of Rhode Island. Publication 
was suspended in May, 1733. 

Rhode Island Historical Society was founded in 1822, and has published 
•eight volumes of collections and begun the issue of a quarterly. 

Riall, Sir Phineas (1769-1851), came to America as a British major-gen- 
eral in 1813. He commanded at Chippewa and lyUndy's Lane in 1814. He 
was brave and energetic, but unskillful in militar>' operations. 

Ribaut, Jean (1520-1565), a Huguenot, sailed from France on a colonizing 
expedition in 1562. After exploring the Florida coast, he planted a colony 
at Port Roval, called Fort Charles, which was unsuccessful. In 1565 he was 
appointed Governor of this colony. He was driven off by a Spanish fleet, 
and when he surrendered later to Menendez, the entire party was massacred. 

Rice. The production of rice was begun in 1695 in South Carolina, when 
the captain of a brigantine from Madagascar, which touched at Sullivan's 
Island, presented one of the colonists with a small bag of the vegetable. Its 



556 Dictionary of United States History. 

cultivation spread rapidly through the South and has long been one of the 
chief sources of revenue. In 1870, 72,635,021 pounds were produced in the 
United States, South Carolina leading with 32,304,825 pounds. This was a 
marked decrease from the production previous to the Civil War. (In 1850, 
215,313,497 pounds.) The culture at present is much less successful than 
in former years. 

Rice, Alexander H., born in 1818, represented Massachusetts in the U. S. 
Congress as a Republican from 1859 to 1867. ' He served on the naval com- 
mittee. He was Governor of Massachusetts from 1876 toi879. Died 1895. 

Rich Mountain, W. Va., occupied by Colonel Pegram, with a regiment 
of Confederates and six guns of General Garnet's command. July 11, 1861, 
McClellan ordered Rosecrans to attack this position. Climbing the mountain 
during a heavy storm, Rosecrans, with 1900 men, forced Pegram to retire 
after a fierce fight. Pegram and his entire force were captured the next day 
by McClellan. 

Richardson, Henry H. (i 838-1886), was the architect of Trinity Church, 
Boston, and many other noble structures. His architecture is noticeable for 
harmony and massiveness rather than for elaborate details. He was recog- 
nized as the leader of the new school of American architects. 

Richardson, Israel B. (1815-1862), of Vermont, was brevetted major for 
services at Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec. He led a brigade at 
Bull Run, and commanded a division at Chickahominy, South Mountain 
and Antietam, where he was mortally wounded. 

Richardson, William A., of Massachusetts, born in 1821, was Secretary 
of the U. S. Treasury in Grant's Cabinet from 1873 to 1874. He was a 
Justice of the U. S. Court of Claims from 1874 to 1885, when he became 
Chief Justice. Died 1896. 

Richmond, Dean (1804-1866), gained an enviable reputation for his 
upright dealings in business. He was a leader of the Democratic party in 
New York. He secured the consolidation of the New York Central Rail- 
road. 

Richmond, Ky. Here, August 29-30, 1862, 16,000 Federals under Mason 
and Cruft were utterly routed by about an equal number of Confederates, 
led by Kirby Smith. August 29 a smart skirmish occurred, in which Mason 
had a slight advantage. The next day he encountered Smith's entire force 
and was wholly defeated, Cruft and himself escaping by flight. The Union 
loss was very heavy. 

Richmond, Va., was founded in 1742 and made the capital of the State 
in 1779. In 1781 it was burned by Arnold. Richmond was the seat of 
government of the Confederate States during the Civil War. In April, 
1865, on the capture of Petersburg by General Grant, it was evacuated and 
fired by the Confederate troops. The conflagration lasted for over twenty- 
four hours. 

Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, Virginia, attacked by General Smith, 
May 6 and 7, 1864,- with about 20,000 men of Butler's Army of the James 



Dictionary of United States History. 557 

during the occupation of Bermuda Hundred by that general. Smith com- 
menced to destroy the railroad at Walthall Junction, but D. H. Hill came 
up with a strong Confederate force. Smith stopped and gave battle to the 
Confederates. Hill was driven away after some sharp fighting. Then 
Smith continued his destruction of the road, tearing it up for several miles. 
He was suddenly recalled by Butler, May 7, the latter having heard that L,ee 
was advancing in full force. 

" Richmond Enquirer." This newspaper was established at Richmond 
in 1804 by T. Ritchie. It continued for many years, and exercised great 
influence in the politics of Virginia. 

Ricketts, James B. (1817-1887), of New York, served during the Mex- 
ican War. He commanded a Federal battery at Alexandria and Bull Run, 
led a division at Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, in the Richmond 
campaign, and at Cedar Creek. 

Riders, objectionable party measures, likely to be vetoed on their own 
merits, which are added to important bills to secure their passage. The 
first use of the rider, of national importance, was the joining in 1820 of the 
bill for the admission of Maine to that permitting slavery in Missouri, so as to 
compel the acceptance of both or neither. These were afterward separated. 
The Army Appropriation Bill of 1856 had a rider attached prohibiting the 
employment of Federal troops for the enforcement of territorial law in 
Kansas. The President signed this measure, but protested against the 
rider. In 1879 the Democrats in Congress attempted by riders on appropria- 
tion bills to bring to an end the Federal interference in Southern politics. 
President Hayes, by firm use of the veto, dealt a severe blow at this objec- 
tionable practice. State Constitutions have frequently prevented it by 
allowing the Governor to veto separate items in appropriation bills. 

Riding, a division of the provinces held by James, Duke of York, insti- 
tuted by the " Duke's Laws." The riding was borrowed from Yorkshire, 
England. 

Ridpath, John C, of Indiana, born in 1840, is author of a " Popular His- 
tory of the United States," a " Monograph on Alexander Hamilton," " Life 
and Work of Garfield," " Life of James G. Blaine," " History of Texas," 
and a " Cyclopaedia of Universal Histor)'." 

Riedesel, Baron Friedrich A. (i 738-1800), major-general, came to 
America in 1776 in command of 4000 troops from Brunswick employed by 
the British. He served in Burgoyne's expedition in 1777, and fought at 
Ticonderoga, Hubbardton and Saratoga. Captured there, he was afterward 
exchanged. He was placed in command of Long Island in 1780 and trans- 
ferred to Canada in 1781. He returned to Germany in 1783. He was a 
skillful general. 

Riedesel, Frederica C. L. (1746-1808), married Baron Riedesel in 1762, 
and came to America in 1777. She was with her husband in all his cam- 
paigns and captivity, ministered to the sick and wounded, and wrote interest- 
ing accounts of the Americans. 



558 Dictionary of United States History. 

Rigdon, Sidney (1793-1876), was one of the propagators of the doctrine 
of the Mormons, and was one of the presidents of the church. He refused 
to recognize Brigham Young as leader of the church, and was excommuni- 
cated. 

Rinehart, William H. (1825-1874), of Baltimore, one of the most promi- 
nent of American sculptors, produced, among his works of art, " Indian 
Girl," " The Woman of Samaria," " Love Reconciled with Death," " Clytie," 
and a statue of Chief-Justice Taney. 

Ringgold, Ga., an engagement of the Civil War, November 27, 1863, 
during Bragg's precipitate flight from the battle-field of Chattanooga. 
Hooker, commanding a Federal brigade, was in hot pursuit, when at Ring- 
gold, near a narrow mountain gap, he encountered a body of Confederates 
under Cleburne blocking his passage. These troops were immediately 
charged by Hooker, and the fight lasted all the afternoon. Hooker was 
defeated and driven back with great loss. 

Ripley, Eleazar W. (1782-1839), major-general, was a member of the 
Massachusetts Legislature from 1810 to 1812. He served in the attack on 
York (now Toronto), Canada, and commanded a brigade under General 
Brown on the Niagara frontier, fighting at Chippewa and Niagara. He 
was prominent in defence of Fort Erie. He represented Louisiana in the 
U. S. Congress as a Jackson Democrat from 1835 to 1839. 

Ripley, George (1802-1880), was the chief promoter of the Brook Farm 
experiment at Roxbury, Mass., from 1844 to 1846. He edited the Harbinger^ 
a Fourierite organ, from 1844 to 1848, and was assistant editor of "The 
American CyclopEedia." He was literary editor of the New York Tribune 
from 1847 to iSSo. He had an extensive literary knowledge, and was a 
severe critic. 

Rising, Johan C, born about 1600, came to America from Sweden in 1654. 
He captured Fort Casimir from the Dutch and became Governor of New 
Sweden, but was expelled by Governor Stuyvesant, of New Amsterdam, in 

1655- 

Ritchie, Thomas (1778— 1854), founded the Enquirer at Richmond, Va., in 
1804, and edited it until 1845. His paper was a powerful organ of the 
States'-Rights Democrats. He edited the Union from 1845 to 1849. 

Rittenhouse, David (1732-1796), a famous astronomer, was a member of 
the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety in 1776 and treasurer of Pennsylvania 
from 1777 to 1789. He was director of the U. S. mint from 1792 to 1795. 

River and Harbor Acts. President Polk vetoed a river and harbor bill 
in 1846 and Pierce another in 1854. From this time to 1870 appropriations 
for the improvement of rivers and harbors were inserted not infrequently in 
appropriation bills. Since 1870 they have been separate. From $2,000,000 
in 1870 the appropriations rose to $19,000,000 in 1882-83. Since then 
biennial appropriations have been the rule. That of 1891 was of $25,000,000. 

River Brethren, a religious denomination which came into existence about 
the close of the Revolution, named probably from their baptizing only in 



Dictionary of United States History. 559 

rivers, or perhaps because they originated near the Susquehanna River; 
akin in doctrine to the Mennonite Baptists. 

Rives, William C. (1793-1868), represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1823 to 1829. While Minister to France from 1829 to 
1832 he negotiated the Indemnity Treaty of 1831. He was a U. S. Senator 
from 1833 to 1834 and from 1836 to 1845, Minister to France from 1849 to 
1853, and a Confederate Congressman from 1861 to 1864. He wrote an 
elaborate life of Madison. 

Rivington, James (i724?-i8o2), came to America from England in 1760, 
and founded the Nczc York Gazetteer in 1773, which became very obnoxious 
to the patriots. He furnished Washington with valuable information on the 
British movements. 

" Rivington's New York Gazetteer," or, the Connecticut^ New Jersey^ 
Hudson'' s River and Quebec Weekly Advertiser. This newspaper was estab- 
lished in New York City April 22, 1773. It was distinctly royalist in its 
sympathies, its circulation extended exclusively among the Tories, and it 
was issued under the protection of the king's army. Rivington was obliged 
to suspend publication in 1775, but renewed in 1777 under the title Riving- 
toji's New York Loyal Gazette, afterward changed to Royal Gazette. The 
publication was finally suspended in 1783, when the British withdrew from 
New York. 

Roach, John (1815-1887), came to New York from Ireland in 1829. He 
established extensive ship-building works in Pennsylvania which built six 
monitors and many other vessels for the U. S. Government. 

Roanoke Colony. In 1584 Sir Walter Raleigh, having obtained a large 
grant of land from Queen Elizabeth, sent out, April 9, seven vessels and 
108 settlers under the command of Sir Richard Grenville. After skirting 
the West Indies and Hispaniola, they landed at Roanoke, in North Carolina, 
June 20. Ralph Lane was left in charge of the settlement and Grenville 
returned to England. During the following winter Lane made numerous 
exploring expeditions and suffered greatly from Indian attacks. In the 
spring he received some aid in men and supplies from Sir Francis Drake, 
but finally the settlers persuaded Drake to take them home. Soon after 
Grenville arrived with new settlers. These had been destroyed by the 
Indians when, in 1587, a new colony of Raleigh's, under White, came out. 
White himself returned to England. When he came back (1590) he found 
the colony vanished. It seems to have been destroyed by the savages, 
though there is a theory that descendants of the colonists are still to be 
found among North Carolina half-breeds. 



'0 



Roanoke Island, N. C, a valuable stronghold of the Confederacy, being 
the key to their defences south of Norfolk, and a protection for the landing 
of supplies in that city. It was defended by three earthworks : Pork Point, 
Weir's Point and Fort Blanchard, and commanded by General Wise. 
Against this place the National Government dispatched Eurnside and Golds- 
'oorough with thirty-one gunboats, fourteen transports and 11,500 troops. 



560 Dictionary of United States History. 

With great difficulty a landing was effected February 7, 1862, the Confed- 
erate fleet was dispersed and destroyed at Elizabeth City, N. C., the earth- 
works were demolished and 2500 Confederates made prisoners. 

Roanoke River, N. C, scene, on May 5, 1864, of a naval engagement 
between Captain Melancthon Smith, commanding the Federal double-enders 
" Sassacus," " jMattabesett," " Wyalusing " and " Miami " and some smaller 
vessels, and the Confederate ram "Albemarle," Captain Worley, and two 
gunboats. The Federal fleet was badly disabled, and the " Albemarle" too 
was damaged. After the battle she steamed up the river, and in October 
was destroyed by the Federal commander Cushing, a daring exploit. 

Roberts, Benjamin S. (1811-1875), was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for 
services in the Mexican War. He served as chief of cavalry under General 
Pope in 1862, and fought at Cedar Mountain and Bull Run. 

Roberts, Jonathan (1771-1854), represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from, 1811 to 1814. He earnestly supported the 
War of 1812. He was a U. S. Senator from 1814 to 1821. 

Robertson, George (1790— 1874), represented Kentucky in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 181 7 to 1821. He was Speaker of the Kentucky 
Legislature from 1823 to 1827, and Chief Justice of Kentucky from 1829 
to 1843. 

Robertson, James (17 10-1788), came to America in 1756 as major of 
British troops. He commanded a brigade at the battle of Long Island. He 
was appointed royal Governor of New York in 1779. 

Robertson, James (1742-1814), held the Cherokee Indians in check dur- 
ing the Revolution. He founded settlements on the Cumberland River in 
1779. He defeated the designs of the half-breed McGillivray (q. v.) for 
twelve years. 

Robertson, William (1721— 1793), Scottish historian, published eight 
books of a " History of America," dealing with the settlement and histor}' of 
the Spanish colonies. A "History of Virginia until 1688" was published 
from his manuscripts. 

Roberval, Jean F. de la R. (1500?-! 547), led a colonizing expedition to 
Canada from France in 1542. He was soon afterward recalled, and perished 
while conducting another expedition. 

Robeson, George M., born in 1827, was Secretary' of the Navy in Grant's 
Cabinet from 1869 to 1877. He represented New Jersey in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Republican from 1879 ^° i883- 

Robinson, Beverly (1723-1792), of New York, commanded the Loyalist 
American regiment during the Revolution. He was concerned in the trea- 
sonable negotiations of Arnold, and was prominent in the trial of Major 
Andre. His immense estate was confiscated. 

Robinson, Charles, born in 1818, had a prominent part in the early strug- 
gles of the Forty-niners in California. In 1856 he was elected Governor of 
Kansas by the Free-State party under the Topeka Constitution, and again 
under the Wyandotte Constitution in 1859. Died 1894. 



Dictionary of United States History. 561 

Robinson, Edward (1794-1863), was a careful student of Biblical litera- 
ture. ■ He made extensive researches in the Holy Land and published many 
works relating to Biblical literature, history and geography. 

Robinson, Ezekiel G. , born in 1815, was president of Brown University 
from 1872 to 1889. He has a high reputation as a teacher, preacher and 
orator. He made a careful translation of Neander's " History of the Plant- 
ing of the Church," and has written on philosophy and ethics. Died 1894. 

Robinson, George D., born in 1834, represented Massachusetts in the 
U. S. Congress as a Republican from 1877 to 1883. He was Governor of 
Massachusetts from 1883 to 1886. 'Died February 22, 1896. 

Robinson, John (1575 ?-i625), was suspended from the Church of Eng- 
land for nonconformity, and in 1608 fled to Holland. He ardently advo- 
cated the plan of emigrating to America and made arrangements with the 
Virginia Company for sending his congregation thither. In 1620 the Pil- 
grims sailed from Southampton, and Robinson took leave of them in a mem- 
orable sermon. He intended to follow them, but was prevented by illness 
before arrangements could be made. After his death many more of his fol- 
lowers came to America. He wrote " A Justification of Separation from the 
Church of England," and was a man of noble and tolerant spirit. 

Robinson, John C, born in 181 7, served in the Mexican War. He com- 
manded a brigade at Richmond and a division at Fredericksburg, Chancel- 
lorsville and Gettysburg, and fought at the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. 

Robinson, Lucius (1810-1891), joined the Republican party and was 
Comptroller of New York from 1861 to 1S65. He returned to the Demo- 
cratic party and was elected Governor in 1S76, serving till 1880. 

Robinson, William Erigena (1814-1892), came to America from Ireland 
in 1836. He was prominent as a correspondent of the New York Tribune^ 
under the name of " Richelieu." He represented New York in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1866 to 1868 and from 1880 to 1884. He 
secured the passage of a bill in 1868 asserting the rights of expatriation and 
naturalization. 

Rochambeau, Comte de [Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeure] C1725- 
1807), the principal French military' figure in the Revolutionary' War, aside 
from Lafayette, served in the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven 
Years' War. In 1780 he was sent to America in command of a considerable 
force, and fixed his headquarters at Newport. Having concerted his plans 
with Washington, he marched to the neighborhood of New York in the 
summer of 1781, effected a junction with his ally, and the two moved rapidly 
southward to Yorktown. Rochambeau conducted assaults on the town, and 
received a fair share of the credit for the feat. He returned to France in 
1783. Later he was a field marshal, but was inconspicuous in the French 
Revolution. 

Rochester, Nathaniel (1752-1831), served in North Carolina in the Revo- 
lution as commissary-general. He purchased large tracts near Rochester, 
N. Y., which was named for him. He served in the Legislatures of North 
Carolina, Maryland and New York. 

36 



562 Dictionary of United States History. 

Rockingham, Charles W. Wentworth, Marquis of (i 730-1 782), while 
Prime Minister of England from 1765 to 1766, secured the repeal of the 
Stamp Act. He became Premier again in 1782 and began the negotiation 
of the Treaty of Paris with the United States. 

Rockingham Convention, the first State party convention held in New 
Hamj^shire. August 5, 1812, a mass meeting of 1500 voters assembled at 
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, adopted a platform, nominated a full 
ticket, State, Electoral and Congressional, and joined in a vigorous address 
to President IMadison. 

Rocky Face Ridge, Ga. , a strong position from which Johnston, with an 
army of 55,000 Confederates during four days, May 5-9, 1864, opposed the 
advance of Sherman's army, 99,000 strong, on Atlanta. McPherson flanked 
the Confederate left and endeavored to carry Resaca, but without avail. He 
then fell back to Snake Creek Gap, and, on May 7, Shennan passed his 
troops through this defile, threatening Johnston's rear, while Howard's 
division menaced his front. Johnston, perceiving he was about to be 
hemmed in, fell back to Resaca to strengthen his position. 

Rocky Mountain, Battle of, July 30, 1780. Rocky Mountain, one of the 
strategic points of South Carolina, was seized by the British in 1780. On 
the above date Sumter, with a small force, made a spirited but unsuccessful 
attack upon the post. 

Rodgers, Christopher R. P. (1819-1892), commanded the "Wabash" at 
Port Royal. He was fleet captain at Fort Sumter in 1863. From 1863 to 
1866 he commanded the " Iroquois." He retired, a rear admiral, in 1881. 

Rodgers, John (1771-1838), a naval hero, served in 1799 in the war 
against France, and later in the Tripolitan War. He took command in the 
Mediterranean in 1805, and compelled Tripoli and Tunis to sign treaties. 
While in command of the " President" in 1811, Rodgers had an encounter 
with the British " Little Belt," an aflfair which increased the tension between 
the two nations. In the ensuing war he took many prizes; he was also 
present at the defence of Baltimore in 1814. After peace was restored he 
held for many years the ofllice of naval commissioner. 

Rodgers, John (1812-1882), rear-admiral, engaged in the Port-Royal expe- 
dition in 1861, and commanded the "Galena " in the battle of Drury's Bluff. 
In command of the monitor "Weehawken," he captured the Confederate 
iron-clad "Atlanta" in 1863. He commanded the "Dictator" from 1864 to 
1865. He was distinguished for his courage and superior ability. He was 
superintendent of the U. S. Naval Observatory from 1877 to 1882. 

Rodman, Thomas J. (181 5-1 871), invented the Rodman guns, which are 
cast about a hollow core through which a stream of cold water runs. He 
was an inspector of ordnance during the Civil War. 

Rodney, Caesar (1728-1784), was a delegate from Delaware to the Stamp 
Act Congress at New York in 1765. He was Speaker of the Delaware 
Assembly from 1769 to 1774, and of the Delaware popular Convention in 
1774. He was a member of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776, 



Dictionary of United States History. 563 

was a member of the committee to draft a statement of rights and griev- 
ances, and signed the Declaration of Independence. He served under Gen- 
eral Washington in the Delaware campaign from 1776 to 1777, and was 
president of Delaware from 1778 to 1782. 

Rodney, Caesar A. (1772-1824), represented Delaware in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1803 to 1805. He was Attorney-General in Jef- 
ferson's and Madison's Cabinets from 1807 to 181 1. As commissioner to 
South America in 181 7 he advocated the recognition of the Spanish-Ameri- 
can republics. He was a U. S. Congressman from 1821 to 1822 and a U. S. 
Senator from 1822 to 1823. He was appointed Minister to the Argentine 
provinces in 1823. 

Rodriguez's Canal (near New Orleans). Just before the battle of New 
Orleans, General Jackson had made this his line of defence against the British, 
who on January i, 1815, endeavored to storm the works. They were repulsed 
with heavy loss, abandoning five heavy cannon. 

Roe, Francis A., bom in 1823, commanded the " Pensacola " in passing 
Forts Jackson and St. Philip in Farragut's squadron. He commanded the 
" Katahdin " from 1862 to 1863. He commanded the " Sassacus," destroyed 
blockade runners and fought against the " Albemarle." 

Roebling, John A. (1806-1869), came to Pennsylvania from Germany in 
1831. He established a large wire manufactory in Trenton, N. J. He con- 
structed the Niagara and Cincinnati suspension bridges, and began the con- 
struction of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1869. 

Roebling, Washington A., boni in 1837, was a colonel in the Civil War, 
serving at South Mountain, Antietam and Bull Run. He succeeded his 
father in the construction of Brooklyn Bridge, which was completed in 
1883. 

Rogerenes, a sect of Seventh-Day Baptists, followers of Jonathan Rogers, 
of New London, Conn. The sect originated about 1675. Beside keeping 
the Saturday as the holy day, they opposed the use of medicines and family 
prayers. 

Rogers, John, of New York, born in 1829, came into prominence as a 
sculptor in i860 for his group, " The Slave Auction." He has gained great 
celebrity for his statuettes illustrating war subjects and rural life. 

Rogers, Robert (1727-1800), commanded " Rogers' Rangers " during the 
French War. In 1759 he destroyed the Indian village at St. Francis. 
In 1765 he was appointed Governor of Mackinaw, Mich., by the crown. 
He was paroled by Congress at the outbreak of the Revolution. He raised 
" The Queen's Rangers," a corps which was distinguished during the war. 
In 1777 he went to England, and in 1778 was banished from America. 

Rogersville, Tenn., a brief fight, November 6, 1863, between detachments 
of Burnside's Federal troops and some Confederates from Longstreet's com- 
mand. This took place during Longstreet's pursuit of Burnside toward 
Knoxville. 

Roman Catholic. (See Catholic.) 



564 , Dictionary of United States History. 

Romero, Matias, born in 1837, was Mexican charge d' affaires at Wash- 
ington from i860 to 1863, when complicated diplomatic questions were at 
issue. He was Minister to the United States from 1863 to 1868, and from 
1882 to the present time (1894.) 

Romney, W. Va. October 25, 1861, Colonel Kelly, who was then guarding 
the Allegheny section of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, surprised a Con- 
federate battalion. Sixty prisoners were taken besides all the camp equi- 
page, provisions and munitions. Colonel Wallace, of Indiana, also, June, 
1861, routed a Confederate force from Romney. 

Roorback, a general term for political forger^', originating in the publica- 
tion for political purposes of alleged extracts from the " Travels of Baron 
Roorback," in 1844. 

Roosevelt, Robert B., born in 1829, edited the New York Citizen from 
1868. He represented New York in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 
1 87 1 to 1873, and was Minister to the Netherlands from 1888 to 1889. 

Roosevelt, Theodore, born in 1858, was a Republican member of the 
New York Assembly from 1880 to 1884. He was an ardent advocate of 
political reform, and succeeded in abolishing many political abuses. He is 
author of a "History of the Naval War of 1812," of lives of Benton and 
Gouverneur Morris in the American Statesmen Series, and of " The Winning 
of the West." Since 1889 he has been a member of the U. S. Civil Service 
Commission. 

Root, George Frederick, born in 1820, has composed many songs of 
national popularity, including " Battle Cry of Freedom," "Just Before the 
Battle, Mother," " Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching," and " There's 
Music in the Air." Died 1895. 

Ropes, John C, born in St. Petersburg in 1836, has contributed to the 
publications of the Military Historical Society of Massachusetts. He has 
written, " The Army under Pope," in " Campaigns of the Civil War," a book 
on Napoleon, and one on the Waterloo campaign. 

Rosa Americana, a coinage issued in 1722 by Great Britain for America, 
of a mixed metal resembling brass, and called Rosa Americana or Wood's 
money, after its manufacturer William Wood. The royal letters patent 
described this money as two-pence, pence and half-pence. The obverse was 
stamped with a laureated head of George the First; the reverse with a double 
rose from which projected five barbed points. Legend: Rosa Americana, 
1722 above, and below. Utile Dulci. 

Rose, George (1744-1S18), was British Minister to the United States 
from 1807 to 1808, to negotiate concerning the Chesapeake affair. As he 
made demands which the United States would not concede the embassy 
resulted only in delay. 

Rose, Sir John (1820-1888), came to Canada from Scotland in 1836. He 
was British Commissioner to the United States in 1864 and 1869. In 1870, 
as confidential agent he made preliminary negotiations toward the Treaty of 
Washington. 



Dictionary of United States History. 565 

Rosecrans, William Starke, born in 1819, an American general, was 
graduated at West Point in 1842. Previous to the war he was a professor at 
the academy, an engineer and a financier. Being appointed colonel of Ohio 
volunteers in 1861, he served in West Virginia, and won the battle of Rich 
Mountain, July, 1861. He next succeeded McClellan in the Department of 
the Ohio, and gained the victory of Carnifex Ferry in September. Appointed 
commander of the Army of the Mississippi, he conquered at luka, Septem- 
ber, 1862, at Corinth, October, and succeeded Buell as commander of the 
Army of the Cumberland. He fought the great battle of Murfreesboro', 
showed skillful strategy in the next months, and was defeated at Chicka- 
mauga. After this Rosecrans was superseded, sent to the West, and put on 
waiting orders. He resigned in 1867. He was Minister to Mexico, 1868- 
1869, Democratic Congressman from California, 1881-1885, and Register of 
the U. S. Treasury from 1885 to 1893. 

Rosewell, a famous old Virginia homestead on Carter's Creek, near the 
York River. It was begun in the seventeenth century by Mann Page, and 
finished by his son and widow. 

Ross, George (1730-1779), was a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly 
from 1768 to 1770. He was appointed to prepare the Pennsylvania declara- 
tion of rights. He served in the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1777, 
and signed the Declaration of Independence. He was active in reorganizing 
the government of Pennsylvania, and in urging aggressive measures against 
British oppression. He was appointed judge of admiralty in 1779. 

Ross, John (i 790-1 866), chief of the Cherokee Indians, successfully 
resisted the encroachments of the Georgia Legislature upon the Cherokee 
land titles in 1829. He opposed the treaty of New Echota in 1835, but was 
compelled by the United States to remove to a reservation. 

Ross, Robert (i770?-i8i4), came to America in 1814 in command of a 
force of British soldiers. He defeated the Americans at Bladensburg, burned 
the capitol and other public buildings at Washington, and was killed at 
North Point. 

Rosser, Thomas L., born in 1836, attained the rank of major-general in 
the Confederate service. He commanded the Virginia cavalry under Gen- 
eral Early in 1863, fighting at Cedar Creek. 

Rouarie, Armand T. (1756-1793), came to the United States from France 
in 1777. He served with Lafayette in New Jersey and under General Gates 
against Cornwallis. He fought at Warren Tavern, Camden and Yorktown. 

Rough and Ready, a nickname of President Zachary Taylor, earned dur- 
ing his Mexican campaigns. 

Roumania. The United States concluded a consular convention with. 
Roumania in 1881. 

Rousseau, Lovell H. (1818-1869), was a member of the Indiana Legis- 
lature in 1844 and 1845. He distinguished himself at the battle of Buena 
Vista in the Mexican War. He led a britrade at the battle of Shiloh and 



566 Dictionary of United States History. 

fought at Perryville. He commanded a division of the army of the Cum- 
berland at Stone River, Chattanooga and Chickamauga. He represented 
Kentucky in the U. S. Congress as a Republican from 1865 to 1867. He was 
sent to receive Alaska from the Russian Government and assume control 
of the territory in 1867. 

Rowan, Stephen C. (1808-1890), vice-admiral, came to America from 
Ireland. He entered the U. S. navy in 1826. He assisted in the capture of 
Monterey and San Diego in 1846 during the Mexican War, and commanded 
a naval brigade under Commodore Stockton at San Gabriel and La Mesa. 
In the Civil War he commanded the " Pawnee " at Acquia Creek and Hat- 
teras. He commanded the fleet in the attack on Roanoke Island in 1862, 
fought at New Berne and captured Fort Macon. He commanded " The 
New Ironsides" off Charleston from 1862 to 1864. He became super- 
intendent of the Naval Observatory in 1882. 

Royal African Company, an English slave-trading corporation organized 
about 1720 for the especial purpose of transporting slaves to the colonies. 
In the Carolinas special care was enjoined upon the Government to encourage 

this trade. 

Roger, Thomas H., born in 1833, commanded a brigade in the Rappa- 
hannock campaign and a division at Gettysburg. He commanded a division 
against General Hood in 1864 and led a division in North Carolina in 1865. 
He became a brigadier-general in 1886. 

Ruggles, Benjamin (1783-1857), represented Ohio in the U. S. Senate as 
a Democrat from 1S15 to 1833. He was called the " wheel-horse of the 
Senate " on account of his industrious habits. 

Ruggles, Timothy (1711-1795), served in the Massachusetts General 
Court twenty-three years between 1739 and 1770. He commanded a regi- 
ment at Crown Point in 1755, was second in command at Lake George, and 
led a brigade in General Amherst's Canadian expedition. When a delegate 
to the Stamp-Act Congress in New York in 1765, and its president, he 
refused to sign the addresses and petitions. He espoused the British cause 
during the Revolution. 

Rule of 1756, a rule of international law laid down by the English Courts 
in the War of 1756, to the effect that where a European country has for- 
bidden trade with its colonies in times of peace, it shall not open it to 
neutrals in time of war. In 1793 the English Prize Courts enforced this 
doctrine against American neutral carriers, the U. S. Government pro- 
testing. 

" Rum, Romanism and Rebellion." At a meeting of clerg}% in which all 
■denominations were supposed to be represented, held in the Fifth Avenue 
Hotel, New York, during the Presidential campaign of 1884 in the interest 
of the Republicans, Rev. R. B. Burchard described the Democrats as the 
party of "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion." This remark was unfortunate 
for the Republicans, and aided in a great measure to win the election for the 
Democrats. 



Dictionary of United States History. 567 

Rumford, Benjamin Thompson, Count (1753-1814), of Massachusetts, 
sympathized with the pre-Revolutioiiary movements, but the jealousy of his 
fellow-officers in the New Hampshire regiments alienated his patriotism. 
He carried dispatches from Howe to England in 1776. He raised the 
^'King's American Dragoons" in New York in 1781 and was appointed 
lieutenant-colonel. He went to England in 1783. He entered the service 
■of the Elector of Bavaria, acquired great influence, and was made prime 
minister and a count in 1790. He contributed valuable observations and 
discoveries to science, particularly on the nature and effects of heat and in 
■chemistry, of which he was one of the founders. 

Rumsey, James (1743-1792), of Maryland, invented a steamboat in 1786, 
but died in England before he could perfect his invention. 

Rush, Benjamin (1745-1813), was prominent in the pre-Revolution- 
ary movements. H'e was chairman of the committee of the Pennsylvania 
Conference which decided for independence. He was a member of the Con- 
tinental Congress in 1776 and signed the Declaration of Independence. He 
was physician-general of the Middle Department from 1777 to 1778, and was 
a member of the Pennsylvania Convention of 1787. He was treasurer of 
the U. S. Mint from 1799 to 1813. His observations and discoveries in 
medical science were second to none, and he was noted for philanthropy. 

Rush, Richard (1780— 1859), was Attorney-General of Pennsylvania in 
1811, Attorney-General of the United States in Madison's Cabinet from 
1 814 to 181 7, temporary Secretary of State in 181 7, Minister to England 
from 1817 to 1825, and Secretary of the Treasury in J. Q. Adams' Cabinet 
from 1825 to 1829. H^ ^v'^s candidate for Vice-President of the United 
States on the ticket with Adams in 1828. He was Minister to France from 
1847 to 1 85 1. He published " Memorials of a Residence at the Court of 
St. James." 

Rusk, Jeremiah M. (1830-1893), entered the National army in 1862, and 
served under General vSherman with the rank of lieutenant-colonel from the 
siege of Vicksburg till 1865. He represented Wisconsin in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Republican from 1871 to 1877, and was Governor of Wisconsin 
from 1882 to 1888. He was Secretary of Agriculture in Harrison's Cabinet 
from 1889 to 1893. 

Rusk, Thomas J. (1802-1856), was active in the struggle of Texas for 
independence. He represented Texas in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat 
from 1846 to 1856. 

Russell, Benjamin (1761-1845), of Massachusetts, founded the Cohnnbiatt 
Ccntinel, a Federalist organ of great influence, which he edited till 1828. 
He published the Boston Gazette from 1795 to 1830. He originated the 
phrase " era of good feeling," and the word " gerrymander." 

Russell, W^illiam E., was born in 1857. He was mayor of Cambridge, 
Mass., from 1885 to 1889. He was Governor of Massachusetts from 1890 to 
1893. He advocated tariff" and industrial reforms, and was a prominent 
leader of the young democracy. Died July 16, 1896. 



568 Dictionary of United States History. 

Russia. Russia has always been particularly friendly to the United States, 
recognizing its independence immediately upon the settlement of peace with 
Great Britain in 1783. By the Treaty of 1824 the navigation and fisheries 
of the Pacific were regulated, and a favorable commercial treaty was secured 
in 1832 by the United States. A convention relative to neutral rights at sea 
was concluded in 1854. By the Treaty of 1867 Russia ceded all its Ameri- 
can possessions to the United States for $7,200,000. An extradition treaty 
long pending went into effect June 24, 1893. 

Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J., was established by royal charter 
in 1770 under the name of Queen's College. It received its present name in 
1825 in honor of a gift of $5000 from Colonel Henry Rutgers. Till 1865 it 
was controlled by the synod of the Protestant Reformed Church, which 
church must still furnish its president and three-fourths of its trustees. 
During the Revolution its exercises were suspended, and till 1863 the college 
suffered from financial embarrassments. Since then it has greatly increased 
in endowment and influence. 

Rutgers vs. Waddington, a case tried before Mayor James Duane, of 
New York, in 1784. Under the provisions of the " Trespass Act," passed 
some time before by the New York State lyCgislature, Elizabeth Rutgers had 
sued Joshua Waddington, a wealthy Tory merchant, for unlawful trespass 
upon and possession of certain real estate. Alexander Hamilton appeared 
for the defendant. It was alleged that the Trespass Act was contrary to the 
provisions of the Treaty of 1783, by which protection was promised the 
Tories, and likewise violated principles of the law of nations. The court, 
however, refused to assume jurisdiction over acts of Assembly, to set them 
aside on any ground. It gave the case to the defendant by an equitable in- 
terpretation of the statute itself. 

Rutledge, Edward (1749-1800), was a delegate from South Carolina to 
the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1777. He signed the Declaration of 
Independence. He was a member of the first Board of War in 1776, and a 
member of the committee to draw up Articles of Confederation. He was a 
commissioner to confer with Lord Howe in 1776. He commanded a com- 
pany of artillery during the siege of Charleston. He was a member of the 
South Carolina Legislature from 1782 to 1798, and Governor of South 
Carolina from 1798 to 1800. 

Rutledge, John (1739-1800), an eminent statesman of South Carolina, 
attended the Stamp Act Congress of 1765, and the First and Second Con- 
tinental Congresses. He was in 1776 the president of the State Government, 
and served as Governor 1779-1782. He was also Chancellor of the State, 
and a member of the Federal Convention of 1787. Rutledge ranked among 
the Federalist leaders. President Washington appointed him in 1795 Chief 
Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, but the nomination was rejected by 
the Senate. 

Ryswick, Treaty of, in 1697, ended the war which, in Europe, was called 
the War of the Grand Alliance; in America, King William's War. 



Dictionary of United States History. 569 

s. 

Sabine Cross Roads, La. Here during Banks' Red River expedition of 
1864 General Banks' advance-guard of 8000 Federals was defeated, as it 
marched toward Shreveport, by 20,000 Confederates led by Kirby Smith. 
Banks was totally unprepared for battle, his line of march extending over 
twenty miles. Suddenly, April 8, the Confederates emerged from the forest 
and bore down upon the disorganized line, and charged the Federals with 
great fury. Their line gave way almost immediately. The Confederates 
pursued them over three miles, until, at Pleasant Grove, Emory's division 
was met drawn up to receive them. A brief skirmish followed, and then 
the Confederates desisted. Banks lost heavily. 

Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. The first attack upon this place in the War of 
1812, was made on July 29, 1812, by a fleet of five British vessels that bom- 
barded the fortifications. They were repulsed with the loss of thirty-two 
men killed and wounded; the Americans lost not a man. A second and last 
attempt was made May 29, 1813. Six British vessels and forty bateaux with 
1000 troops aboard under command of Governor-General Sir George Prevost, 
attacked the militia and regulars under General Jacob Brown. The militia 
fled at the first fire; therefore, the ofiicers in charge of the storehouses, think- 
ing the Americans defeated, set fire to the storehouses, whereby half a mil- 
lion dollars' worth of supplies were destroyed. General Brown, however, 
succeeded in rallying the militia, and the British, believing them to be rein- 
forcements, turned and fled, leaving their dead and wounded behind. 

Sackville, Lord. (See West, lyionel Sackville-.) 

Sacramento, Cal., was founded in 1841, and became the capital of Cali- 
fornia in 1845. It obtained a city charter in 1863. 

Sacramento, N. M., a narrow pass where, February' 23, 1847, the Ameri- 
can Colonel Doniphan defeated a force of Chihuahuans four times super- 
ior in numbers to his own. 

Sacs, an Algonquin tribe of Indians, formerly centred near the Detroit 
River, were driven beyond Lake Michigan by the Iroquois and settled near 
Green Bay, where they subsequently joined with the Foxes. They aided 
Pontiac, and during the Revolution supported the English. In 1812, the 
Rock River Sacs aided Great Britain. In 1804 and 1816 they ceded lands. 
Their later history is that of the Foxes. 

Safety Fund, the beginning of reform in the banking system. The Safety 
Fund Act was passed by the New York Legislature in 1829, upon the sugges- 
tion of Governor Martin Van Buren. It required that banks chartered by 
the State should pay into the State Treasury a certain percentage of their 
capital stock to serve as a fund out of which the liabilities of any of them 
that might fail should be made good. But the deposit was eventually found 
too small, and a different system was adopted later. 

Sage, Russell, born in 1816, represented New York in the U. S. Congress 
as a Whig from 1853 to 1857. He has had immense interests in railroads, 
for many of which he has been a director. 



570 Dictionary of United States History. 

St. Augustine, Fla., the oldest town in the United States, was settled by 
the Spaniards under INIenendez in 1565, when a fort was erected. It was 
several times attacked by the French, English and Indians. It came into 
the possession of the English by the Treaty of 1763, was ceded to Spain in 
1783, and transferred to the United States in 1819. 

St. Brandan's Isle, a legendary island supposed to have existed to the 
southwest of the Canary Islands and to have been discovered by the Irish 
Monk, St. Brandan, and seventy-five brother monks in the sixth centurj', 
after seven years spent in the search for the land of saints. This legend is 
traceable as far back as the eleventh century. Each of the various early 
geographers gives it a different location. The legend had some influence 
upon the discovery of America. 

St. Charles, Ark., occupied in 1862 by the Confederates, 100 strong, under 
Williams and protected by Fry with a gunboat, the " Maurepas," and several 
batteries. The Federals under Commander Kilty and Colonel Graham 
stormed and took this place June 17. They had five gunboats and a regi- 
ment. 

St. Clair, Arthur (1734-1818), came to America as a British soldier in 
1758. He served under General Amherst at Louisbourg, and distinguished 
himself at Quebec. Joining the American cause, he accompanied General 
Sullivan in the expedition to Canada in 1776. He commanded a brigade 
at Trenton and Princeton. He was appointed major-general and succeeded 
General Gates at Ticonderoga, which he surrendered in 1777. He fought at 
Yorktown. He represented Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress from 
1785 to 1787, and was Governor of the Northwest Territory from 1789 to 
1802. 

St. John, John P., born in 1833, ser\'ed during the Civil War, attaining 
the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He served in the Kansas Senate from 1873 
to 1874, and was Governor of Kansas from 1878 to 1882. He was the candi- 
date of the Prohibition party for President of the United States in 1884. 

St. John's College, Annapolis, Md., was chartered in 1784, opened five 
years later. It was closed during the Civil War. 

St. Joseph, Fort, an English fort situated, in 1781, within the limits of the 
present State of Michigan. It was captured that same year by sixty-five 
Spanish militiamen and sixty Indians, under Don Eugenio Pourr^, from the 
Spanish settlement at St. Louis on the Mississippi. The avowed intention 
of Spain in this expedition was hostility to England, but in reality it meant 
proposed encroachment on our possessions, a fact quickly perceived by John 
Jay and Benjamin Franklin, then ministers at Madrid and Paris, respec- 
tively. 

Saint Leger, Barry (i 737-1 789), came to America as a British soldier in 
1757. He commanded a company at Louisbourg in 1758 and served under 
Wolfe at Quebec in 1759. He commanded the British expedition against 
Fort Stanwix and distinguished himself by his strategy at Oriskany. From 
1780 to 1 781 he conducted a guerilla warfare, with headquarters at Mon- 
treal. 



Dictionary of United States History. 571 

St. Louis, Mo., settled as a trading post in 1764, was occupied by Spanish 
troops in 1771 and was under Spanish rule for thirty years. In May, 1780, 
the town was attacked by Indians and thirty citizens killed. In 1803 it 
became American, and the seat of government of the "District of Louisiana;" 
in 1822 a city. In 1849 St. Louis was visited by an extensive conflagration 
which destroyed many of the business houses of the town. Population in 
1810, 1600; in i860, 160,773; in 1890, 450,245. 

Saint Luc, La Corne de (17 12-1784), was active against the British during 
the old French War. He led the Indians on the left column in Montcalm's 
expedition against Fort William Henry. He distinguished himself at 
Ticonderoga in 1758. He engaged in the contests about Quebec in 1760. 
He espoused the cause of the crown during the Revolutionary War and 
received the co-operation of the Indians. 

St. Lusson, Simon F. D., Sieur de, was sent to explore the Lake Region 
in 1670. In 1675 he concluded a treaty with seventeen Indian tribes and took 
possession of the country for France. 

St. Mary's, the first settlement made in Mar^'land. Governor Calvert, 
with his ship, the "Ark," effected a landing, March 27, 1634, and the emi- 
grants took possession of their new home, calling it St. Mary's. The town 
afterw'ard went to decay. 

St. Paul, Minn., was settled as a trading jDost in 1838, and laid out in 
1849-50. It was the capital of Minnesota from the origination of the terri- 
torial government in 1849. 

St. Philip, Fort (^Mississippi River, below New Orleans). This fort, con- 
sidered the key to Louisiana, was garrisoned by about 400 men under Major 
Overton, when, January 9, 1815, an attack upon it was made by five British 
vessels. The bombardment lasted nine days and resulted in the killing of 
two Americans and the wounding of seven others. The British withdrew 
without capturing the fort. In the Civil War, this fort was garrisoned by a 
small Confederate force under General Duncan. It was on the north side of 
the bend in the Mississippi River. It was bombarded during Farragut's 
expedition against New Orleans and surrendered to General Butler, April 27, 
1862. 

St. Regis (on the boundary between Nova Scotia and Canada), an Indian 
village occupied by the British, and captured October 22, 1812, by Major 
Young. Forty prisoners, army supplies and a flag were among the spoils. 

St. Simon, an island off the coast of Georgia, south of Savannah, ceded 
to James Oglethorpe by the Creek Indians under the treaty of 1733. In 
1742 it was attacked by a Spanish fleet of fifty-one sail under Monteano, 
Governor of St. Augustine. Oglethorpe drove off the Spaniards with a 
small force. 

Salaries, Congressional. Clause i of Art. I, Sect. 6, of the Constitution pro- 
vides that " the Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation 
for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of 
the United States." Under the Articles of Confederation each State pro- 
vided payment for its own members of Congress, but in the convention of 



572 Dictionary of United States History. 

1787 it was thought best that tliey be made independent of their States in 
this respect. Piuckney suggested that the Senate, representing the wealth 
of the country, be allowed no salary, but the proposition was voted down. 
The First Congress voted that its members be paid |6.oo per day and $6.00 
for each twenty miles of travel going and coming. The rates have been 
repeatedly changed. They were: From 1789 to 1815, $6.00 per day; from 
1815 to 181 7, $1500 per year; from 1817 to 1855, $8.00 per day; from 1855 
to 1865, $3000 per year; from 1865 to 1871, $5000 per year; from 1871 to 
1874, $7500 per year; and since 1874, $5000 per year. The Senators and 
Representatives have received the same compensation, except during 1795, 
when the Senators received $j.oo per day. The Speaker of the House and 
the president pro tempore of the Senate receive $8000 per year. A mileage 
of twenty cents is allowed. The change in 181 6 from $6.00 per day to 
$1500 per year was received with great disfavor, as was that of 1873, to 
take effect from March 4, 1871, which is known as the "salary grab." All 
changes in Congressional salaries have been retroactive, covering from twelve 
to twenty-four months. Acts affecting salaries prior to 1866 were separate 
acts. Since then they have frequently been sections of an appropriation 
act. 

Salaries, Executive. By the Act of Congress of September 24, 1789, and 
again February 18, 1793, the salary of the President was made $25,000, that 
of the Vice-President $5000. That of the President continued the same 
until March 3, 1873, when it was raised to $50,000. The salary of the Vice- 
President was raised to $8000 in 1853, to $10,000 March 3, 1873, and was 
reduced to $8000 again January 20, 1874. These salaries are paid monthly. 
A furnished house is provided for the President. The Constitution provides 
that a salary shall be voted for the President, which shall not be diminished 
during his term of office. Hence that part of the "salary grab" act of 1873 
which affected his salary was not repealed. Of the Cabinet officers, the Sec- 
retary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury received in 1789 a salary 
of $3500, the Secretary of War $3000, the Attorney-General $1500. The 
Postmaster-General had $2000. In 1819, the salary of the four secretaries 
was made $6000, that of the Postmaster- General $4000, and that of the 
Attorney-General $3500. In 1853, all were made equal, $8000; in 1873, 
$10,000; in 1874, $8000 again. 

Salaries, Judicial. The Constitution provides that the salaries of judges, 
voted by Congress, shall not be lessened during their term of ofEce. When 
the courts were first organized in 1789, the Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court was paid $4000, the Associate Justices $3500 each. The District 
Judges received from $1000 to $1800. These salaries have been raised from 
time to time. Since March, 1873, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has 
received $10,500; the Associate Justices $10,000; the Circuit Court Judges 
$6,000 each, and the District Judges from $3500 to $5000, until 1891, when 
the salary of all District Judges was fi.xed at $5000. 

Salary Grab, the popular name for the general increase in Federal 
salaries in 1873. The Constitution provides for the compensation of the 
President, Senators, Representatives, Justices and Federal officers from the 



Dictionary of United States History. 573 

Federal treasury. The Act of March 3, 1873, provided that the President's 
salary be increased from $25,000 to $50,000, that of the Chief Justice from 
$8500 to $10,500, those of the Vice-President, Cabinet officers, Associate 
Justices and Speaker of the House from $8000 to $10,000, and of Senators 
and Representatives from $5000 to $7500. Another Act, March 4, 1873, 
was retroactive as regarded the salaries of members of Congress during the 
previous two years. This, the essence of the " salary grab," excited so much 
indignation that the laws were repealed, except those affecting the salaries 
of the President and Justices. 

Salem, Mass. The first house was built here in 1626 by Roger Conant, 
and the town was settled in 1628 by John Endicott. The next year eleven ships 
came from England bringing 406 immigrants who settled in the vicinity. 
In this year the first church organization in the Massachusetts colony was 
effected here. In 1692 the town was stirred up by the famous witchcraft 
delusion which resulted in the execution of nineteen alleged witches on 
■Gallows Hill. The town was incorporated in 1630 and assumed a city 
government in 1836. 

Salem, Oregon, was settled in 1834, incorporated in 1853, and became 
capital of the State in i860. 

Salisbury, N. C, a Confederate prison camp defended by Gardiner with 
3000 soldiers. It was captured April 12, 1865, by 4000 Federal cavalry 
under Stoneman. All its guns and 1364 prisoners were taken, besides enor- 
mous quantities of ammunition and provisions. 

Salt Lake City, capital of Utah, was settled by the Mormons under 
Brigham Young in 1847. 

Saltonstall, Dudley (i 738-1 796), was commodore of the expedition 
against a British post on the Penobscot River in 1779, where the disastrous 
defeat by vSir George Collier was charged to him. 

Saltonstall, Gurdon (1666-1724), was Governor of Connecticut from 1708 
to 1724. He was prominent in the political affairs of the colony, and dis- 
tinguished for his learning and eloquence. 

Saltonstall, Sir Richard (1586-1658), came to Massachusetts from Eng- 
land in 1630 as Assistant to Winthrop. He began the settlement of Water- 
town, but returned to England in 1631. He was a patentee of Connecticut, 
and sent a vessel to take possession of the territory. He wrote letters of 
remonstrance to John Cotton and John Wilson in regard to the persecution 
of persons for their religious convictions. 

Salvation Army. The United States branch of this organization, which 
originated in England in 1865, was established in 1880. There are now in 
this country 536 corps and outposts, about 1700 officers, with 15,000 adher- 
ents. 

Salzburgers. Numerous immigrants from among these people, Protestants 
driven out by the oppressions of the Prince-Bishop of Salzburg, settled in 
what was afterward Georgia previous to the granting of Oglethorpe's patent 
in 1733. Their chief settlement was a mere hamlet called Ebenezer. They 



574 Dictionary of United States History. 

and the Highlanders aided Oglethorpe considerably in his troubles with the 
Spaniards and unfriendly Indians. They owned land on the communal 
system. They were chiefly farmers and Indian traders and were opposed tO' 
the introduction of negroes. 

Sam, a nickname of the American or " Know-nothing " party, current 
from 1854 to i860. 

Samoa. The United States concluded a treaty of friendship and com- 
merce with Samoa in 1S78. German aggressions and native difficulties 
resulted in the establishment of a joint protectorate of the islands by the 
United States, Germany and Great Britain by the treaty of Berlin in 1889. 

Samoset, born about 1590, was a chief of the Pemaquid Indians in 
Maine. He learned English from the colonists of Monhegan Island, sent 
out by Sir Ferdinando Gorges. Soon after the landing of the Pilgrims he 
entered Plymouth, saying, " Welcome, Englishmen." He brought Squanto, 
who had visited England, to act as interpreter, and manifested a friendly 
interest toward the colonists. 

San Antonio, Tex., was founded in 1714 by the Spaniards. A fort and 
a mission were established. The city was an important centre during the 
Mexican and Texan Wars. It was incorporated in 1733. 

San Diego, Cal. A settlement made near the site of the present city by 
Father Junipero in 1768 was the first in the State. 

San Domingo. The revolt of the blacks of San Domingo, under Tous- 
saint Louverture against the French had an important connection with the 
history of the United States. Bonaparte as First Consul conceived the idea 
of forming a great French colonial empire in the Mississippi Valley, to 
balance the influence of the Anglo-Saxon race in America. To this end he 
acquired Louisiana from Spain by the treaty of San Ildefonso. But San 
Domingo was to be his military base, and its recouquest was to be a first 
step. His failure in attempts to recover it, coming at the same time with the 
opportunity of renewing war with England, caused him, instantly abandon- 
ing the whole scheme, to sell Louisiana to the United States. 

San Domingo. (See also Dominican Republic.) 

San Domingo Question. In 1869 the desirability of San Domingo as a 
coaling station for U. S. vessels and other American interests there caused a 
movement toward the annexation of that republic to the United States. Pres- 
ident Grant sent General Babcock to examine into the matter and, on his 
favorable report, a treaty was concluded November 29,1869. The Senate 
rejected the treaty June 30, 1870, and the movement became generally unpop- 
ular. Grant still persisted and Congress concurred in sending a commission, 
consisting of Wade, White and Howe, to examine the matter iu 1871. Their 
report was favorable, but Congress continued to disapprove of annexation. 
Grant abandoned the question in a special message in April, 1871. 

San Francisco, Cal., was settled as a fortified town and Spanish mission 
in 1776. In 1846 an American jiian-of-war took possession of the place. 
The discovery of gold in 1849 caused the city to grow enormously. The 



Dictionary of United States History. 575 

city was granted a charter in 1850. Three disastrous fires occurred in that 
year amounting to about $8,000,000 in property destroyed. 

San Ildefonso, Treaty of, a secret treaty between France and Spain, 
October i, 1800, by which Ivouisiana was retroceded by Spain to France in 
consideration of an agreement advantageous to the royal family of Spain 
relative to Tuscany. Tliis treaty was directly instrumental in bringing 
about the purchase of Louisiana by the United States in 1803. 

San Jacinto, Battle of, fought iu 1836, was the closing battle of the war 
for Texan independence. General Houston, at the head of about 700 Texans, 
defeated 1536 Mexicans under Santa Anna. Many of General Houston's 
troops had openly enlisted in New Orleans and the independence of Texas was 
looked upon with favor by the U. S. Government. 

San Juan de Ulua, a fortified castle on an island in the harbor of Vera 
Cruz, Mexico. General Winfield Scott bombarded the city and fort from 
March 22 to 28, 1847. March 29, both city and fort were called upon to 
surrender and agreed to do so. 

San Juan Question. In negotiating the treaty of 1846, by which the 
forty-ninth parallel, from the Rocky Mountains to the sea, was made the 
boundary between the American and British possessions, a controversy arose 
concerning the course of the line through the channel which divides Van- 
couver Island from the mainland. The Americans contended for the Canal 
de Haro, the British for the Rosario Strait. To avoid conflict, it was decided 
that both nations occupy the island of San Juan at opposite ends. In 1872 
the German Emperor, acting as arbitrator, decided for America. 

San Salvador. A treaty of amity, commerce and navigation was con- 
cluded between the United States and San Salvador in 1850. May 23, 1870, 
an extradition convention was signed, and on December 6 a treaty of amity, 
commerce and consular privileges was concluded. A reciprocity treaty was 
concluded in 1891. 

Sanborn, Franklin B., bom in 1831, has been prominent in the reform of 
caritative institutions. He aided in organizing the American Social Science 
Association and became its secretary in 1873. He wrote a " Life of Thoreau," 
and " Life and Letters of John Brown." 

Sand-Lots. In 1879 the followers of Dennis Kearney, a labor agitator 
of San Francisco, were wont to assemble in the vacant lots of the city, 
called " the sand-lots," to listen to his inflammatory speeches. He was 
called the Sand-lot Orator. 

" Sand-lot Constitution," the California constitution of 1879. 

Sands, Benjamin F. (1S11-1883), commanded the " Dacotah " at Fort 
Caswell in 1862. He was senior ofiicer of the North Carolina Blockading 
Squadron from 1862 to 1865. He commanded the " Fort Jackson " in both 
attacks on Fort Fisher. 



is, Joshua R. ('1795-1883), fought in the engagement with the " Royal 
: " in I Si 2. He commanded the " Vixen " during the Mexican War, 



Sands, 
George ' 
fighting at Alvarado, Tabasco, Laguna and Tuxpan. 



576 Dictionary of Unitkd States History. 

Sands, Robert C. (1799-1832), of New York, was assistant editor of the 
New York Revieiv from 1825 to 1827, and of the Commercial Advertiser 
from 1827 to 1832. He wrote with Bryant and Verplanck "The Talis- 
man." 

Sandy Creek. An American flotilla with supplies for the fleet at Sackett's 
Harbor was attacked here May 30, 1814, by two gunboats, but defeated and 
captured them. The British lost sixty-eight killed and wounded and 170 

prisoners. 

Sandys, Sir Edwin (1561-1629), was an active member of the first Lon- 
don Company for Virginia. He was made treasurer of the company in 1619. 
He established representative government in Virginia, and contributed 
largely to its prosperity. He aided the Pilgrims in securing a charter. 

Sandys, George (1577-1644), was treasurer of Virginia from 1621 to 1624. 
He built the first water-mill, the first iron-works and the first ship in Vir- 
ginia, and his translation of Ovid was English America's first literary pro- 
duction. 

Sanford, Nathan (1777-1838), was a U. S. District-Attorney from 1803 to 
18 16. He represented New York in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 
1815 to 1821 and from 1826 to 1831. 

Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez de (1795-1876), a turbulent Mexican poli- 
tician, entered the Spanish army in Mexico, sided finally with the patriots, 
opposed Iturbide, and became a politico-military leader of national promi- 
nence. He was President 1832-1835. The next year he marched against 
the Texan revolutionists, stormed the Alamo, and was defeated by Houston 
at San Jacinto and captured. He was head of the executive in 1839, and 
again President 1841-1S44; overthrown, he was once more President in 
1846, and in 1847 was beaten by Taylor at Buena Vista. After Scott's vic- 
tories and conquest of the capital Santa Anna resigned, but reappeared as 
President and dictator in 1853-1855. He frequently attempted to regain 
power, and was a marshal under the empire, but died in obscurity. 

Santa Barbara, Cal., occupies the site of a mission founded in 1786. It 
was visited by an earthquake in 1806. It was occupied by U. S. troops 
during Fremont's campaign. 

Santa Fe, N. M., was first visited by the Spaniards in 1542 and settled in 
1609, according to the latest authorities. It was captured by the Indians in 
1680 and the settlement burned. It was recaptured in 1694. It has suffered 
several subsequent attacks from the natives, the most serious being in 1837. 
It was occupied August 18, 1846, by an American anny under General 
Kearny after a march of sixteen days from Bent's Fort on the Arkansas 
River. The occupation was achieved without bloodshed. From captured 
parties of scouts it was learned that the Mexican General Armijo was lying 
in wait with a large army, but no engagement took place. 

Santa Rosa Island, Fla., was attacked the night of October 9, 1861, by 
Confederate soldiers, who surprised and routed Wilson's New York Zouaves, 
but were themselves compelled to retire the next day. 



Dictionary of United States History. 577 

Saratoga, Battle of, September 19, October 7, October 17, 1777. Baum's 
defeat at Bennington and St. Leger's failure at Fort Stanwix rendered Bur- 
goyne's position perilous. The Continental armies were daily increasing, 
and there were no signs of help from Howe. Burgoyne detemiined to take 
the oifensive and crossed the Hudson. The Americans, imder Gates, held 
a strong position at Bemis' Heights. Burgoyne decided to storm their 
encampment and to try to turn their flank simultaneously. His plan was dis- 
covered and thwarted by Arnold, who made a furious opposition until he too 
was outflanked by Riedesel, who had been dispatched against the Heights. 
It was a drawn battle. Gates showed his incompetency by keeping his 
11,000 men in camp, while Arnold with 3000 held the British in check. 
The battle was bloody, both British and Americans losing a fourth of the 
men engaged. For eighteen days nothing was done. Then news came to 
Burgoyne that his supjslies were cut off", and he was forced to engage again, 
though he had but 4000 to oppose to 16,000. Again with 1500 picked men 
under Fraser he tried to turn the American flank and again Arnold thwarted 
him. Both Fraser and Arnold were disabled. The Americans gained the 
field. October 7, Gates with 20,000 men followed up the retreating army, who 
found their passage across the Hudson blocked. No word reached Burgoyne 
from Clinton, and he accordingly treated in regard to surrender. The terms 
agreed upon were that the British should march out with honors of war, lay 
down their arms, march to Boston, embark for England and not serve 
against Americans again. This was called the " Convention of Saratoga," 
to respect Burgoyne's feelings. Arms were laid down October 17. Thus 
failed the first attempt to cut in twain the American military line. The 
Convention was broken by Congress. 

Sardinia. The United States concluded a commercial treaty with Sar- 
dinia in 1838. 

Sargent, Aaron A. (1827-1887), represented California in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Republican from 1861 to 1863, and from 1869 to 1873, and was a 
U. S. Senator from 1873 to 1879. He was Minister to Germany from 1882 
to 1884. 

Sassacus, (1560 ?-i637), chief of the Pequot Indians, led an attack on a 
fort at Saybrook and massacred its inmates. The English under John 
Mason destroyed the Pequot settlement in 1637. 

Saulsbury, Eli (1817-1893) represented Delaware in the U. S. Senate as 
a Democrat from 1871 to 1889. 

Saulsbury, Willard (1820-1892), was Attorney-General of Delaware from 
1850 to 1855. He represented Delaware in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat 
from 1859 to 1871. He earnestly supported the Union and sought to pre- 
vent the Civil War. He formed the famous .Saulsbury combination with his 
brothers Gove and Eli, which ruled Delaware politics for thirty years. He 
was Chancellor of Delaware from 1874 to 1892. 

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., was first settled in 1641 by Jesuits, and during 
the seventeenth century was famous as a centre for missionar>' expeditions 
and explorations. 

37 



578 Dictionary of United States History. 

Saunders, Alvin, born in 1817, was territorial Governor of Nebraska from 
1861 to 1867. He represented Nebraska in the U. S. Senate as a Republi- 
can from 1877 to 1883. 

Saunders, Romulus M. (1791-1867), represented North Carolina in the 
U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1821 to 1827 and from 1841 to 1845. He 
was Minister to Spain from 1846 to 1849. 

Savage's Station, Va., a battle during McClellan's Peninsular campaign, 
occurring June 29, 1862. Magruder, with a detachment of Lee's army, while 
moving along the Williamsburg road, came upon Sumner and Heintzelman 
retiring toward Savage's Station with a large nimiber of McClellan's troops. 
An engagement immediately took place, the Confederates attacking Sumner's 
corps, which was endeavoring to bar the road into the White Oak Swamp. 
Sumner maintained his ground stoutly against repeated assaults, and in the 
evening the national army retired into the swamp. 

Savannah, Ga., was settled in 1733 by Oglethorpe, as the first settlement 
in the colony. In the Revolution it was captured by the British. In 
December, 1778, 3000 British under Colonel Campbell attacked Savannah. 
Howe, the American commander, held out against a force three times his 
own until a negro guided the British to the American rear. The British 
lost but twenty-four, and secured the capital of Georgia and 400 prisoners. 
In September, 1779, the French under D'Estaing and the Americans under 
Lincoln tmdertook the siege of Savannah. The plan was to make two real 
and two feigned attacks before dawn. The plan miscarried. A brave but 
unavailing assault was made, in which Sergeant Jasf)er distinguished him- 
self by rescuing his colors, though twice mortally wounded. After an obsti- 
nate stniggle of fifty-five minutes the assailants were driven back. The 
British loss was trifling. The French and Americans lost about 800 men. 
Estaing sailed away and Georgia was left in the undisputed possession of the 
British. — In 1864 the city was occupied, after ten days' siege and fighting, 
December 10 to 21, by Sherman as the finale of his celebrated march to the 
sea. Sherman's army was 60,000 strong. Hardee held Savannah with 
15,000 Confederates. After great difficulty experienced in approaching the 
town, Sherman began his investment December 10. On the 12th, Hazen 
was sent with his division of the Fifteenth Corps to capture Fort McAlister, 
since Sherman desired to communicate with the Federal fleet, which lay ofi" 
Savannah under the command of Dahlgren. Hazen took the fort, which 
was manned by 200 Confederates and had twenty-three guns, after about fif- 
teen minutes of desperate assault, and communication with the fleet was 
established. Thereupon Sherman summoned Hardee to surrender, but the 
latter refused. Sherman accordingly put his siege gims in position and pre- 
pared for assault. Hardee, seeing himself about to be surrounded, evacuated 
the city on the night of the 20th by means of a pontoon bridge. 

Savings Banks. (See Banks, Savings.) 

Sawyer, Philetus, born in 181 6, represented Wisconsin in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Republican from 1S65 to 1875. He was a member of the U. S. 
Senate from 1881 to 1893. 



Dictionary of United States History. 579 

Saxe, John G. (1816-1887), was prominent in journalism, but won dis- 
tinction by liis poems, mostly humorous. 

Saxony. The droit d'aubaine and taxes on emigration were abolished by 
the Convention of 1845 between the United States and Saxony. 

Saybrook, Conn., was founded in 1635 by a party sent out by John Win- 
throp, and was given its name in 1639 by George Fenwick, who conveyed 
the settlement to the jurisdiction of Connecticut in 1644. It was named for 
Ivords Saye and Brooke. 

Saybrook Platform. May 13, 1708, at the suggestion of the Colonial 
Legislature of Connecticut, a synod of four lay delegates and twelve minis- 
ters met at Saybrook to adopt some more energetic system of church govern- 
ment than then existed. They adopted the Confession of Faith of the 
Reforming Synod held at Boston in 1680 and provided for " one consocia- 
tion or more " of churches in each county " for mutual affording to each 
other such assistance as may be requisite, upon all occasions ecclesiastical," 
and that a general association of church representatives should meet each- 
year at election time. 

Saye and Sale, William Fiennes, Lord (1582-1662), a Puritan lord, was 
prominent in colonization enterprises. In 1632 he and others obtained a 
grant for a colony on the Connecticut River, afterward called Saybrook, from 
his name and that of Lord Brooke. In 1633 he procured a grant in New 
Hampshire. 

SchafF, Philip, born in Switzerland in 1819, died 1893, was president of the 
American Bible Revision Committee. He was president of the Society of 
Church History from 1888 till his death. He published an important "His- 
tory of the Christian' Church." 

Schaumburg-Lippe. vSchaumburg-Lippe acceded to the German extradi- 
tion convention with the United States in 1854. 

Schell, Augustus (181 2-1884), was chairman of the New York Democratic 
Committee from 1853 to 1856, and of the National Committee in i860 and 
1872. After the overthrow of the Tweed ring he was active in reorganizing 
Tammany. 

Schenectady, N. Y., was settled in 1661 by Arent Van Corlear, who 
erected a fort here. The Indians and French massacred nearly all the 
inhabitants on February 9, 1690, and in 1748 again a large number of people 
were killed. It was incorporated as a city in 1798. Union College was in- 
corporated here in 1795. 

Schenk, Robert C. (1809-1890), represented Ohio in the U. S. Congress 
as a Whig from 1843 to 1851. He was Minister to Brazil from 1851 to 1853^ 
negotiating important commercial treaties. He commanded a brigade at 
Bull Run, and served under General Rosecrans in the Shenandoah Valley. 
He led a division at Cross Keys and was engaged in the second battle of 
Bull Run. He again served in the U. S. Congress as a Republican from 



580 Dictionary of United States History. 

1863 to 1871. He served on the Joint High Commission which negotiated 
the Treat>' of Washington, and was Minister to England from 1871 to 
1876. 

Schley, Winfield S., born in 1839, engaged in the capture of Port Hudson 
in 1862. He commanded the expedition which rescued A. W. Greely at 
Cape Sabine, in Grinnell Land, in 1884. 

Schlosser, Fort, near Niagara, a fort held by Major IMallory which was 
captured and burned by the British, December, 1813, during the raid of 
Colonel Murray in retaliating for the burning of Newark. 

Schofield, John M., born in 1831, was graduated at West Point in 1853. 
In the beginning of the war he served in Missouri. Afterward he held com- 
mand of that department and later of the Department of the Ohio. In the 
Atlanta campaign he commanded a corps. He defeated Hood at the battle 
■of Franklin, November 30, 1864, and fought at the following battle of Nash- 
ville. In the beginning of 1S65 he commanded in North Carolina, and 
united his force with Sherman's army. He was then sent on a special 
mission to France. Since that time he has been a department com- 
mander, except in 1868-1869, when he was Secretarv' of War, and 
1876-1881, when he was Superintendent at West Point. He was made 
major-general in 1869, and succeeded Sheridan as commander-in-chief in 
1888. Retired September 29, 1895. 

Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe (1793-1864), an expert on Indian affairs and 
ethnologist, studied the natural sciences and passed many years as Indian 
agent for the Government in the region of the great lakes. Mackinaw was 
his headquarters. He led a Government expedition in 1832. At various 
times he was commissioned in regard to Indian matters. Besides poems, 
Schoolcraft wrote a number of books of travel, and works relating to Ameri- 
can languages and antiquities. 

Schools. There has been much controversy as to whether the public 
school, /. c.y the school supported by the public and free to the poor, was 
first established in New England (Massachusetts) or in New Netherland, 
with the weight of evidence inclining to the latter. The Boston Latin 
School seems to be the direct successor of one founded in 1635, the Roxbury 
Latin School was founded in 1657, the Penn Charter School at Philadelphia 
in 1698. Governor Berkeley's famous remark made in 1670, that he thanked 
God there were no free schools in Virginia, is often quoted. The South 
being thinly settled, efforts to maintain schools were seldom successful. 
Boys were sent abroad, or were educated by tutors or by the parish clerg}'- 
man or by lettered servants. In New England a certain amoimt of educa- 
tion was general and compulsory. The Society for the Propagation of the 
Gospel in Foreign Parts did something for education in American colonies. 
The disorders of the Revolutionary period probably caused some falling off 
in elementary education. The Constitution left the matter to the States. 
The " Blair Bill," which passed the Senate in 1884 and 1886, proposing to 
give Federal money to States, in proportion to the number of their illiter- 
ates, for education, was defeated in the House. 



Dictionary of United States History. 581 

Schouler, James, of Massachusetts, bom in 1839, has published many 
valuable legal treatises and an excellent " History of the United States 
under the Constitution," in five volumes. Since 1889 he has lectured on 
American History at the Johns Hopkins University. 

Schurman, Jacob G., born in 1854, Canadian educator, became professor 
of philosophy at Cornell University in 1884, and its president in 1892. He 
has published "Kantian Ethics and the Ethics of Evolution," and "The 
Ethical Import of Darwinism." 

Schurz, Carl, was born in 1829 at Cologne, in Prussia. He took part in 
the revolutionary movements of 1849, escaped from Germany, and eventu- 
ally settled in the United States. He soon attracted attention as an able 
political orator; President Lincoln appointed him Minister to Spain in i86i> 
but he resigned and entered the army. He commanded a division at the 
second battle of Bull Run and at Chancellorsville, and had charge of a corps 
at Gettysburg. After the war he was a journalist. In 1 869-1 875 he was 
Republican U. S. Senator from Missouri. He was active in the Liberal 
Republican movement of 1872. He was Secretary of the Interior in Presi- 
dent Hayes' Cabinet 1877-1881; editor of the New York Evenijig Post 1881- 
1884, and has since been engaged in business. His life of Clay is in the 
Statesmen Series. 

Schuyler, Eugene (1840-1890), was U. S. Consul at Moscow from 1866 to 
1869, and at Reval from 1869 to 1870. He was secretary of the U. S. Lega- 
tion at St. Petersburg from 1870 to 1876; was Consul-General at Constanti- 
nople from 1876 to 1878; Consul at Birmingham, England, from 1878 to 
1879; Charge d' Affaires and Consul-General at Bucharest from 1880 to 1882, 
and Minister Resident and Consul-General to Greece, Roumania and Servia 
from 1882 to 1884. He wrote a work on Turkestan, and " American Diplo- 
macy and the Furtherance of Commerce." 

Schuyler, Peter (1657-1724), enjoyed great influence with the Five 
Nations and negotiated many treaties. He commanded an expedition 
against the French on Lake Champlain in 1691. He was second in com- 
mand in the expedition against Montreal in 1709. He went to England 
with five Indian chiefs in 17 10 to solicit vigorous measures against the 
French. He was acting Governor of New York from 17 19 to 1720. 

Schuyler, Peter (17 10-1762), of New York, commanded Oswego when 
captured by Montcalm in 1756. He led a regiment in 1759 under General 
Amherst during the conquest of Canada. 

Schuyler, Philip John (November 22, 1733-November 18, 1804), an 
American general and statesman, was bom at Albany. He fought in the 
French and Indian War, and was afterward a member of the New York 
Assembly and one of the leaders among the patriots. He was a delegate to 
the first Continental Congress in 1774, and was included in the first list of 
major-generals in the next year. Schuyler's familiarity with Northern New- 
York fitted hiiu for his assignment to the command in that region. There 



582 Dictionary of United States History. 

was soou unfortunately a divided authority in that department, as intrigues 
gave a command there also to General Gates. Schuyler was, in 1777, 
reinstated, and put in charge of the defence against Burgoyne's invasion. 
Before he could reap the results of his efforts he was superseded by Gates. 
General Schuyler resigned from the army in 1779, but continued to be a 
trusted adviser of Washington and Indian commissioner. He was frequently 
State Senator, and was a Federalist U. S. Senator in 1 789-1 791 and 1797- 
1798. He was a strong advocate of the canal s^'stem in the State. Life by 
lyossing. 

Schuyler, Fort. After Herkimer's defeat at Oriskany there was danger 
of St. Leger's descending upon Albany. All depended upon the relief of 
Fort Schuyler. Contrary to the advice of his officers, General Schuyler sent 
a relief party of 800 volunteers. The fort was relieved and St. Leger's 
troops dispersed (August 16, 1777). 

Schwatka, Frederick (1849-1892), commanded the Arctic expedition in 
1878 which discovered traces of Sir John Franklin's party. In 1889 he made 
valuable discoveries relating to Aztec civilization. 

Scioto Company, a land-speculating organization formed in 1787 for the 
purchase of territory along the Ohio and Scioto. John Cleves Symmes, Joel 
Barlow and William Duer, of New York, were largely interested. Barlow 
was sent to Europe in the company's interest as emigration agent. Symmes 
parcelled out the lands to other parties, the tract which now embraces the 
city of Cincinnati falling to the share of Matthias Denman, Robert Patter- 
son and John Tilson, of New Jersey. 

Scofield, Glenni W. (1817-1891), represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. 
Congress as a Republican from 1863 to 1875. He was Register of the U. S. 
Treasury from 1878 to 1881, and a Justice of the U. S. Court of Claims from 
1881 to 1891. 

Scotch-Irish, the name used in America to designate immigrants from the 
north of Ireland, mostly Presbyterians of Scotch descent. Scots had been 
settled in the north of Ireland during the " Plantation of Ulster " in the 
reign of James I. Thence some came to America early. But the large emi- 
grations were just after the famous siege of Londonderrj' in 1689, and again 
in 1718 and the years immediately succeeding. The largest settlements of 
them were made in the hilly parts of Pennsylvania, in the valley of the 
Shenandoah, and in the Carolinas. In all these, they occupied the highland 
regions, back from the coast, and formed a sturdy, independent, Presbyterian 
population. Jackson, Calhoun, and many other eminent men were of this 
stock. In New England their chief settlements were at Londonderry, 
Antrim, etc., in New Hampshire, founded about 17 19. 

Scotch-Irish Congresses. The first was held at Columbia, Tenn., in 
May, 1889, at which time the Scotch-Irish Society was organized. The pur- 
pose of the society and the yearly conventions is the preservation of Scotch- 
Irish history and associations. The second Congress was convened at Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., May 29-June i, 1890; the third at Louisville, Ky., May, 1891; 



Dictionary of United States History. 583 

the fourth at Atlanta, Ga., April 28, 1892 ; the fifth at Springfield, Ohio, in 
May, 1893 ; the sixth at Des Moines, Iowa, in June, 1894. 

Scott, Dred (i8io?-after 1857), a negro slave born in Missouri. His suit 
for freedom is known as the Dred Scott case (see art.). He was afterward 
owned by C. C. Chafee, of Massachusetts. In 1857 he was emancipated 
in St. Louis. 

Scott, John M. (1730-1784), was one of the founders of the Sons of 
Liberty. He advocated extreme measures against England. He commanded 
a brigade at Long Island, and represented New York in the Continental 
Congress from 1780 to 1783. 

Scott, Robert K., born in 1826, commanded a regiment at Fort Donelson 
and Shiloh. He led a brigade at Hatchie River and a division at Port Gib- 
son and Champion Hills. He was Governor of South Carolina from 1868 
to 1871. 

Scott, Thomas A. (1824-1881), won distinction in the management of 
railroads. His energy and business qualifications contributed largely to the 
success of the Pennsylvania Railroad system. 

Scott, Winfield (June 13, 1786-May 29, 1866), a distinguished American 
general, was born near Petersburg, Va. Educated at William and Mary 
College, he entered the army at the age of twenty-two. In the opening year 
of the War of 181 2 he was taken prisoner at the battle of Queenstown 
Heights. Being released, he served in the campaign of 181 3, was made a 
brigadier-general, and distinguished himself at the battles of Chippewa and 
Bridgewater in 1814. He was promoted to be major-general, and saw little 
more service for a generation. In the Nullification excitement he com- 
manded at Charleston, and he served against the Seminoles and Creeks, suc- 
ceeding Macomb as commander-in-chief of the U. S. army in 1841. In the 
second year of the Mexican War General Scott took command of the main 
army. He besieged and took Vera Cruz, stormed Cerro Gordo, and reached 
Puebla. Having rested his army, he pushed on to the plain of the capital, 
won the victories of Contreras, Chunibusco, Molino del Rey and Chapulte- 
pec, and entered the city of Mexico, September 14, 1847. In 1852 he was 
the Whig candidate for President, and was overwhelmingly defeated by 
Pierce. Later he was engaged on a commission for rectifying the boundary 
line with Great Britain. The outbreak of the war found him still in com- 
mand of the army, but he retired in October, 1861. Scott's imposing stature, 
strict discipline, and attachment to military etiquette won for him the epithet 
of " Old Fuss and Feathers." 

Scott Law, a liquor law passed by the Legislature of Ohio in 1883. It 
forbids the selling of liquor on Sunday; levies a tax of $200 yearly on gen- 
eral liquor dealers, and $100 on sellers of malt liquors, the whole tax to go 
into the county and municipal treasuries. 

" Scribner's Monthly," projected by James G. Holland and Roswell B. 
Smith in 1870 at New York. lu 1881 this company sold out to a new 



584 Dictionary of United States History. 

company formed by Smith, which began the Century Magazine in the same 
year. The Scribner's Magazine was re-established in 1887. 

Scrooby, a small hamlet in the northern part of Nottinghamshire, Eng- 
land, one of the strongholds of Puritanism in tlie latter part of the six- 
teenth century. Thence came a number of the Pilgrim Fathers. 

Scrub Race. The Presidential campaign and election of 1824 was termed 
the " scrub race." The candidates were not nominated by Congressional 
caucus, as had been the custom. Crawford, of Georgia, was put forward by 
a quasi-caucus; New England's candidate was John Q. Adams; Clay was 
nominated by Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois and Ohio; and Andrew 
Jackson by Tennessee and other States. Jackson received the largest popular 
vote, but Adams was chosen by the House. 

Scudder, Horace E., of Massachusetts, was born in 1S38. He has pub- 
lished the series of " American Commonwealths," " ]Men and Manners in 
America," " Noah Webster," and a " History of the United States." He has 
lately been the editor of the Atlantic Monthly. 

Seabury, Samuel (1729— 1796), of New York, clergyman, was obnoxious 
to the colonists on account of the publication of pamphlets signed "A West- 
chester Farmer," entitled " Free Thoughts on the Proceedings of the Con- 
tinental Congress," " The Congress Canvassed," and " A View of the 
Controversy between Great Britain and her Colonies." He was made 
Bishop of Connecticut in 1784, one of the first three Episcopal bishops. 
He was prominent in the organization of the Episcopal Church in 
America. 

Seal, Confederate, adopted by the Confederate Congress, April 30, 1863, 
was designed by Thomas J. Semmes, of Louisiana. The device represents 
an equestrian portrait of Washington, surrounded by the principal agricultural 
products of the Confederacy. 

Seal of the United States. July 4, 1776, Congress appointed Benjamin 
Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson a committee to prepare a device 
for the great seal of the United States. The committee reported various 
devices during several years. William Barton, of Philadelphia, was appoint'^d 
to submit designs. Sir John Prestwich, an English antiquarian, suggestv. 1 
a design to John Adams in 1779. Combining the various designs of Barton 
and Prestwich, a seal was adopted June 20, 1782. Arms: Paleways of 
thirteen pieces argent and gules; a chief azure; the escutcheon on the breast 
of the American eagle displayed proper, holding in his dexter talon an olive 
branch and in his sinister a bundle of thirteen arrows; and in his beak a 
scroll with the motto: E Pluribus Unum. Crest: a glory breaking through 
a cloud proper and surrounding thirteen stars. Reverse: A pyramid 
unfinished. In the zenith an eye in a triangle, surrounded with a glory 
proper, over the eye the words, Anntiit Cocptis. Beneath the pyramid, 
MDCCLXXVI, and words, Novus Ordo Seculorjiin. 



Dictionary of United States History. 585 

Search. Great Britain, in the period before the War of 181 2, claimed 
and exercised the right of search on two grounds. Search was made for 
deserting English sailors, and many American seamen were impressed as 
such, and search was made for such goods as were declared subject to con- 
fiscation in accordance with the paper blockade of the Continent and the 
Orders in Council. This was one of the grievances on account of which the 
War of 1 81 2 was begun, but was not remedied by the Treaty of Ghent. 
The right of search for the purposes of suppression of the slave-trade was 
carefully regulated by several treaties between Great Britain and the United 
States. 

Seaton, William W. (i 785-1866), was joint editor with Joseph Gales of 
the National Intelligencer from 18 12 to i860, and sole editor from i860 to 
1866. With Mr. Gales he published "Annals of Congress from 1798 to 
1824," " Register of Debates in Congress from 1824 to 1837," and " Ameri- 
can State Papers." 

Secession. After the adoption of the Constitution of 1787 the thought 
that the States were sovereign remained familiar to the minds of many, if 
not most, Americans. This led easily to the thought of secession by a State 
or States as a remedy for aggressive action on the part of the Federal 
Government. The Federalists of New England made threats of secession 
in 1811 and 1814. As the slavery agitation began to be foremost among 
political issues, secession was extensively suggested as the constitutioual 
right of the Southern States if the system of slavery was attacked. South 
Carolina was ready to secede in 1850. In i860, upon news of the election 
of Lincoln, she did so, December 20, by convention, which passed an 
ordinance purporting to repeal her adoption of the Constitution in 1788 and 
to revive her independence. Mississippi seceded January 9, 1861, Florida 
Januar>' 10, Alabama January- 11, Georgia January- 19, Louisiana January 26, 
Texas February i, — all by conventions. These seven States formed the 
Confederate States of America, February 4, 1861. Buchanan's government 
could find no constitutional warrant for coercing a seceded State. After the 
firing on Fort Sumter and the decision of Mr. Lincoln and the North to 
suppress rebellion by armed force, four more States seceded — Arkansas 
May 6, North Carolina May 20, Virginia May 23, Tennessee June 8. In 
most of these States there had been strong opposition to secession, but* on 
the ground that it was inexpedient. That a State had a right to secede was 
the nearly universal belief. The national Government never recognized this 
right, nor the validity of the ordinances. (See arts. Confederate States, Civil 
War.) 

Secretaries. The first heads of executive departments bearing this title 
were instituted in 1781. (See art. Executive, and those on the several 
departments now represented in the Cabinet.) 

Seddon, James A. (1815-1880), represented Virginia in theU. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1845 to 1847 and from 1849 to 1851. He was Con- 
federate Secretary of War from 1S62 to 1865. 



586 Dictionary of United States History. 

Sedgwick, Catherine Maria (1789-1867), of Massachusetts, established and 
managed a jDrivate school from 1813 to 1863. She published many novels 
illustrative of American life and manners. 

Sedgwick, John (1813-1864), graduated at West Point in 1837, and served 
in the Seminole and Mexican Wars. In the opening phase of the Rebellion 
he led a brigade in the Army of the Potomac, and commanded a division at 
Fair Oaks, the Seven Days' Battles, and Antietam. He was a corps general 
at Chancellorsville, and directed the left wing at Gettysburg. In November, 
1863, he captured a Confederate division at the River Rapidan. In the 
terrible fighting of the Wilderness General Sedgwick was as usual foremost, 
and was killed at Spottsylvania. 

Sedgwick, Robert (1590-1656), came to Massachusetts about 1635 from 
England. In 1652 he became commander of the Massachusetts militia. 
He engaged in the expedition against Penobscot in 1654 and against the 
Spanish West Indies in 1655. 

Sedgwick, Theodore (1746-1813), represented Massachusetts in the Con- 
tinental Congress from 1785 to 1786. He served in the U. S. Congress as a 
Federalist from 1789 to 1796 and in the U. S. Senate from 1796 to 
1799. He was Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives from 1799 
to 1 801. He was a Judge of the Massachusetts Supreme Court from 1802 
to 1813. 

Sedition Law. The Sedition law was an act passed by the Federal 
majority in Congress in 1798. It was passed in order to put an end to the 
scurrilous and abusive tone of the press, which was largely controlled by 
aliens, French, English, Irish and Scotch refugees. It was modelled on two 
English acts of 1795. It provided heavy fines and imprisonment for any 
who should combine or conspire against the operations of the Government, 
or should write, print or publish any " false, scandalous and malicious writ- 
ings " against it, or either House of Congress, or the President, with intent 
to bring contempt upon them or to stir up sedition; truth of the libel could 
be offered in defence. The Alien and Sedition laws called out the Virginia 
and Kentucky resolutions, and by their severity occasioned the fall of the 
Federal party. 

Seelye, Julius H., born in 1824, was professor of mental and moral phil- 
osophy at Amherst College from 1858 to 1875, and its president from 1877 
to 1891. He represented Massachusetts in the U. S. Congress as a Republican 
from 1875 to 1877. Died 1895. 

Selectmen, the chief officers of a New England town. English parishes 
had their vestries, which were of two sorts, common vestries, composed of 
all the rate-payers, and select vestries. In the latter, concerns were managed 
by select vestrymen. Hence the term selectmen, as used in New England, 
for the governing board of a town. The practice is found in Massachusetts 
as early as the issue of the " Body of Liberties." The selectmen acted 
under the orders of the town-meeting. 




NAVAL COMMANDERS OF CIVIL WAR. 

D. G. Farra^ut. S. F. Dupont. John L, Worden. 



A. H. Foote 



S. F. Dupont. 
Raphael Sermnes. 



John A. Winslow. 



John A. Dahlgreen. 
David D. Porter. 



Dictionary of United States History. 587 

Selfridge, Thomas O., born in 1837, commanded a siege battery at Vicks- 
burg. He commanded the " Osage " in the Red River Expedition, and 
the " Huron " at Fort Fisher. He was distinguished for courage and 
coolness. 

Seminole War. The Seminoles were a nation of Florida Indians, com- 
posed chiefly of Creeks and remnants of other tribes. During the War of 
1812, the British had been materially aided by the Seminoles. The com- 
bined British and Indian stronghold — the " Negro Fort," on the Appalachicola 
— was a constant menace to Georgia. During 181 7, there were constant 
collisions and massacres of the whites. General Gaines accomplished little. 
Florida was then held by Spain. In January, 1818, Andrew Jackson was 
given command, and in less than six months completely reduced the Semi- 
noles, burning their towns and defeating them day after day. Ambrister and 
Arbuthnot, English adventurers in league with the Spanish and Indians, 
were summarily hanged. Pensacola was captured and the whole of East 
Florida was taken possession of. After the acquisition of Florida, many 
slaves fled to the Seminoles. The Government endeavored to recover them, 
and to force the Seminoles to remove to the West. War with the Seminoles 
ensued and was carried on with severity on both sides. General Thompson, 
the U. S. agent, finding their chiefs opposed to migration, put Osceola in 
chains.- War followed and Osceola killed Thompson and others at Fort 
King on December 28, 1835, and cut to pieces a body of troops under Major 
Dade. After a most disastrous struggle they were partially conquered, and 
in 1837 agreed to emigrate. Osceola, however, fled and renewed the war. 
He was finally taken by treachery and the conflict ended (1842). By treaty 
of 1845 the Seminoles were removed west of the Mississippi; in 1856 they 
were assigned lands west of the Creeks. 

Semmes, Raphael (1809-1877), a Confederate naval commander, served 
for many years in the American navy, including the Mexican War, and in 1861 
joined the Southern side. In the period just before the commencement of 
hostilities, he was ver>' active in procuring supplies for the naval depart- 
ment of the new Confederacy. As commander of the " Sumter " he cap- 
tured many American merchantmen until he was blockaded at Tangier. 
He then sold the " Sumter," and in 1863 assumed charge of the " Alabama." 
In this privateer he made sixty-two captures, but the " Alabama's " career 
was ended off Cherbourg, June 19, 1864, by the " Kearsage." (See "Ala- 
bama" and " Kearsarge.") Semmes escaped in a British vessel, made his 
way to the South, and was appointed rear-admiral. He was arrested in 1865 
after the close of the war, but was released. 

Senate. The name Senate was first applied to an American institution of 
government in the Virginia Constitution of 1776. Thence it was adopted 
into all those States whose legislatures were organized with two branches. 
The State Senates were in some cases elected by voters having a higher 
property qualification than the electors of the lower branch. In the delibera- 
tions of 1787 the Federal upper House was at first designated as the " second 
branch." The name Senate first appears in the report of the committee of 
detail, August 6. One of the chief compromises of the Constitution was that 



588 DiCTI-NARY OF UNITED STATES HISTORY. 

effected by Connecticut, which harmonized the conflicting interests of large 
and small State3 by arranging that, while Representatives should be appor- 
tioned to population, each State should have two Senators, chosen by the State 
Legislature, in 1789 the Senate was divided into three classes by lot, one- 
third retiring every two years. Down to 1795 the Senate sat with closed 
doors. Invested with the executive powers of concurrence in appointments 
and treaties, it has been, as a rule, stronger than the House, though the 
reverse is usually true of upper Houses. Elections of Senators were not 
governed by any Federal law until 1866, when an act was passed providing 
for the present mode of election. 

Senecas, a tribe of Iroquois Indians, lived in Western New York. They 
allied themselves with Pontiac, destroying Venango, attacking Fort Niagara, 
and cutting off an army train near Devil's Hole in 1763. During the Revo- 
lution they favored the English. General Sullivan invaded their territory 
and devastated it. They made peace in 1784. They ceded a great part of 
their land, and in 181 2 joined the American cause, though a part in Ohio 
joined the hostile tribes of the West, making peace in 1815. This band 
removed to Indian Territory in 1831, but the rest remained in New York. 

Separatists, a sect which arose, chiefly in the North of England, about 
1567, inspired by the exhortations of ministers who believed the gospel 
should be preached freely and " the sacraments administered without idola- 
trous gear," and who, like Robert Brown, called upon the people " to sepa- 
rate " from the Church of England. A number of them emigrated to 
Holland in 1608. Their chief strength was about Scrooby, in Nottingham- 
shire. A number of the Pilgrim Fathers belonged to this sect. 

Separatists (of Zoar), the inhabitants of a communistic settlement in 
Ohio, called Zoar. They originated in Wiirttemberg, whence, in 1817, a 
number of them emigrated to this country to secure religious freedom. 
They were dissenters from the Established Church. Arriving at Philadel- 
phia, they procured a tract of 6500 acres of land in Ohio, and founded the 
village of Zoar, choosing Joseph Baumeler as leader. It was not their 
original intention to form a communistic society, but necessity compelled 
them to do so later. At first marriage was prohibited, but in 1830 this rule 
was abolished. 

Sergeant, John (1779-1852), represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Federalist from 1815 to 1823, from 1827 to 1829, ^"^ f'^o™ '^^27 
to 1842. He was the Whig candidate for the Vice-Presidency in 1832, on 
the ticket with Clay. 

Servia. The United States concluded commercial and consular conven- 
tions with Servia in 1881. 



Dictionary of United States History. 



589 



Sess 


ons 


f Congress. 























i 


From 


To 


^ 






From 


To 





I 










a 


I 










f 


March 


4. 17S9 


Sept. 


29, 1789 


Dec. 


I, 1845 


Aug. 


10, 1846 


i] 


2 


Jan. 


4 


1790 


Aug. 


12, 1790 


2 


Dec. 


7 


1846 


March 


3 


1847 


I 


3 


Dec. 


6 


1790 


March 


3. 1791 


3.{ 


I 


Dec. 


6 


1847 


Aug. 


14 


1848 


'{ 


I 


Oct. 


24 


1791 


May 


8, 1792 


2 


Dec. 


4 


1848 


March 


3 


1849 


2 


Nov. 


5 


1792 


March 


2, 1793 


=■{ 


I 


Dec. 


3 


1849 


Sept. 


30 


1850 


'{ 


I 


Dec. 


2 


1793 


June 


9. 1794 


2 


Dec. 


2 


1850 


March 


3 


1851 


2 


Nov. 


3 


1794 


March 


3. 1795 


-{ 


I 


Dec. 


I 


1S51 


Aug. 


31 


1852 


*{ 


I 


Dec. 


7 


1795 


June 


I, 1796 


2 


Dec. 


6 


1S52 


March 


3 


1853 


2 


Dec. 


5 


1796 


March 


3. 1797 


33 { 


I 


Dec. 


5 


1853 


Aug. 


7 


1854 




I 


May, 


15 


1797 


July 


10, 1797 


2 


Dec. 


4 


1854 


March 


3 


1855 


5 


2 


Nov. 


13. 


1797 


July 


16, 1798 


f 


I 


Dec. 


3 


1S55 


Aug. 


18 


1856 




. 3 


Dec. 


3 


1798 


March 


3. 1799 


34 


2 


Aug. 


21 


1856 


Aug. 


30 


1856 


M 


I 


Dec. 


2 


1799 


May 


14, 1800 


I 


3 


Dec. 


I 


1856 


March 


3 


1857 


2 


Nov. 


17 


iSoo 


March 


3, iSoi 


35 { 


I 


Dec. 


7 


1S57 


June 


14 


1858 


7{ 


I 


Dec. 


7 


1 80 1 


Jlay 


3, 1802 


2 


Dec. 


6 


1858 


March 


3 


1859 


2 


Dec. 


6 


1802 


March 


3. 1803 


36{ 


I 


Dec. 


5 


1859 


June 


25 


i860 


«{ 


I 


Oct. 


17 


1S03 


March 


27, 1804 


2 


Dec. 


4 


i860 


March 


2 


1861 


2 


Nov. 


5 


1834 


March 


3> 1S05 


f 


I 


July 


4 


1861 


Aug. 


6 


1861 


^{ 


I 


Dec. 


2 


1805 


April 


21, 1806 


37] 


2 


Dec. 


2 


i86i 


July 


17 


1862 


2 


Dec. 


I 


1806 


March 


■<., 1S07 




3 


Dec. 


1 


1862 


March 


3 


1S63 


-{ 


I 


Oct. 


26, 


1S07 


April 


25, 1S08 


3S{ 


1 


Dec. 


7 


1863 


July 


2 


1864 


2 


Nov. 


7 


iSoS 


March 


3, 1809 


2 


Dec. 


5 


1864 


March 


3 


1865 


f 


I 


May 


22 


1809 


June 


28, 1809 


3,{ 


I 


Dec. 


4 


1865 


July 


28 


1866 


" 


2 


Nov. 


27 


1809 


May 


I, 1810 


2 


Dec. 


3 


i865 


March 


2 


1867 


1 


3 


Dec. 


3 


iSro 


March 


3, 1811 




I 


March 


4 


1867 


March 


30 


1867 


-{ 


I 


Nov. 


4 


iSii 


July 


6, 1812 






July 


3 


1867 


July 


20 


1867 


2 


Nov. 


2 


1812 


March 


3, 1813 






Nov. 


21 


1867 


Nov. 


30 


1867 


f 


I 


May 


24 


1813 


Aug. 


2, 1813 


40-1 


2 


Dec. 


3 


1867 


July 


25 


1868 


■n 


2 


Dec. 


6 


181^ 


April 
March 


18, 1814 
3. 1815 






Sept. 
Nov. 


21 


1 868 








3 


Sept. 


19 


1S14 






I 


1868 


Nov'. 


10 


i'868 


.4{ 


I 


Dec. 


4 


1815 


April 


30, 1816 




3 


Dec. 


7 


1868 


March 


3 


1869 


2 


Dec. 


2, 


1816 


March 


3. 1817 




I 


March 


4 


1869 


April 


9 


1S69 


«{ 


I 


Dec. 


I 


1817 


April 


30, 18 18 


41- 


2 


Dec. 


6 


1869 


July 


15 


1870 


2 


Nov. 


16 


1818 


March 


3. 1819 




3 


Dec. 


5 


1870 


Jlarch 


3 


1871 


.6{ 


I 


Dec. 


6 


1819 


May 


15, 1820 


f 


I 


March 


4 


1871 


April 


20 


187 1 


2 


Nov. 


13 


1S20 


March 


3. 1821 


42 


2 


Dec. 


4 


187 1 


June 


8 


1872 


"{ 


I 


Dec. 


3 


182I 


May 


8, 1822 


[ 


3 


Dec. 


2 


1872 


March 


3 


1873 


2 


Dec. 


2 


1822 


March 


3. 1823 


«{ 


I 


Dec. 


I 


1873 


June 


23 


1874 


.S{ 


I 


Dec. 


I 


1823 


May 


27, 1S24 


2 


Dec. 


7 


1S74 


Jlarch 


3 


1875 


2 


Dec. 


6 


1824 


March 


3, 1825 1 


44{ 


I 


Dec. 


6 


1S75 


Aug. 


15 


1876 


■'{ 


I 


Dec. 


5 


1825 


May 


22, 1826 1 


2 


Dec. 


4 


1876 


March 


3 


1S77 


2 


Dec. 


4 


1826 


March 


3, 1827 


f 


I 


Oct. 


15 


1877 


Dec. 


I 


1877 


"{ 


1 


Dec. 


3 


1827 


May 


26, 1828 


45] 


2 


Dec. 


3 


1S77 


June 


19 


1878 


2 


Dec. 


I 


1828 


March 


3. 1829 


i 


3 


Dec. 


2 


1S78 


March 


3 


1879 


"{ 


I 


Dec. 


7 


1829 


May 


31, 1830 


f 


I 


March 


18 


1879 


July 


I 


1S79 


2 


Dec. 


6 


1830 


March 


3. 183 1 


46^ 


2 


Dec. 


I 


1879 


June 


16 


1S80 


"{ 


I 


Dec. 


5 


l8u 


July 


16, 1832 


i 


3 


Dec. 


6 


18S0 


March 


3 


i88[ 


2 


Dec. 


3 


1S32 


March 


3. 1833 


«{ 


I 


Dec. 


5 


1881 


Aug. 


8 


1882 


"{ 


I 


Dec. 


2 


1S33 


June 


30. 1834 


2 


Dec. 


4 


1882 


March 


3 


1883 


2 


Dec. 


I 


1834 


March 


3, 1835 


48 { 


I 


Dec. 


3 


1883 


July 


7 


1884 


»{ 


I 


Dec. 


7 


1S35 


July 


4, 1836 


2 


Dee. 


I 


, 1884 


March 


3 


1S85 


2 


Dec. 


6 


1836 


March 


3, 1837 


«{ 


I 


Dec. 


7 


, 1885 


Aug. 


5 


1886 


f 


I 


Sept. 


4 


1837 


Oct. 


16, 1837 


2 


Dec. 


6 


1886 


March 


3 


1887 


25] 


2 


Dec. 


4 


1S37 


July 


9. 1838 


5o{ 


I 


Dec. 


5 


1S87 


Oct. 


20 


1 888 


I 


3 


Dec. 


3 


1838 


March 


3. 1839 


2 


Dec. 


3 


1 888 


March 


3 


1889 


-{ 


I 


Dec. 


2 


1839 


July 


21, 1S40 


-{ 


I 


Dec. 


2 


1889 


Oct. 


I 


1890 


2 


Dec. 


7 


1840 


March 


3. 1841 


2 


Dec. 


I 


, 1890 


March 


3 


1891 




I 


May 


3' 


1841 


Sept. 


13, 1841 


3.{ 


I 


Dec. 


7 


, 1891 


Aug. 


5 


1S92 


27 


2 


Dec. 


6 


1841 


Aug. 


31. 1842 


2 


Dec. 


5 


1S92 


March 


3 


1S93 




3 


Dec. 


5 


1842 


March 


3. 1843 


"{ 


I 


Aug. 


7 


, 189,5 


Nov. 


3 


. 1893 


< 


I 


Dec. 


4 


1843 


June 


17, 1844 


2 


Dec. 


4 


, 1893 






2 


Dec. 


2 


, 1844 


March 


3. 1845 


i 













590 DICTIONARY OF UNITED STATES HISTORY. 

Seven Cities. (See Cibola.) 

Seven Days, an unbroken series of battles, between the Federal and Con- 
federate troops, June 26 to July 2, 1862, known as the Seven Days' Fight 
around Richmond. McClellan's army was 92,500 strong, June 26; Lee's 
forces numbered 80,762. June 26, A. P. Hill, with 30,000 Confederates, 
defeated and drove the Nationals from Mechanicsville. June 27, Longstreet, 
Jackson and Hill, with 55,000 Confederates, attacked and routed 25,000 
Federals under Porter at Gaines' Mills on the Chickahominy. Porter crossed 
the river to Savage's Station, where he defeated Magruder June 28. June 
29 and 30, the Federals were again defeated at Frayser's Farm and White 
Oak Swamp. McClellan retreated to Malvern Hill, where a furious but 
indecisive battle occurred. After this ]\IcCIellan retreated to the James. 
During the Seven Days' fight the Federals lost 15,249 men; the Confeder- 
ates 19,000. 

Seven Pines, or Fair Oaks, Va. May 31, 1862, McClellan's army had 
crossed the Chickahominy and advanced toward Richmond. Johnston, with 
a heavy force of Confederates, attacked Keyes' corps at Seven Pines. Keyes 
defended himself stoutly, but the rain had washed away the bridges over 
the Chickahominy and reinforcements came up slowly, so he held his line 
with difficulty. After protracted and fierce fighting, reinforcements came 
up under Sumner, and tlie Confederates were repulsed, Johnston himself 
receiving severe wounds. 

Seven-thirties, treasury notes of the United States bearing interest at 
the rate of 7.30 per cent per annum (.02 per cent a day). They were first 
authorized in order to meet the expenses of the war by act of July 17, 
1 86 1. The total amount issued, before the war was concluded, amounted to 
,$830,000,000. 

Seven Years' War, a war between England and Prussia on the one hand, 
and France and Austria on the other, lasting from 1756 to 1763. A part 
of it went on in India, and a part in America. The latter phase of it is in 
American history called the French and Indian War. The war was con- 
cluded by the Treaty of Paris in 1763, France losing Canada and L,ouisiana. 
(See French and Indian War.) 

Seventh of March Speech, Daniel Webster's celebrated speech " For the 
Union and Constitution" in the Senate, March 7, 1850. It essentially 
approved of the Clay Compromise and advocated yielding on the part of 
Northern abolitionists to Southern slavery principles in order to maintain 
the Union in harmony. Calhoun's doctrine of peaceable secession was 
denounced as impossible. 

Sevier, John (1745-1815), one of the chief pioneers of the West, was bom 
in Virginia, and was a hardy Indian fighter from his early years. He was 
present at the battle of Point Pleasant in 1774, and was one of the command- 
ers at King's Mountain in 1780. When the Tennessee district of North 
Carolina in 1784 declared its independence as the State of Franklin, it chose 
Sevier for Governor. He assumed the office but the temporary State was 
scon taken back. Sevier became Congressman in 1790. When Tennessee 



Dictionary of United States History. 591 

finally entered the Union he was its first Governor, serving from 1796 to 
1803. He was again Congressman from 181 1 to 1815. There is a biography 
by Gilmore. 

Sewall, Samuel (1652-1730), Chief Justice of Massachusetts, came to 
America from England in i65i. He was an "assistant" of Massachusetts 
from 1684 to 1688, a member of the Executive Council from 1692 to 
1725, and judge of the probate court from 1692 to 1718. He was prominent 
in the Salem witchcraft trials and afterward publicly acknowledged his 
error. He was Chief Justice from 1718 to 1728. He published "The 
Selling of Joseph," one of the first tracts advocating the rights of slaves, 
and kept a diary, since published, which gives an interesting and amusing 
picture of life in Puritan Boston. 

Seward, Frederick W., born in 1830, son of W. H. Seward, was Assistant 
U. S. Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869 and from 1877 to 18S1. He 
published the " Life and Letters of William H. Seward." 

Seward, George F., born in 1S40, was Consul at Shanghai, China, from 
1861 to 1863, Consul-General to China from 1863 to 1876, and Minister to 
China from 1876 to 1880. 

Seward, William Henry (May 16, 1801-October 10, 1872), a distinguished 
American statesman, was born in Orange County, N. Y. He was graduated 
at Union College in 1820, and having studied law he entered on its practice at 
Auburn. The anti-Masonic excitement broke out soon afterward, and Sew- 
ard was carried into the State Senate on a wave of this feeling in 1830. In 
1834 he was defeated as the Whig candidate for Governor. About this time 
began the political partnership of Thurlow Weed, Horace Greeley and Sew- 
ard, which was far-reaching in its influence on State and National affairs. 
Seward was Governor in 1 839-1 843. In 1849 he entered the U. S. Senate. 
He was in that body one of the leaders of the anti-slavery men, and when 
the Republican party was formed he was among its foremost orators. 
Among his numerous speeches were that in 1850, which spoke of the 
" higher law," and the " irrepressible conflict" oration of 1858. In i860, at 
the Chicago Convention, Seward was at the start the leading candidate for 
the Presidential nomination. The many elements opposed to him proved 
too strong, and Lincoln was nominated. The new President called his chief 
rival to the Department of State. Secretary Seward's tenure of his office, 
1S61-1869, covers the highly important periods of the Civil War and of 
reconstruction. Many were the delicate questions, especially with England, 
as in the " Trent " affair and throughout the struggle, also with France in 
the Mexican episode. Seward's ability in the conduct of the foreign rela- 
tions has been generally praised. On the night of Lincoln's assassination 
he was stabbed and dangerously injured. In 1867 he negotiated the pur- 
chase of Alaska, and he made various West Indian treaties which failed of 
confirmation. He traveled extensively after retiring from office, and the 
narratives of his travels, as well as his speeches, have been published. Life 
by Seward. 

Seymour, Horatio (May 31, 1810-February 12, 1886), a prominent Demo- 
cratic statesman, was in early life the militar>' secretary of Governor Marcy 



592 Dictionary of United States History. 

of New York. With the politics of that State he was thereafter identified. 
As Assemblyinaii, Mayor of Utica, and Speaker of the Assembly, he had 
become noted as a leader of the Democratic party, and in 1850 he was 
defeated as its candidate for Governor. In 1 853-1 855 he was Governor, but 
the State was close, and the Republicans held control for a few years. Sey- 
mour's attitude in the Civil War is difficult to characterize. He supported 
the Union, but could hardly be reckoned as a " War Democrat." In 1862 he 
was elected Governor over the Republican candidate, and served 1 863-1 865. 
During his term occurred the Draft Riots in New York City, July, 1863. 
Governor Seymour's speech to the mob has been the subject of severe criti- 
cism. He was defeated for re-election in 1864. In 1868 he presided over 
the Democratic National Convention, and received against his will the 
nomination for President. In the election he was defeated by General 
Grant, receiving only eighty electoral votes. 

Seymour, Truman (1824-1891), U. S. A., serv-ed in the Mexican War. He 
aided in the defence of Fort Sumter in 1861. He commanded the left wing 
at Mechanicsville in 1862, led a division at Malvern Hill, and was brevetted 
colonel for services at South Mountain and Antietam. He fought at Morris 
Island and Fort Wagner, and captured Jacksonville. He led a brigade at 
the Wilderness and Petersburg. 

Shackamaxon, scene of William Penn's famous treaty with the Indians 
in 1682, near Chester, Pa. By this treaty the confidence and friendship of 
the Indians were secured, and their land was fairly purchased. 

Shadrach Case (1851). In May, 1850, a fugitive slave from Virginia, 
named Frederic Wilkins, came to Boston, and secured employment under 
the alias of Shadrach. Subsequently he was arrested and jailed in the 
United States Court-house pending trial. Shadrach was rescued by a 
body of colored people and conveyed in safety to Canada. Intense excite- 
ment prevailed in Boston, and spread over the entire country upon Congress 
turning its attention to the infringement of the law. Mr. Clay introduced a 
resolution requesting the President to send to Congress information regard- 
ing the matter. President Pierce issued a proclamation announcing the 
facts, and calling upon the people to prevent future disturbances. 

Shaftesbury, Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of (1621-1683), was one of 
the nine proprietors who received a grant of Carolina in 1663, extending 
from the Y'irginia frontier to the river St. Mathias in Florida. He was 
prominent in the management of the colony, and secured for it the consti- 
tution drafted by Locke in 1667. It established a territorial aristocracy 
with the proprietors at the head, granting religious toleration. Shaftesbury 
was a famous party-leader in England, and was Lord Chancellor from 1672 
to 1673. 

Shakers, a communistic association founded at New Lebanon, N. Y., in 
September, 1787, by a party of the followers of Ann Lee, of England, 
founder of the sect. James and Jane Wardley were at the head of this 
society. The formation of the society was due chiefly to the influence of a 
religious revival, and the name is derived from the peculiar dance with 



Dictionary of United States History. 593 

■which they accompany their worship. Ann Lee was supposed to have had 
a special revelation from heaven. She died at Watervliet, N. Y., in 1784, 
after a number of years spent in preaching and making converts. 

Shanley vs. Haney (1762), an English case in equity brought by an 
administrator to recover money given by his intestate to a negro brought to 
England as a slave. The suit was dismissed by Lord Northington, who held 
that a slave became free as soon as he set foot on English territory. (See 
Sommersett.) 

"Shannon," frigate. (See "Chesapeake.") 

Sharpless, James (1751-1811), came to America from England in 1794, 
and executed many portraits of distinguished Americans in pastel, the most 
noteworthy being that of Washington. 

Sharswood, George (1810-1883), was President-Judge of a district court 
from 1 85 1 to 1867 and a Judge of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 
1867 to 1882. He published many valuable legal works. 

Shaw, Lemuel (1781-1861), was Chief Justice of the Massachusetts 
Supreme Court from 1830 to i860. He is regarded as one of the foremost 
of New England jurists. 

Shawmut, the name of an Indian settlement, which once stood upon the 
site of Boston. The latter town was long known to the Indians by that 
name. 

Shawnees, a tribe of Algonquin Indians, after wandering about the east 
were driven west by the Iroquois. They first aided the French in their final 
struggle until won over to the English. They joined Pontiac and from time 
to time continued hostilities until the peace of 1786. They took part in the 
Miami War, but, finally reduced by General Wayne, they submitted under 
the Treaty of 1795. In 1812 a part joined the English. The Missouri band 
ceded their lands in 1825, and the Ohio band in 1831. They became some- 
what scattered, but the main band in Kansas ended tribal relations in 1854. 

Shawomet, a place on the Pawtuxet River, R. I., where in 1643 the turbu- 
lent English adventurer, Gorton, and a few friends concluded a purchase of 
land from Miantonomo, a chief of the Narragansett Indians, and established 
the town of Warwick, one of the elements which combined to make Rhode 
Island. 

Shays, Daniel (1747-1825), served as an ensign at the battle of Bunker 
Hill and attained the rank of captain during the Revolutionary War. In 
1786 he was the chief leader of the insurrection known as "Shays' Rebel- 
lion" (q. V.) After the rebellion he lived for a year in Vennont. He received 
pardon from Governor Bowdoin of Massachusetts and settled in New York in 
1788. 

Shays' Rebellion. After the close of the Revolution, much discontent 
and indeed actual want prevailed through New England, especially in 
Western Massachusetts. The annual State tax amounted to $1,000,000. 
Riots and armed mobs were frequent, the especial grievances being the high 
salan,' of the Governor, the refusal to issue paper money, and the specific 

38 



594 Dictionary of United States History. 

taxes to pay the interest on the State debt. December 5, 1786, 1000 armed 
men under Daniel Shays took possession of Worcester and prevented the 
session of the Supreme Court. Springfield was mobbed by the same men. 
General I^incoln, commanding 4000 militia, attacked Shays near Spring- 
field, January 25, 1787, quickly routing his force. They fled to Amherst, 
where 150 were captured. The insurgents were pardoned on laying down 
their arms. 

Shea, John D. Gilmary (1824-1892), published "The Discovery and 
Exi^loration of the Mississippi Valley," " Novum Belgium," " The Opera- 
tions of the French Fleet under Count de Grasse " and an extensive and 
valuable " History of the Catholic Church in the United States." 

Sheaffe, Sir Roger H. (1763-1851), served in the British army in Canada 
from 1802 to 181 1. He defeated the American troops at Queenstown in 
1813, and defended York (now Toronto) when attacked. 

Shelburne, Wm. P. Fitz-Maurice, Earl of, (i 737-1805), while President 
of the Board of Trade in Granville's Cabinet in 1763, opposed the Stamp 
Act and other measures oppressive to the American colonies. He sought to 
moderate the arbitrary colonial policy of Grafton and Townsend, and ardently 
opposed the colonial administration of Lord North. He became Premier in 
1782, and negotiated the preliminaries of peace with the United States. He 
resigned in 1783. 

Shelby, Isaac (1750-1826), served in the battle of Point Pleasant in 1774. 
He distinguished himself at the battle of Long Island Flats, Tenn., with 
the Indians in 1776. In 1780 he defeated the British at Cedar Springs and 
Musgrove's Mill. He planned and engaged in the battle of King's Moun- 
tain. He was Governor of Kentucky from 1792 to 1796 and from 1812 to 
1816. In 181 2 he organized a body of 4,000 volunteers and joined General 
Harrison in Canada, taking part in the victory of the Thames. 

" Shenandoah," a British-Confederate cruiser. She sailed from London 
as the " Sea King," October 8, 1864, commanded by Captain James J. Wad- 
dell, of the Confederate navy. Making for Madeira, her name was changed 
to the "Shenandoah." From Madeira she sailed for Melbourne, destroying 
a number of United States merchant ships on her way. Thence she went 
to Behring Sea and did great damage to the whaling vessels. At the close 
of the war the " Shenandoah " was surrendered to the British Government 
and afterward turned over to the United States. 

Shepard, Thomas (1605— 1649), '^^^ charged with non-conformity in Eng- 
gland and came to America in 1635. He was pastor of the church at Cam- 
bridge, Mass., from 1635 to 1649. He was influential in the establishment 
of Harvard College at that place. He was one of the inost influential men 
in New England and a writer on theological subjects. 

Sheridan, Philip Henry (March 6, 1831-August 5, 1888), one of the great 
Unionist generals of the war, was born at Albany, and graduated at West 
Point in 1853. In the first stages of the Civil War he was quartermaster, 
but in 1862 he received a cavalry command. At the battle of Perryville he 




STATESMEN OF RECENT TIMES. 

George F. Edmunds, Allen G. Thurman. 

John Sherman. Carl Schuri, 

James G. Blaine. 

Wtlham M. Evarts. Samuel J. T.lden. 

George Wm, Curtis. 
John G. Carlisle. Thomas F. Bayard. 



Dictionary of United States History. 595 

led a division, and on the blood_\- field of Murfreesboro he especially distin- 
guished himself. Appointed major-general of volunteers, he fought at 
Chickamauga, and at Missionary Ridge he shared with Hooker and others 
the honors of the day. The great period of his career was now approaching.. 
Grant gave him, in 1864, the charge of the cavalry corps in the Army of 
the Potomac; he was present at the Wilderness, fought the battle of Todd's 
Tavern, conducted an extended raid in May and June, and was in August 
placed in charge of the Army of the Shenandoah. He defeated Early at 
Winchester and Fisher's Hill, and was absent at Winchester, when, on 
October 19, 1864, the enemy made a sudden attack on his army at Cedar 
Creek. " Little Phil's " ride from "Winchester, twenty miles away," to the 
battle-field, his reforming the army and turning defeat into a brilliant vic- 
tor)', is the theme of story and poetry. He was made a major-general in the 
regular army. In the operations of 1865 he took the leading part, won the 
battle of Five Forks, April i, and helped materially in the denouement at 
Appomattox. In 1869 he was promoted to be lieutenant-general and in 1888 
general. In 1883 he succeeded General Sherman as commander-in-chief of 
the army. He wrote "Personal Memoirs." 

Sheridan's Raid in Virginia. On the day of the battle of Spottsylvania 
Court House, May 8, 1864, Grant ordered Sheridan to ride with his cavalry 
entirely around the Confederate army, destroying bridges and depots, tearing- 
up railroads and capturing trains. Sheridan followed his commands to the 
letter. He destroyed ten miles of railroad, captured several trains, cut all 
the telegraph wires and recaptured 400 prisoners, who had been taken by 
the Confederates in the Wilderness. The Confederate cavalr}' under J. E. B. 
Stuart was immediately dispatched to intercept him. They met at Yellow 
Tavern, and a hot engagement took place. The Confederates were finally 
defeated, and Stuart himself, the most famous cavalryman of the Southern 
army, was mortally wounded. Sheridan then rode on toward Richmond. 
The outer defences were at that time quite weak, and the Union leader found 
little difficulty in dashing through the Confederate lines and capturing a 
large number of prisoners. The inner works were too strong for him, so he 
retreated and rejoined Grant May 25. 

Sherman, John, bom May 10, 1823, American statesman, is the brother 
of General W. T. Shennan. Having been a surveyor, he settled to the prac- 
tice of law at Mansfield, O. Since he entered the House of Representatives 
in 1855 his official career has been unbroken. He was the Republican candi- 
date for Speaker in 1859, and was chairman of the Ways and Means Com- 
mittee. In 1 86 1 he entered the U. S. Senate. He was foremost in the 
financial and other measures, and personally recruited an Ohio brigade. For 
several years he was chairman of the important Finance Committee. He 
visited Louisiana at the time of the Tilden-Hayes excitement, and in 1877 
left the Senate to enter President Hayes' Cabinet. During his administra- 
tion of the Treasury Department occurred the Resumption of Specie Pay- 
ments in 1879, for which Secretary Sherman had made careful preparation. 
In 1 881 he re-entered the Senate. His name has been several times pre- 
sented to Republican National Conventions. In 1880 Garfield headed the 



596 Dictionary of United States History. 

■Ohio delegation in Sherman's favor, and was himself nominated. In 1888 
Sherman was first in the lead, but Harrison finally won. Senator Sher- 
man has been chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations. He became 
-Secretary of State in McKinley's Cabinet March 4, 1897. 

Sherman, Roger (i 721— 1793), a signer of the Declaration of Indepen- 
•dence, was a shoemaker in early life, a surveyor, lawyer. Judge of the Supe- 
rior Court of Connecticut, and member of the Legislature. He was a dele- 
gate to the first and second Continental Congresses, was one of the committee 
of five to draft the Declaration, and a member of the Connecticut committee 
of safety. He was an influential delegate to the Federal Constitutional 
Convention of 1787. He supported the Constitution in the ratifying con- 
vention of his State, and wrote the valuable " Citizen " letters. In the first 
Congress he was a member of the House of Representatives 1789-1791, and 
U. S. Senator 1791-1793. Few of his contemporaries have a more honorable 
record of usefulness through the entire revolutionary period. 

Sherman, Thomas W. (1813-1879), was brevetted major for services at 
Buena Vista during the Mexican War. He commanded the land forces of 
the Port Royal Expedition in 1861. In 1862 he commanded a division in 
the Army of the Tennessee, engaging at Corinth. He was active in the 
engagements about New Orleans and led the left wing at Port Hudson 
in 1863. 

Sherman, William Tecumseh (February 8, 1820-February 14, 1891), one 
of the most famous generals of recent times, was born at Lancaster, Ohio, 
and graduated at West Point in 1840. He was engaged in the Seminole 
War, and in the Mexican War took part in the expedition to California. In 
1853 he resigned, and was in business in California, New York and Kansas. 
In 1860-1861 he was superintendent of a military college in Louisiana. 
When the Rebellion began he was appointed colonel. At the first battle of 
Bull Run he commanded a brigade. In October he was transferred to the 
department of the Cumberland, but was removed the next month. Sherman 
was one of the few who early in the war foresaw the severity of the contest. 
In 1862 he was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and with his division 
contributed materially to the victory of Shiloh. Made major-general of 
volunteers and corps commander, he had a signal share in the success of the 
Vicksburg campaign. He was now promoted to be brigadier-general in the 
regular army, and commanded the left wing at the battle of Chattanooga. 
Immediately afterward he was sent to relieve Burnside at Knoxville. When 
Grant in 1864 assumed command of all the Federal armies he intrusted 
Sherman with the task of crushing the Rebellion in the West. Accordingly 
in the spring General Shennan with a powerful force moved southward, 
opposed by General J. E. Johnston in the mountains of Northern Georgia. 
These great strategists contended at Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, 
etc. (See arts.) In the vicinity of Atlanta three severe battles were fought 
with Hood, and that city was taken. In November Sherman started on his 
famous " march to the sea," reaching Savannah at Christmas time. He was 
now a major-general in the regular army. Leaving Savannah in Februar>', 
he entered Columbia, fought the battles of Averj'sboro and Bentonville, 



Dictionary of United States History. 597 

and after Lee's surrender, concluded a treaty with Johnston; as this was 
rejected by the Government, another treaty on September 26, 1865, was 
framed, and Johnston's army surrendered. General Sherman was promoted 
to be lieutenant-general in 1866, and succeeded Grant as general and com- 
mander-in-chief in 1869. He retired from the army in 1883. He is the 
author of " Memoirs." Sherman was of a firm, straightforward, soldierly 
character. 

Sherman Act, a bill submitted by Senator Sherman, of Ohio, and passed 
by Congress July 14, 1890. This act provided that the Secretary of the 
Treasury purchase each month 4,500,000 ounces of silver bullion at market 
price, treasury notes of legal-tender character to be issued in payment there- 
for, and these notes to be redeemable on demand, in coin at the treasury'. It 
also provided that 2,000,000 ounces be coined each month into standard sil- 
ver dollars, and that the silver legislative act of February 28, 1878, be 
repealed. The purchasing clause of the Sherman act was repealed in 1893. 

Shields, Charles W., born in 1825, has occupied at Princeton Theological 
Seminary a professorship of the harmony of science and revealed religion, 
since 1865. He is the author of extensive philosophical works. 

Shields, James (1810-1879), soldier, came to the United States from Ire- 
land in 1826, and was a member of the Illinois Legislature in 1836. He was 
Commissioner of the General Land Office from 1845 to 1847. He com- 
manded a brigade during the Mexican War, gaining distinction at Cerro 
Gordo and Chapultepec. He represented Illinois in the U. S. Senate as a 
Democrat from 1849 to 1855. He commanded a division in General Banks' 
army and gained a victory at Winchester in 1862, but was defeated at Port 
Republic by General Jackson. 

Shilling. In America this coin was first issued from the mint at Boston, 
Its coins were of the value of " I2d, 6d and 3d peeces," and " every shilling- 
weighing the three-penny trojweight and lesser peeces proportionably." The 
first struck were mere planchets stamped near the border NE, and on the 
reverse the value indicated by XII, similarly impressed. The first struck 
were known as the " New England Shilling " and these were followed by 
the " Willow Tree," " Oak Tree " and " Pine Tree " coins. Their weight 
was 72 grains, and their value 18^ cents. The tree coins all bore the same 
date, the " Pine Tree " being the most conspicuous. Maryland also, 1659, 
had shillings coined in London by Lord Baltimore; their weight was 66 
grains, and their value 16.73 cents. They bore a profile bust of Lord Balti- 
more, an escutcheon with his arms and the figure XII denoting the value. 
There was also the Bermuda shilling or Hogge penny, one of the earliest 
coins used in America. — As a money of account the shilling, like the pound, 
varied much in value from colony to colony. In New England and Virginia 
the shilling equalled, in 1790, a sixth part of the Spanish or Mexican silver 
dollar; in New York and North Carolina an eighth; in New Jersey, Penn- 
sylvania, Delaware and Maryland two-fifteenths; in South Carolina and 
Georgia three-fourteenths. 

Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., the most important of the battles 
between the western armies during the Civil War, resulting in frightful loss 



598 Dictionary of United States History. 

of life on both sides. This fight lasted two days, April 6 and 7, 1862, the 
Confederates being forced to retreat on the afternoon of the second day. 
Grant commanded the Federals, numbering 40,000, and expected 7000 more 
under Buell to join him. His line extended two miles along Lick Creek, 
Prentiss holding the left, McCleraand the centre and William T. Sherman 
the right. The Confederates, 45,000 strong, were led by Albert Sidney 
Johnston with Beauregard, Bragg and Hardee as his chief lieutenants. 
Johnston, confident of success, began the attack by falling heavily upon 
Sherman's and McClernand's divisions. These generals gave way, but the 
Confederates sustained great losses. In the afternoon Johnston was shot 
and Beauregard assumed command of the Confederates. An opening in 
Prentiss' ranks enabled the Confederates to gain a considerable advantage 
the first day. The next morning Grant, now joined by Buell, assumed the 
■offensive. Throughout the day the advantage lay with the Federals. A 
■charge led by Grant himself in the afternoon began the rout, but the roads 
■were too rough to permit of pursuit. The Federal losses were about 13,500, 
.the Confederate about 14,000. 

Shimonoseki, a town of Japan commanding the straits leading from the 
inland sea to the Sea of Japan. June 25, 1863, the American steamer Pem- 
broke was fired upon by the Japanese for attempting to enter the straits, 
-which had been ordered closed by the Mikado. July 16, the United States 
ship " Wyoming " destroyed two vessels and attacked the batteries in retalia- 
tion. September 5, 1864, a combined squadron of American, British, 
Prench and Dutch ships attacked the forts and destroyed them. The Mikado 
-was forced to pay an immense indemnity to each nation, the United States 
Teceiving $785,000. This sum, vastly beyond the real damage, was paid 
1864-1874. In 1883 it was returned to Japan, but without the interest. 

Shipbuilding. This was in the colonial period one of the foremost 
branches of manufacturing industrs' in the colonies, especially in New Eng- 
land. In Massachusetts the business began in the first years. In 1698 it 
-was enacted that no vessel of more than thirty tons should be built save 
under the supervision of a competent shipwright. The first schooner, an 
American invention, was built at Gloucester, in 1713. The American ships 
competed powerfully with those of England, and were thought the best and 
cheapest in the world. They formed America's chief manufacture for export. 

Shiras, George, of Pennsylvania, was born in 1832, and was appointed to 
succeed Justice Bradley in the U. S. Supreme Court in 1892. 

Shires. In 1643 the General Court of Massachusetts Bay colony ordered 
that the whole colony, which then included the present State of New Hamp- 
shire, be divided into four "shires": Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk. 
In all the colonies the name was used for " county." 

Shirley, William (1693-1771), Governor, came to Massachusetts from 
Eno-land in 1734. He was Royal Governor of Massachusetts from 1741 to 
1749. He planned the successful expedition against Cape Breton in 1745. 
He was again Governor of Massachusetts from 1753 to 1756, and was com- 
mander of the forces in British North America at the outbreak of the French 
War in 1755. 



Dictionary of United States History. 599 

Shogeoquady Creek (near Buffalo). A British force which had crossed 
the Niagara to capture American batteries and vessels was here defeated 
with heavy loss, August 3, 1814, by the Americans under Major Morgan. 

Shoshones, or Snake Indians, consisted of various bands, chief among 
which were the Buffalo Eaters, on Wind River, and the Tookarika, on the 
Salmon. Some of the bands near Humboldt River and Great Salt Lake 
began hostilities in 1849. In 1862 California volunteers nearly exterminated 
the Hokandikah. Treaties with various bands followed in 1863, 1864 and 
1865. Hostilities were afterward renewed for a period. The Government 
attempted to collect the whole nation, and they were assigned various reser- 
vations. 

Shubrick, William B. (1790-1874), served on the "Constitution" in the 
defence of Norfolk and in the capture of the British ships " Cyane " and 
" Levant " in the War of 181 2. He commanded the Pacific squadron during 
the Mexican War. 

Shute, Samuel, (1653-1742) was colonial Governor of Massachusetts from 
1716 to 1723. He was continuously engaged in controversy with the Legis- 
lature regarding the prerogative. 

Siam. Treaties of amity and commerce were concluded between the 
United States and Siam in 1833 and 1856, the latter of which was modified 
in 1867. The liquor traffic was regulated by an agreement in 1884. 

Sibley, Henry H. (1811-1891), was a delegate from Wisconsin Territory 
to Congress in 1849. ^^ represented Minnesota in the U. S. Congress as a 
Democrat from 1849 to 1853, and was Governor in 1858. 

Sibley, Henry H. (1816-1886) engaged in the important operations during 
the Mexican War. He commanded the Confederate forces which defeated 
Colonel Canby at Valverde, in New Mexico. He subsequently commanded 
a brigade under General Taylor and General Smith. 

Sibley, John L. (1804-1885) was assistant librarian' at Harvard from 1841 
to 1856 and librarian from 1856 to 1877. He published "Biographical 
Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University," in three volumes. 

Sickles, Daniel Edgar, born in 1823, was prior to the war a lawyer. Demo- 
cratic member of the New York Legislature, Secretary of Legation at Lon- 
don, and Congressman from 1857 to 1861. He had command of a brigade in 
the Peninsula campaign and at Antietam, a division at Fredericksburg, and 
a corps at Chancellorsville and at Gettysburg, where his services were con- 
spicuous. .\fter the war he was sent abroad on a mission, and retired from 
the army with the rank of major-general in 1869. From 1869 to 1873 he was 
U. S. Minister to Spain. In 1893 he re-entered the House of Representa- 
tives as a Democrat from New York City. 

Sigel, Franz, general, born in 1824, was prominent in the insurrection in 
Baden in 1848 and 1849. He came to the United States in 1852. He 
ardently upheld the National cause during the Civil War. He captured 
Camp Jackson in Missouri, fought the battle of Carthage, and was second in 



6oo Dictionary of Unitkd States History. 

command at Wilson's Creek in 1861. He commanded the right wing at 
Pea Ridge in 1862, and led a corps at Cedar Creek and the second battle of 
Bull Run. He was defeated by General Breckinridge at New Market in 
1864. 

'• Signers." (See Declaration of Independence, and Convention of 1787.) 

Sigourney, Lydia H. (1791-1865), of Connecticut, was a writer of grace- 
ful prose and poetry of elevated moral tone. She wrote " Traits of the 
Aborigines of America " and " Pocahontas." 

Silliman, Benjamin (1779-1864), "The Nestor of American Science," pro- 
fessor in Yale College from 1802 to 1853, founded the "American Journal 
of Science " in 1818, and was sole editor until 1838. He exerted his influence 
for the Union and the abolition of slavery. 

Silver. Under the law of April 2, 1792, first of the coinage laws, the ratio 
between silver and gold was made one to fifteen. Silver bullion could be 
presented for coinage into lawful monej', 1485 parts pure to 179 parts alloy, 
one-ninth being retained for coinage expense. The law of March 3, 1795, 
caused two cents per ounce to be charged for coining silver bullion below 
the standard. April 21, 1800, it was enacted that a sum equivalent to the 
expense of refining should be retained for coining silver below the standard. 
May 19, 1S28, the law provided for coining silver below the standard a charge 
equal to expense of materials and a charge for wastage. June 28, 1834, a 
certain deduction (one-half per cent) was made for coining standard silver, 
if paid in coin five days after deposit. January 18, 1837, the standard silver 
coin was made nine-tenths pure and one-tenth alloy, and silver coins were to 
be legal tender for any amount. The dollar weighed 412}^ grains. By the 
law of Februarys 21, 1853, the weight of the half dollar was reduced from 
206 J4^ to 192 grains, and it was made legal tender to the amount of only $5. 
No private deposits for such coinage were to be received, but the mint was to 
purchase bullion and turn out coins to be exchanged with gold at par value 
in sums not exceeding" $100. February 12, 1873, the law made the weight 
of the trade dollar 420 grains, the half dollar 193.75 grains. Silver bullion 
could be deposited for coinage into trade dollars only, and the mint was 
to purchase TduIHou for the coinage of coins less than $1.00. By the law 
of July 22, 1877, the trade dollar ceased to be a legal tender. By the law of 
February 28, 1878, silver dollars of the weight of 412}^ grains were made 
legal tender for all debts and the treasury was to purchase and coin not less 
than $2,000,000 worth of bullion per month and not more than $4,000,000. 
June 2, 1879, silver coins less than $1.00 were made legal tender to the 
amount of $10. By the law of July 14, 1890, the Secretary of the Treasury 
was directed to purchase at market price silver bullion to the amount of 
4,500,000 ounces per month, issuing in payment treasury notes, to be a legal 
tender for debt. So much bullion was to be coined as might redeem these 
notes, and the Act of 1878 was repealed. In 1893 the silver-purchase clause 
of this act was repealed. (For the history of the individual silver coins see 
Dollar, Trade Dollar, Half Dollar, Quarter Dollar, Twenty-Cent Piece, Dime, 
Five-Cent Piece and Three-Cent Piece.) 



Dictionary of United States History. 6oi 

Silver, Production of. The silver mines of the United States were dis- 
covered in 1859. The production rose to $2,000,000 in 1861; to $11,250,000 
in 1865; to $16,000,000 in 1870; to $32,000,000 in 1875; to $38,500,000 in 
1880; to $51,600,000 in 1885, and to $75,000,000 in 1892. 

Silver Greys, a nickname applied to the conservative element of the 
Whig party, because many of them withdrew from a meeting owing to a 
disagreeable measure. Some one remarked: " There go the ' Silver Greys,' " 
(the\- were gray-haired respectabilities), and the expression became a sobri- 
quet. 

Simcoe, John G. (1752-1806), came to America as a British soldier and 
commanded a regiment at Brandywine. He organized the " Queen's Ran- 
gers," which were active in the South and surrendered with Cornwallis at 
Yorktown. 

Simms, William Gilmore (1806— 1870), of South Carolina, wrote a num- 
ber of poems, the best of which is "Atlantis, a Tale of the Sea." He is 
best known for his romances, illustrative of Southern life, and founded on 
Revolutionary and border incidents in South Carolina. Life by Trent. 

Sims Case (1851), a famous fugitive slave case, which illustrates a com- 
mon method of the seizure of negroes under the law of 1850. Sims was 
arrested in Boston on a false charge, and immediately claimed as the property 
of a Mr. Potter, of Virginia. He was sent back to Virginia on a certificate 
signed by the United States Commissioner, despite the intense indignation 
of the people, which ran so high that the court house was surrounded with 
chains and guarded by a company of armed men called afterward " Sims 
Brigade." 

Simsbury, Conn., worthy of note because of the old copper mine which 
was used as a prison for captured Tories by the colonial sympathizers during 
the Revolution. The prison was used until 1827. 

Sinking Fund. A sinking fund was created.by act of August 12, 1790, to 
apply the surplus of income from imports and tonnage to the reduction of 
the debt. An act of 1795 put the entire matter of the public debt and its 
extinction in the hands of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund. 

Sioux, or Dakota Indians, first dwelt near the head waters of the Missis- 
sippi. Later several bands wandered to the Missouri, and some remained 
near the St. Peter's. They aided the P)uglish in 181 2, but soon after made 
peace with the Government. In 1837 they ceded to the United States all 
their lands east of the Mississippi, and in 1S51 made further grants. Hostili- 
ties arose in 1854, but the Indians were defeated in 1855, and peace followed. 
In 1862 a general uprising took place, and a large number of whites and 
Indians were killed. They were finally conquered, and many bands fled to 
Dakota. In 1863 the Minnesota Sioux were removed to Crow Creek, and 
some bands fled to British territory. A few bands continued hostilities. An 
unsatisfactory treaty was made with the Sioux by General Sherman in 1868. 
Sitting Bull and other chieftains were unreconciled. May 15, 1876, General 
Custer and iioo men were destroyed at Little Big Horn River by a force of 
9000 Sioux. 



6o2 Dictionary of United States History. 

Sitka, or New Archangel, capital of Alaska, was settled in 1799 by Bara- 
noff, but dates its growth from the time of the transference of the territory 
to the United States (1867). 

Sitting Bull (1837-1890), was chief of the Sioux Indians who massacred 
General Custer's party on Little Big Horn River in 1876. He escaped to 
Canada, but surrendered in 1880. 

Six Nations. (See Iroquois.) 

" Skinners," bands of marauders, adherents of the American cause, who 
infested what was known as the neutral ground in New York State during 
the Revolution. They were continually skirmishing with the " Cowboys," 
tlie British camp followers and adherents. 

Slater, John F. (1815-1884), of Norwich, Conn., gained a large fortune 
in cotton manufacturing. He contributed the Slater Fund of $1,000,000 
for the education of freedmen in the South. 

Slater, Samuel (i 768-1 835), came to America from England in 1789 to 
introduce cottou machinery in the American States. His machinery was 
constructed from memory, as communication of models of English machin- 
ery was forbidden. He started his new cotton-spinning machinery at Paw- 
tucket, R. I., in 1790, which was the beginning of cotton manufacture in 
America. He established mills at Webster and Slaterville, Mass. 

Slaughter House Cases, three in number (at first five, but two dismissed 
on compromise). These cases arose out of an act of the Louisiana Legis- 
lature of 1869 to protect the health of New Orleans and to incorporate the 
"Crescent City Live-stock, Landing and Slaughter House Compan}'." The 
Butchers' Benevolent Association of New Orleans protested against this act 
as creating a monopoly. Suit was also brought against the State by Paul 
Esteben and others, on ground that their business was injured. It was 
claimed by the plaintiffs that the creation of a monopoly of this sort by a 
State's Legislature was directly opposed to that clause of the Fourteenth 
Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits State Legislatures from 
enforcing laws " which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of the 
citizens of the United States." The Supreme Court of Louisiana decided 
that this act did not conflict with the Fourteenth Amendment, and the 
Supreme Court of the United States confirmed the decision, thus decidedly 
limiting the scope of that Amendment. 

Slave Representation. One of the chief subjects of dispute in the Con- 
vention of 1787, as in the case of previous attempts to make a constitution, 
was that of representation of that part of the population of certain States 
which consisted of slaves. It was contended on the one hand that, being 
persons, they should be represented, and on the other hand that, being 
property, they should be made the object of taxation. The compromise 
which was reached, and which continued in force until the abolition of 
slavery, provided that, for purposes of reckoning alike a State's proportion 
of representatives and its proportion of direct taxes, its population should 
be computed by adding to the whole number of free persons, exclusive of 



Dictionary of United States History. 603 

untaxed Indians, " three-fifths of all other persons," i. c, of slaves. This 
mode of counting population was first suggested in 1783, by the Conti- 
nental Congress, as a basis for the apportionment of contributions from 
the States, to be agreed upon as an amendment to the Articles of Confede- 
ration. 

Slave Trade. The importation of negro slaves into the American colo- 
nies began with the year 161 9, when a Dutch vessel brought a cargo of 
slaves into James River. In 1713, by the Treaty of Utrecht, Great Britain 
obtained the contract for supplying slaves to the Spanish West Indies. This 
stimulated the general slave trade. Some colonies desired to prohibit the 
importation of slaves, but Great Britain forced it upon them. Virginia 
passed several such acts, but they were vetoed. Pennsylvania passed bills 
prohibiting slave trading in 1712, 1714 and 1717, but they were vetoed. 
Massachusetts passed a similar bill in 1774, which was vetoed. It was pro- 
hibited by Rhode Island in 1774, by Connecticut the same year and by the 
non-importation covenant of the colonies October 24, 1774. It was forbid- 
den by nearly all the States during the Revolution. The slave trade ques- 
tion was an important one in the formation of the Constitution. The 
Southern States, except Virginia and Maryland, demanded it, hence it was 
compromised by allowing Congress to prohibit it after 1808. The act of 
March 22, 1794, prohibited the carrying of slaves by American citizens 
from one foreign country to another. That of May 10, 1800, allowed United 
States warships to seize vessels engaged in such traiUc. That of February 
28, 1803, prohibited the introduction of slaves into States which had for- 
bidden slavery. In 1808 the importation of slaves into the United States 
was forbidden. The acts of .'\pril 20, 1818, and March 3, 1819, authorized 
the President to send cruisers to Africa to stop the slave trade. Various 
projects for renewing the trade arose in the fifties. It was in reality never 
given up until 1865. No restrictions were placed upon domestic slave 
trading. 

Slave Trade Tribunals. By the treaty of 1862 with Great Britain 
respecting the slave trade, it was agreed that when vessels suspected of being 
engaged in that traffic were detained by public vessels of either government, 
they should be brought for trial before one of three mixed courts established 
for that purpose at Sierra Leone, the Cape of Good Hope and New York. 
That at New York was, as the treaty permitted, removed to Washington, 
where it was reckoned a branch of the Department of the Interior. By the 
treaty of 1870 the system was abolished. 

Slavery. Slaver>- in the American colonies began with the importation 
of a cargo of slaves into Virginia by a Dutch ship in 1619. In the other 
colonies it was gradually introduced. The slave trade was favored by the 
British Government during the eighteenth century. IMeantime a sentiment 
unfavorable to it began to develop in the colonies. The Germantown 
Quakers drew up a memorial against it in 1688, Boston town-meeting in 
1701. Woolman and other Quakers preached against it. Slaves were few 
ill the North, but numerous in the South, where their increase and the dan- 
ger felt from them caused severe laws respecting them. The Revolution, as 



6o4 Dictionary of United States History. 

a movement for liberty, with its declaration proclaiming all men free and 
equal, joined with the humanitarian spirit of the close of the century to 
increase anti-slaverj- sentiment. The Northern States either abolished slav- 
ery or provided for gradual emancipation. All the States but the southern- 
most forbade the importation of slaves from abroad. But the sentiment soon 
declined. In the Constitution of 1787, States were given representation in 
the House of Representatives for three-fifths of their slaves, and Congress 
was forbidden to prohibit the slave trade until 1808. The invention of the 
cotton-gin made slave labor more profitable than ever before, and the South 
began to defend slavery as a positive good, in spite of its obvious economic 
disadvantages. Abolition societies, first formed about 1793, languished after 
1808. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 arranged that the area west of the 
Mississippi and north of 36° 30' should not be open to slavery', except in the 
case of Missouri. The Ordinance of 1787 had forbidden slavery in the 
region north of the Ohio. The American Colonization Society tried to pal- 
liate the evils of slavery by emancipation and deportation. About 1830 the 
agitation against slaver>' took on a more ardent phase, and henceforth for 
thirty years slavery was the most absorbing of political themes. Slave labor 
demanded more and more new land, and the Government was led to the 
annexation of Texas and the war with Mexico largely by this need. After 
bitter disputes, the territory so acquired was thrown open to slavery if the 
settlers desired it; this was done by the Compromise of 1850. The Kansas- 
Nebraska Act of 1854 extended the same permission to territory north of 
36° 30', repealing the Missouri Compromise; and the Supreme Court (case 
of Dred Scott) sustained such repeal. The question of slavery in the terri- 
tories proved the crucial question. Many in the North who had no desire 
for the abolition of slavery in States where it was already existent and legal 
were unwilling to see it extended, while slave-owners claimed Constitutional 
right to protection of their property in slaves, as essential if they were to 
have any share in the common territories. The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 
and the unwillingness of Northern people to execute it assisted to precipi- 
tate conflict. Finally, in i860, the election of Lincoln was taken by the 
South as proof that their claims were to be disregarded, and secession and 
Civil War resulted. As a means of crushing rebellion, President Lincoln, 
on January' i, 1863, issued his Emancipation Proclamation. The Thirteenth 
Amendment (1865) abolished slaver}'. — In 1790 there were 698,000 slaves in 
the United States (40,000 in the North, 293,000 in Virginia, 107,000 in 
South Carolina, 103,000 in Maryland, 101,000 in North Carolina); in 1800, 
894,000; in 1810, 1,191,000; in 1820, 1,538,000; in 1830, 2,009,000; in 
1840, 2,487,000; in 1850, 3,204,000; in i860, 3,954,000, the last being about 
one-fourth of the total population of the Southern States. 

Slidell, John (born about 1793, died 1871), a Louisiana lawyer, and Con- 
gressman from that State in 1843-45. He was sent as L^. S. Minister to 
Mexico in 1845, but was not received. From 1853 to 1861 he was a prominent 
member of the U. S. Senate, on the State-rights side. Having joined the 
Confederacy, Slidell was despatched as commissioner to France. With the 
other Confederate commissioner. Mason, he was seized en route by the 
American naval commander, Wilkes. (See Trent Affair.) Having been 



Dictionary of United States History. 605 

released, he continued his voyage to France, but did not induce the Gov- 
ernment to side openly with the South. He settled in England after the 
war. 

Slocum, Henry Warner (i 827-1894), graduated at West Point in 1852. He 
was a colonel in the first battle of Bull Run, and continued with the Army 
of the Potomac as brigade and division commander, serving in the Peninsula 
and Antietam campaigns. In the great contests of Fredericksburg, Chan- 
cellorsville and Gettysburg he had charge of a corps, and in the last-named 
struggle he directed the right wing. As commander of the left wing he 
made the march with Sherman to the sea and through the Carolinas. He 
was a Congressman from New York 1869-1873 and 1885-1887, and was 
at different times mentioned as Democratic candidate for President. 

Smalley, George W., born in 1833, won distinction as a war correspond- 
ent of the Nezc York Tribune during the Civil War, and has for some years 
past been its representative in England. 

Small-Pox. This disease raged at Boston in 1722-24. Cotton Mather 
advised the Turkish method of inoculation, and asked Dr. Zabdiel Boyl- 
ston to make a trial of it. It was generally opposed by government and 
people, and Mather had a grenade thrown through his window in conse- 
quence. 

Smallwood, William (i 732-1 792), commanded the Maryland battalion at 
Brooklyn Heights, White Plains, Fort Washington and Germantown. He 
distinguished himself at Camden. He was Governor of Maryland from 
1785 to 1788. 

Smith, Andrew J., born in 1S15, commanded a Federal brigade at Corinth, 
Yicksburg and Pleasant Hill. He commanded the force which captured 
Fort de Russy and a corps at Nashville and Mobile. 

Smith, Buckingham (1810-1871), was U. S. Secretary of Legation in 
Mexico from 1850 to 1852, and at Madrid from 1855 to 1858. He made 
valuable researches concerning the colonial history of Florida and Louisi- 
ana. 

Smith, Caleb B., (1808-1864), represented Indiana in the U. S. Congress 
as a Whig from 1843 ^^o 1849. He was Secretary of the Interior in Lincoln's 
Cabinet from 1861 to 1862, when he became a U. S. District Judge. 

Smith, Charles Emory, born in 1842, became editor of the Albany 
Express in 1865, and of the Albany Jourttal in 1870. Since 1880 he has 
conducted the Philadelphia Press. He was Minister to Russia from 1890 to 
1892. 

Smith, Charles F. (1807-1862), was brevetted colonel for gallant service 
during the Mexican War. He fought at Monterey, Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, 
San Antonio, Contreras, Churubusco and the City of Mexico. The four 
companies in his command were known as " Smith's Light Battalion." He 
was assigned command in Kentucky at the outbreak of the Civil War, and 
distinguished himself by his skill. He fought at Fort Henry and led a 



6o6 Dictionary of United States History. 

division at Fort Donelsoii, whicli stormed and captured the high ground 
which commanded the fort. He died while preparing to advance upon 
Shiloh. 

Smith, Edmund Kirby (1824-1893), distinguished himself at Cerro Gordo 
and Contreras during the Mexican War. He was appointed brigadier- 
general in the Confederate army, fought at Bull Run in 1861, led the 
advance in General Bragg's Kentucky campaign, defeated the National forces 
at Richmond, Ky., and fought at Perryville and Murfreesboro. In 1863 he 
received command of the Trans-Mississippi Department, where he organized 
a government, established factories for supplying the troops with muni- 
tions of war, and rendered the district self-supporting. His forces were the 
last to surrender in the Civil War. 

Smith, Erasmus P. (1814-1882), was adviser in international law to the 
Mikado of Japan from 1871 to 1876. He has published a " Political Econ- 
omy," which is based on purely physical laws. 

Smith, Francis {ij20?-i'jgi), colonel, came to America as a British 
soldier, and commanded the troops sent to Concord in 1775. He fought at 
Lexington and Concord, and commanded a brigade at Long Island, and at 
Quaker Hill in 1778. 

Smith, Gerrit (1797-1874), was prominent for his philanthropy in every 
good cause. He represented New York in the U. S. Congress as an Ultra- 
Abolitionist from 1853 to 1854. He identified himself with the anti-slavery 
party, and did all in his power for emancipation. He contributed liberally 
to the national cause during the Rebellion. He signed the bail-bond of 
Jefferson Davis with Horace Greeley. 

Smith, Goldwin, born in 1823, came to America from England in 1868, 
and settled in Canada in 1871. He had been a prominent champion of the 
U. S. Government during the Civil War. He has advocated the annexation 
of Canada to the United States. He has written "The Civil War in 
America," " Experience of the American Commonwealth," and " The United 
States, an Outline of Political History " (1893). 

Smith, Green C, born in 1832, commanded a regiment at Lebanon, Tenn. 
He represented Kentucky in the U. S. Congress as a Unionist from 1863 t& 
1866, and was Governor of Montana from 1866 to 1869. In 1876 he was 
the Presidential candidate of the Prohibition party. Died 1895. 

Smith, Hoke, born in 1855, organized and became president of the 
Atlanta, Ga., Evening Journal in 1887. He became Secretar\' of the 
Interior in Cleveland's Cabinet in 1893. 

Smith, James (i720?-i8o6), came to America from Ireland in 1729. He 
raised the first Pennsylvania company in 1774 for resisting Great Britain. 
He aided the patriotic cause by " An Essay on the Constitutional Power of 
Great Britain over the Colonies in America." He represented Pennsylvania 
in the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1778, and signed the Declaration 
of Independence. 



Dictionary of United States History. 607 

Smith, John (1579-1632), a noted explorer and historical writer, was of 
English birth, and led a most adventurous early life. He traveled exten- 
sively, though the narratives of his various exploits are somewhat apocry- 
phal. He was in the Netherlands, fought against the Turks, and joined 
Newport's expedition, which founded Virginia in 1607. In the outward 
voyage Smith was imprisoned. He soon after his release became the prac- 
tical head of the struggling colony. He explored the Chickahominy region 
and was taken prisoner by Powhatan (to which epoch belongs the famous 
Pocahontas legend). The next year he made a long exploration of the 
Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. He was president of the colony, but in 
1609 met with an accident and returned to England. In 1614 he was on 
the New England coast, engaged in discoveries. He wrote voluminously, 
but is suspected of romantic exaggeration and coloring. His chief works 
were: " A True Relation," " Generall Historic of Virginia," and a " Descrip- 
tion of New England." 

Smith, John (1735-1816), represented Ohio in the U. S. Senate as a Dem- 
ocrat from 1803 to 1808. He was charged with being connected with Burr 
and Blennerhasset, but it was not proved. 

Smith, John Cotton (1765-1845), was a member of the Connecticut Legis- 
lature from 1796 to 1800, and represented Connecticut in the U. S. Congress 
as a Federalist from 1800 to 1806. He was Judge of the State Supreme 
Court in 1809, Lieutenant-Governor in 1810 and Governor from 1813 to 
1818. He was president of the American Bible Society from 1831 to 
1845. 

Smith, John E., bom in 1816, led a regiment at Forts Henry and Donelson, 
and at Shiloh and Corinth. He commanded a division in the Vicksburg 
campaign and fought also at Missionary Ridge. 

Smith, Joseph (1805-1844), claimed to have visions of a new religious 
faith about 1823, and from the revelations he produced the Book of Mor- 
mon. A church was founded in 1830, and in 1831 they emigrated from 
New York to Kirtland, Ohio, thence to Missouri. They were driven away 
by the citizens in 1838 and settled Nauvoo, 111. The colony increased 
rapidly, and a charter was obtained. Smith gained almost unlimited power, 
and in 1843 sought to establish polygamy as an essential feature of their 
religion. Dissensions occurred and Smith was arrested. A mob surrounded 
the jail, and he was shot. 

Smith, Joshua Toulmin (1816-1869), of England, visited America from 
1837 to 1842, and published his " Discovery of America by the Northmen in 
the Tenth Century," which is regarded as an important authority. 

Smith, Melancthon (i 724-1 798), was a member of the first New York Pro- 
vincial Congress in 1775. In 1777 he was a commissioner for detecting and 
defeating conspiracies in the State. He was a delegate from New York to 
the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1788. In the New York convention 
in 1788 to consider the ratification of the Constitution, he supported the 
Anti-Federal party. 



6o8 Dictionary of United States History. 

Smith, Melancthon, born in 1810, commanded the " Massachusetts " at the 
capture of Biloxi. He destroyed the Confederate ram " Manassas " when 
commanding the " Mississippi " at New Orleans, and served at Port Hudson 
and Fort Fisher. 

Smith, Meriwether (i 730-1 790), was a member of the Virginia House 
of Burgesses in 1770 and of the Revolutionary conventions of 1775 and 
1776. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1778 to 1782, 
and a member of the convention that ratified the Federal Constitution in 

1788. 

Smith, Morgan L. (1822-1874), fought at Forts Henry and Donelson, and 
led a brigade at Shiloh and Corinth. He commanded a division at Vicks- 
burg, ^lissionary Ridge, Kuoxville and Chattanooga. 

Smith, Nathan (i 762-1 822), represented Connecticut in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Federalist from 1795 to 1799. He was a Judge of the Connecticut 
Supreme Court from 1806 to 1819. He was a leader at the Hartford conven- 
tion in 1814. 

Smith, Persifer F. (1798-1858), served with distinction throughout the 
Mexican War, commanding a brigade at Monterey, Churubusco, Contreras, 
Chapultepec and the City of Mexico. He was commissioner of armistice 
with Mexico in 1847. 

Smith, Richard, born in 1823, came to America from Ireland in 1841. 
He became an editor of the Cincinnati Gazette in 1854, and in 1880 vice- 
president of the consolidated Gazette and Commercial^ and has had an 
important part in politics. 

Smith, Robert (i 757-1 842), of Maryland, served as a volunteer at the 
battle of Brandywine. He was one of the Presidential electors in 1789, and 
was the last surviving member. He served in the Maryland Senate in 1793, 
and v/as a member of the House of Delegates from 1796 to 1800. He was 
Secretary of the Navy in Jefferson's Cabinet from 1802 to 1805, and though 
appointed Attorney-General in 1805, really served as Secretary of the Navy 
from 1805 to 1809. He was Secretary of State in Madison's Cabinet from 
1809 to 181 1, when he was succeeded by Monroe. 

Smith, Samuel (1752-1839), of Maryland, fought at Long Island, Harlem 
and White Plains, and was distinguished at Brandywine and Fort Mifflin, 
which he commanded. He also fought at Monmouth. He represented 
Maryland in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1793 to 1803, in the 
U. S. Senate from 1803 to 1815, and again in the House from 1816 to 1822. 
He was again U. S. Senator from 1833 to 1835. He attempted, with his 
brother Robert, to control Madison's administration. 

Smith, Samuel F., of Massachusetts, bom in 1808, is the author of the 
national hymn, "My Country, 'tis of Thee." Died 1895. 

Smith, Thomas K. (1820-1887), commanded a Federal regiment at Pitts- 
burgh Landing, Corinth and Vicksburg. He led a division in the Red River 

expedition in 1863. 



Dictionary of United States History. 609 

Smith, Truman (i 791 -1884), represented Connecticut in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Whig from 1839 to 1843 ^^^ from 1845 to 1849, and in the U. S. 
Senate from 1S49 to 1854. 

Smith, WiUiam (1762-1840), represented South Carolina in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1797 to 1799. He was a circuit judge from 
1799 to 1816. He served in the South Carolina Senate from 1806 to 1808. 
He was a U. S. Senator from 1817 to 1823 ^^'^ from 1826 to 1831. He was 
a strict State-rights advocate, but opposed nullification. 

Smith, \A^illiam (1796-1887), represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1841 to 1843. He was Governor of Virginia from 1845 
to 1848, and again a Congressman from 1853 to 1861. 

Smith, William F., born in 1824, was engaged at the battle of Bull Run 
on the staff of General McDowell. He commanded a division at Yorktown, 
Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage Station and Malvern Hill in 1862. He 
led a division at South Mountain and Antietam. He commanded a corps at 
Fredericksburg. He engaged in the operations about Chattanooga in 1863, 
and fought at Missionary Ridge. He rendered valuable services by placing 
a bridge across the Tennessee at Brown's Ferry, which made possible the 
victories at Chattanooga. He commanded a corps at Cold Harbor and 
Petersburg in 1864, and has written extensively on the war. 

Smith College, Northampton, Mass., a college for girls founded by Sophia 
Smith, was chartered in 1871, but opened first in 1875. 

Smithson, James (i 754-1 829), of England, bequeathed his estate of 
$500,000 for founding the Smithsonian Institution which was erected at 
Washington in 1846 "for the increase and difflision of knowledge among 
men." 

Smithsonian Institution, a scientific establishment in Washington, was 
organized by Act of Congress August, 1846, under the provisions of the 
will of James Smithson, which bequeathed $515,169 to the United States 
Government. 

Smuggling. The British navigation laws and laws protective to manufac- 
tures caused bold and extensive smuggling throughout the colonies during 
the latter part of the seventeenth and half of the eighteenth centuries. 
Respectable merchants and prominent public men felt no qualms of con- 
science in cheating the revenue officers by illicit trade with pirates and with 
West India merchants. New York was the principal port for smugglers, 
though Boston, Philadelphia and Charleston were also enriched by smuggled 
goods. Governor Bellomont, of New York, found in 1700, that a " lycen- 
cious trade with pyrats, Scotland and Curasao " had sprung up and the prov- 
ince of New York " grew rich, but the customes, they decreased." All this 
led to the attempt of the British Government to enforce the Acts of Trade, 
which did much to precipitate the Revolution. 

Smyth, Alexander (1765-1830), came to America from Ireland in 1775. 
He represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1817 to 
1825 and from 1827 to 1830. He wrote "Regulations for the Infantry." 

39 



6io Dictionary of United States History. 

Socialistic Labor Party, organized at Baltimore by a congress of social- 
ists in 1883. A manifesto was issued setting forth their demands and prin- 
ciples, both being moderate. The party is composed of local sections in 
nearly every city, these sections being divided into branches. 

Softs, or Softshells, the name given to a faction of the Democratic party 
in New York from 1852 to i860, partly identical with the " barnburners " of 
the preceding period, and disinclined to alliance with the pro-slavery democ- 
racy of the South. 

Sojourner Truth (1775-1883), was freed from slavery in New York in 
1 81 7. She was an effective lecturer upon politics, temperance, women's 
rights and slavery. 

Soley, James Russell, born in 1850, professor at Annapolis, has superin- 
tended the governmental publication of the naval records of the Civil War 
since 1883. He has been Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1890 to 1893. 
He published "The Boys of 1812," the "Autobiography of Commodore 
Morris," and several books of naval history. 

Somers, Richard (1778-1804), was given command of the "Nautilus" in 
Preble's squadron during the Tripolitan War from 1803 to 1804. He 
commanded a division of gunboats, and was distinguished for gallantry. 
He attempted to destroy the Tripolitan fleet by exploding a bomb-vessel in 
their midst. All on board were killed by the premature explosion of the 
vessel. 

Sommersett Case. Sommersett was a slave, brought to London from 
Boston in October, 1769. In October, 1771, he escaped from his master, but 
was soon secured and brought before Lord Mansfield. The negro was dis- 
charged on the ground that in England slavery could exist only by positive 
law, and in the absence of such law a person could not be deprived of liberty 
on the ground that he was a slave. This decision determined the future 
course of England in the delivery of fugitives. 

Sonoma, a Californian stronghold, taken June 14, 1846, without an engage- 
ment, by Ezekiel Merritt and twenty American soldiers of Captain Fremont's 
command. It is to be remembered in connection with the Bear Flag revolt 
in California, partially incited by Fremont. The fort, at the time of its 
capture, was ungarrisoned, being inhabited only by Colonel Vallejo, an old 
Mexican officer. 

Sons of the American Revolution, a society of the male descendants of 
soldiers, sailors and conspicuous patriots during the Revolution, originally 
organized in California July 4, 1876. It has now thirty State branches. 

Sons of Liberty. The name was first assumed by a society organized in 
Connecticut, in 1755, to advance theological liberty. Barre, in his speech 
in Parliament February 6, 1765, applied the words to the whole body of 
American patriots. They advocated non-importation, aided in the hanging 
in effigy of the stamp distributor, Oliver, in 1765, and proposed, in 1774, the 
organization of a Continental Congress. They embraced mainly the younger 
and more ardent element. 



Dictionary of United States History. 6ii 

Sons of the Revolution, an organization of the same nature as tlie Sons 
of tlie American Revolution, first established in New York in 1875. It has 
now seventeen State branches. 

Soule, Pierre (1802-1870), was driven from France on account of his 
extreme liberal ideas and his attacks on the ministry of Charles X. He 
came to the United States in 1826. After studying law at New Orleans, he 
represented Louisiana in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat in 1847 '^^^ from 
1849 to 1853. He was Minister to Spain from 1853 to 1855, and was one 
of the ministers who framed the celebrated " Ostend Manifesto" in 1854. 
He was an able and eloquent defender of the Southern cause while in public 
life. 

South, University of the, Sewanee, Tenn., was chartered by Episco- 
palians in 1858, but not opened for ten years on account of the war. The 
theological department was opened in 1876. 

South American Republics, Recognition of. As early as 1817 Henry 
Clay had ardently advocated in Congress the appropriation of money for 
sending an accredited minister to the self-liberated State of Buenos Ayres. 
His motion was, however, rejected. By 1822, through the efforts of Bolivar 
and other patriotic South American liberators, Chili, Peru, New Grenada 
and Venezuela had been practically freed from Spanish dominion. In March, 
1822, President Monroe, in a special message to Congress, recommended the 
recognition of these republics and the establishment of international relations 
with them. Congress passed an almost unanimous resolution to this effect 
in the same year, and by 1825 arrangements had been made for an exchange 
of ministers. 

South Carolina was one of the original thirteen States of the American 
Union. It was partially explored by the Spaniards in 1525, who named it 
Chicora. French Huguenots under Ribaut attempted to plant a colony at 
Port Royal in 1562, but the colonists soon abandoned the undertaking and 
returned to France. In 1670 William Sayle and a party of Englishmen 
founded Charleston. Charles II. gave the territory' between 29° north lati- 
tude and 36° 30' north latitude to eight of his favorites (1663), ^"^ i'^ 1665 
he issued a charter to the proprietors by which the virtual control of the 
colony was placed in their hands. They employed Locke, the philosopher, 
to draw up a constitution which should provide an ideal government. 
Locke's Fundamental Constitutions, or the " Grand Model," attempted in 
vain to set up the feudal system and was formally abandoned by the pro- 
prietors in 1693. In 1700 the colony was separated from North Carolina, the 
boundary being fixed in 1732. South Carolina became a royal colony in 
1729. The Southern boundary caused a dispute with Georgia which was 
settled in 1787 in favor of Georgia. South Carolina then ceded her western 
territory, consisting of a strip twelve miles wide, to the general government. 
During the Revolution the important battles of Fort Moultrie, Cowpens, 
King's Mountain, Camden and Eutaw Springs were fought in South Caro- 
lina. The first constitution was made in 1776, the present in 1868. The 
National Constitution was ratified May 23, 1788, by a vote of 149 to 73. For 
some years the Federalists retained control of the State because of the 



6i2 Dictionary of United States History. 

wealth and influence of their leaders. In 1800 Pinckney refused the offer 
of the Democrats in the Legislature to choose electors favorable to Jefferson 
and himself and stood by his colleague, Adams, in his defeat. From this 
time the State was solidly Democratic. By the famous compromise of 1808 
the apportionment of representatives was made according to population and 
taxes. The State protested against the gross inequality of the tariff of 1828 
by the " South Carolina Exposition," in which the doctrine of nullification 
was defended. In 1832 the tariff of 1828, the " tariff of abominations," was 
modified, but the principle of protection still retained, whereupon South 
Carolina in convention at Columbia on November 24, 1832, declared the 
tariff acts of 1828 and 1832 null and void and prohibited payment of duties 
after February i, 1833. Henry Clay's compromise tariff was passed in 1833 
and at the same time a force bill became law; on March 11, 1833, the nulli- 
fication ordinance was repealed. South Carolina was the mother of secession 
and after 1850 she was ready to secede at any time when she could rely upon 
the aid of the other States. December 20, i860, an ordinance of secession 
was passed, to sustain which the State furnished 60,000 troops out of a popula- 
tion including only 47,000 voters. April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter was fired on. 
South Carolina was re-admitted June 25, 1868. From 1868 to 1873 the 
("carpet-bag") State government was exceedingly corrupt. In 1870 and 
1 87 1 the Ku Klux Klan aimed at the suppression of the negro vote by out- 
rage. In 1876 the Republicans carried the State in a disorderly election. 
Since that time the State has been steadily Democratic. The population 
of South Carolina in 1790 was 249,033; in 1890 it was 1,151,149. 

South Carolina, University of, at Columbia, was chartered as a college in 
1801, organized as a university in 1865. 

"South Carolina Gazette." There were four "gazettes" published in 
South Carolina during the early years of journalism. The first was estab- 
lished at Charleston, January 8, 1732, by Thomas Whitmarsh, it being the 
first newspaper of the colony. Publication was suspended within a year. 
In February, 1734, Lewis Timothy began in Charleston the second "gazette." 
This was suspended several times, and finally ceased to exist in 1800. Rob- 
ert Wells founded, in 1758, the third, called the South Carolina and Ajiicri- 
can General Gazette, jfublication suspended 1780. The fourth, called the 
South Carolina Gazette and Country Journal^ was published 1765, by Charles 
Crouch. Publication suspended at the Revolution. 

South Carolina Historical Society, founded at Charleston in 1855. It 
has a small library, including some important manuscripts. It has pub- 
lished three volumes of collections and a part of a fourth. 

South Company (Sodre Compagnie, Compagnia Australis, Snyder Com- 
pagnie, General-Handels-Compagnie). See Swedish West India Company. 

South Dakota was originally a part of the Louisiana cession. Before the 
settlement of the bouudar)' between the United States and Canada the terri- 
tory was under British rule. Dakota was organized as a territory' in 1861, 
and in 18S9, November 2, the two Dakotas were admitted as States. The 
manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors was prohibited by an act of 1890, 
The State is Republican. Its population in 1890 was 328,808. 



Dictionary of United States History. 613 

South Mountain, Md., an engagement, during Lee's expedition into 
Maryland, which continued throughout the day, September 14, 1862, 
between the main body of L,ee's anny and se-/eral divisions of Burnside's 
column of McClellan's army. Jackson had been dispatched by Lee to 
capture Harper's Ferry, he himself moving toward South Mountain, whither 
lie was pursued by McClellan's troops. The engagement was opened by an 
attempt by the Confederates, under Hill, to oppose the Union troops' passage 
of Catoctin Creek. This was unsuccessful, and the Confederates retired 
farther up the mountain, guarding all passages with batteries. Cox, Reno, 
Hooker and Ricketts forced their way up the right and left country roads 
and succeeded in carrying the eminence, outflanking the Confederates on the 
right and left. The latter were forced to retreat in the night, leaving their 
dead. 

South Sea. So near was the South Sea or Pacific Ocean thought to be 
to the Atlantic at the time of the granting of the colonial charters that 
several of them granted lands extending to the South Sea. Such were the 
charter of the Virginia Company, granted in 1609, and the charters of 
Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut and Carolina. 

Southampton, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of (i 573-1624), was active in 
the colonization of America, sending, among others, expeditions under Bar- 
tholomew Gosnold in 1602, and under Lord Arundel in 1605. He was 
treasurer {i. e., president) of the Virginia Company from 1620. 

Southampton Insurrection. (See Turner, Nat.) 

Southard, Samuel L. (1787-1842), represented New Jersey in the U. S. 
Senate as a Democrat from 1821 to 1823. He was Secretary of the Navy in 
the Cabinets of Monroe and Adams from 1823 to 1829. He was acting Sec- 
retary of the Treasury from IMarch to July in 1825, Governor of New Jersey 
in 1832, and a U. S. Senator from 1833 to 1842. 

Southwest Territory, a territory of the L^nited States, comprising all the 
region ceded by North Carolina (now Tennessee) and the narrow strip ceded 
by South Carolina. This was organized in 1790 as the Southwest Territory, 
with institutions resembling those of the Northwestern, except for the 
admission of slavery. With the admission of Tennessee in 1796 and the 
organization of the Mississippi Territory in 1798, this Territory went out of 
existence. 

Spaight, Richard Dobbs (i 758-1 802), was a delegate from North Caro- 
lina to the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1784, and to the Convention 
of 1787, and was a signer of the Constitution. He was Governor of North 
Carolina in 1792, and served in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1798 
to 1 801. 

Spain. Spain was an ally of France and the United States from 1778 to 
1782. From 1783 she possessed all to the south and west of the United 
States. By the treaty of October 27, 1795, between the United States and 
Spain, the southern boundary of the United States was defined, the naviga- 
tion of the Mississippi was granted, and New Orleans made a port of deposit. 



6i4 Dictionary of United .States History. 

A claims convention was concluded in 1802, but Spain did not ratify it until 
1818. The cession of Louisiana in 1803 and the occupation of West Florida 
in 1810 caused some trouble with Spain. By the treaty of 1819 the Floridas 
were ceded to the United States, and the Sabine agreed upon as the western 
boundary of Louisiana; the United States assumed claims of $5,000,000 due 
from Spain to United States citizens. Soon after, Mexico and the Central 
and South American States secured their independence of Spain. Claims 
conventions were concluded in 1834 and 1871. An extradition convention 
was concluded in 1877, which was amended by the convention of 1882. A 
reciprocity agreement was made February 13, 1884. A reciprocity treaty, 
relative to American trade with the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico, was 
concluded with Spain in 1891. 

Sparks, Jared (1789-1866), an American historical writer, was graduated 
at Harvard in 1815, and after a short experience as a Unitarian clergyman, 
became the editor of the North American Rcviciv in 1824; this position he 
held until 1831. Afterward he was professor in Harvard, and president of 
that college in 1849-1853, His voluminous works include the edition of 
the " Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution " in twelve 
volumes; the writings of Washington with a life, in twelve volumes; the 
" Library of American Biography " (of which Sparks himself wrote the 
lives of Arnold, Allen and others), an edition of Franklin's works, and a 
biography of Gouverneur Morris. His life and letters have been edited by 
H. B. Adams in 1893. 

Speaker. After the model of the English House of Commons, the popular 
branch of each colonial legislature had its speaker. When, at the time of 
the Revolution, the State constitutions were formed, some States gave this 
same title to the presiding officers of their upper houses. The Constitution 
of 1787 provides for the office of speaker of the House of Representatives, 
in saying "The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and 
other oflicers; " but that the Speaker should be, as he now is, the most 
important and influential official of the Federal Government, next after the 
President, was not contemplated by the framers of the Constitution. This 
has come about gradually, as a consequence of the development of the 
system of standing committees (see art. Committees) and of the entrusting 
of their appointment to the Speaker. The first speaker of the modem kind, 
more a leader of the House than a mere presiding officer, was Speaker Clay. 




John Lothrop Motley. 
Wm, H Prescott. 



AMERICAN HISTORIANS. 

Washington Irving. 
George Bancroft. 
Francis Parkman. 



John Fiske. 
Jared Sparks. 



Dictionary of United States History. 



615 



Speakers of the House of Representatives. The numbers at the left 
refer to the successive Congresses. 



bo 



o 
U 



I 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 

7 
8 

9 
10 

II 
12 

13a 

136 

14 

15 

1 6a 

166 

17 
18 

19 
20 
21 
22 

23a 

236 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 

39 
40 

41 
42 
43 

44" 
44* 
45 
46 

47 
48 

49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 



Name. 



F. A. Muhlenberg . 
Jonathan Trumbull 
F. A. Muhlenberg . 
Jonathan Dayton . 
Jonathan Dayton . 
Theodore Sedgwict 
NathanierMacon . 
Nathaniel Macon . 
Nathaniel Macon . 
Joseph B. Varnum . 
Joseph B. Varnum . 
Henry Clay .... 
Henry Clay .... 
Langdon Cheves . . 
Henry Clay .... 
Henry Clay .... 
Henry Clay .... 
John W. Taylor . . 
Philip P. Barbour . 
Henry Clay . . . 
John W. Taylor . . 
Andrew Stevenson . 
Andrew Stevenson . 
Andrew Stevenson . 
.Andrew Stevenson . 

John Bell 

Jaraes K. Polk . . 
James K. Polk . . 
Robert M. T. Hunter 
John White .... 
John W. Jones . . 
John W. Davis . . 
Robert C. Winthrop 
Howell Cobb . . . 
Linn Boyd .... 
Linn Boyd . . . 
Nathaniel P. Banks 
James L- Orr . . . 
William Pennington 
Galusha \. Grow 
Schuyler Colfax . 
Schuyler Colfax . 
Schuyler Colfax . 
James G. Blaine . 
James G. Blaine . 
James G. Blaine . 
Michael C. Kerr . 
Samuel J. Randall 
Samuel J. Randall 
Samuel J. Randall 
J. Warren Keifer 
John G. Carlisle . 
John G. Carlisle . 
John G. Carlisle . 
Thomas B. Reed . 
Charles F. Crisp . 
Charles F. Crisp . 
Thomas B. Reed . 



State. 



Pennsjlvania . 
Connecticut . . 
Pennsylvania . 
New Jersey . . 
New Jersey . . 
Massachusetts . 
North Carolina 
North Carolina 
North Carolina 
Massachusetts . 
Massachusetts . 
Kentucky . . . 
Kentucky . . . 
South Carolina 
Kentucky . . . 
Kentucky . . . 
Kentucky . . . 
New York . . 
Virginia . . . 
Kentucky . . . 
New York . . 
Virginia . . . 
Virginia . . . 
Virginia . . . 
Virginia . . . 
Tennessee . . . 
Tennessee . . . 
Tennessee . . . 
Virginia . . . 
Kentucky . . . 
Virginia . . . 
Indiana . . . 
Massachusetts . 
Georgia . . . . 
Kentucky . . . 
Kentucky . . . 
Massachusetts . 
South Carolina 
New Jersey . . 
Pennsylvania . 
Indiana . . . . 
Indiana . . . . 
Indiana . . . . 
Maine . . . . 
Maine . . . . 
Maine . . . . 
Indiana. . . . 
Pennsylvania . 
Pennsylvania . 
Pennsylvania . 

Ohio 

Kentucky . . . 
Kentucky . . . 
Kentucky . . . 
Maine . . . . 
Georgia . . . . 
Georgia . . . . 
Maine . . . . 



Term. 



April r, 1789, to March 4, 1791. 
October 24, 1791, to March 4, 1793. 
December 2, 1793, to March 4, 1795. 
December 7, 1795, to March 4, 1797. 
May 15, 1797, to March 4, 1799. 
December 2, 1799, to March 4, 1801. 
December 7, 1801, to March 4, 1803. 
October 17, 1803, to March 4, 1805. 
December 2, 1805, to March 4, 1807. 
October 26, 1807, to March 4, 1S09. 
May 22, 1809, to March 4, 181 1. 
November 4, 1811, to March 4, 1813. 
May 24, 1813, to January 19, 1814. 
January 19, 1814, to March 4, 1815. 
December 4, 1815, to March 4, 1817. 
December i, 1S17, to March 4, 1819. 
December 6, 1819, to May 15, 1S20. 
November 15, 1820, to March 4, 1821. 
December 4, 1821, to March 4, 1823. 
December i, 1823, to March 4, 1825. 
December 5, 1825, to March 4, 1827. 
December 3, 1827, to March 4, 1829. 
December 7, 1829, to March 4, 1831. 
December 5, 1831, to March 4, 1833. 
December 2, 1833, to June 2, 1834. 
June 2, 1834, to March 4, 1835. 
December 7, 1835, to March 4, 1837. 
September 5, 1837, to March 4, 1839. 
December 16, 1839, to March 4, 1841. 
May 31, 1841, to March 4, 1843. 
December 4, 1843, to March 4, 1845. 
December i, 1845, to March 4, 1847. 
December 6, 1847, to March 4, 1849. 
December 22, 1849, to March 4, 1851. 
December i, 1851, to March 4, 1853. 
December 5, 1853, to March 4, 1855. 
February 2, 1S56, to March 4, 1857. 
December 7, 1857, to March 4, 1859. 
February I, i860, to March 4, 1861. 
July 4, 1S61, to March 4, 1863. 
December 7, 1863, to March 4, 1865. 
December 4, 1865, to March 4, 1867. 
March 4, 1S67, to March 4, 1869. 
March 4, 1869. to March 4, 1871. 
March 4, 187 1, to March 4, 1873. 
December i, 1S73, to March 4, 1875. 
December 6, 1875, to August 20, 1876. 
December 4, 1876, to March 4, 1877. 
October 15, 1877, to March 4, 1879. 
March 18, 1879, to March 4, 18S1. 
Decembers, 1S81, to March 4, 1883. 
December 3, 18.S3, to March 4, 1885. 
December 7, 1885, to March 4, 1887. 
Decembers, 18S7, to March 4, J889. 
December 2, 1889, to March 4, 1891. 
December 8, 1891, to March 4, 1893. 
August 7, 1893, to March 4, 189s. 
December, 1895, to March 4, 1897. 



6i6 Dictionary of United States History. 

Specie Circular, a treasury circular drafted by Senator Benton and issued 
at President Jackson's orders, July ii, 1836, which directed that nothing 
but gold and silver should be received in payment for the public lands. This 
was Jackson's last financial exploit. The circular was issued quite in oppo- 
sition to the sentiment or will of Congress. The next Congress passed a 
bill to rescind this specie circular, but Jackson killed it by a pocket veto. 
The circular created much indignation throughout the country, and con- 
tributed greatly to the financial crash of 1837. 

Specie Resumption. In 1861, after the breaking out of the Civil War, 
the banks of New York suspended coin payments, and their example was 
followed by most of the banks through the country. Congress authorized 
the issue of large quantities of United .States notes, to be a legal-tender. 
January 14, 1875, an act was passed by Congress ordering the resumption 
of specie payments of Government contracts to begin January i, 1879. To 
this end the purchase of bullion and the manufacture of subsidiary coin was 
at once begun for the redemption of fractional notes. These notes were 
rapidly presented for redemption, compelling the Government to run its 
mints over business hours. 

Speed, James (1812-1887), was prominent in urging Kentucky to refrain 
from disunion, and was active in the national cause. He was U. S. 
Attorney-General from 1864 to 1866 in the Cabinets of L,incoln and Johnson. 

" Speedwell," the ship which was to have sailed with the " Mayflower" 
in 1620, and which joined her at Southampton for that purpose, having 
brought the Pilgrims from Delfthaven thither. Twice she started and twice 
she put back, first to Dartmouth and then to Plymouth; finally the " May- 
flower " sailed alone. 

Spencer, John C. (1788-1855), represented New York in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1817 to 181 9. He served in Tyler's Cabinet as 
Secretary of War from 1841 to 1843 and as Secretary of the Treasury from 
1843 to 1844. 

Spencer, Joseph (1714-1789), was appointed brigadier-general in the Con- 
tinental anny in 1775. He served at Boston and New York and commanded 
the unsuccessful Rhode Island expedition. He represented Connecticut in 
the Continental Congress in 1779. 

Spies, August V. T. (1855-1887), Anarchist, came to the United States 
from Germany in 187 1. He was hanged as one of the instigators of the 
Hay market massacre in Chicago in 1886, when sixty -two policemen were 
wounded. 

Spinner, Francis E. (1802-1890), represented New York in the U. S. 
Congress as an anti-slavery Democrat from 1855 to 1861. He was U. S. 
Treasurer from 1861 to 1875, and ended his service without the discrepancy 
in his accounts of a penny. 

Spiritualists, a name applied to the believers in the theor>' that spirits 
can and do act through sensitive organizations known as mediums. It first 
came into prominence in the United States through the manifestations of 



DiCTIOXARY OF UNITED STATES HiSTORY. 617 

the Fox Sisters, at Hydeville, N. Y., 1848. The phenomena consist of the 
moving of physical objects, rappings, spirit - photographing, etc. The 
believers in these manifestations are not yet completely organized into a 
separate body, but issue periodicals aud books in great numbers. 

Spofford, Ainsworth R., bom in 1825, has been librarian of Congress 
since 1S64. He has published "The American Almanac" (annual) and 
"A Practical Manual of Parliamentary Rules." 

Spoils System. The sj'stem of partisan use of the offices, as a means of 
rewarding those who have worked for the election of the appointer and of 
punishment for those who have not, was earlier developed in New York and 
Pennsylvania than elsewhere, largely because of the existence in those 
States of a large body of apathetic non-English voters. In New York the 
ill-devised council of apiDointmeut had much to do with the growth of the 
system, and so had Aaron Burr. In the Federal Government, Jefferson car- 
ried out the system to a considerable extent. The Act of 1820 prescribing 
a four-years' term for many officers favored its growth. Finally, the politi- 
cians who surrounded Jackson brought it to its full development as an engine 
of party warfare. It has since been a regular feature of American politics 
in every administration, tempered of late by the provisions of the Civil Ser- 
vice Act of 18S3. The phrase was derived from a statement of Senator W. 
L. Marcy, of New York, in a speech in the Senate in 1832. Speaking of 
the New York politicians, he said: " They see nothing wrong in the rule 
that to the victor belong the spoils of the enemy." 

Spotswood, Alexander (1676— 1740), was Governor of Virginia from 1710 
to 1723, and greatly improved the condition of the colony by wise laws and 
careful administration. He was Deputy Postmaster-General of the colonies 
from 1730 to 1739. 

Spottsylvania Court House, Va., an indecisive, but hard-fought and 
sanguinarv' engagement during the Civil War (1864). Grant led the Union 
army of about 135,000 men, while Lee's Confederates numbered a little over 
100,000. After the battle of the Wilderness, Grant wished to cut off Lee's 
communications with Richmond, and with this intention he hurried forward 
toward Spottsylvania Court House. Lee hastened in the same direction and, 
by obstructing the Federal route with felled trees and skirmishers, managed 
to arrive first, Warren's advance corps of Grant's army being detained on 
the road. On ]\Iay 7, 1864, there was some slight skirmishing. May 8, 
Grant sent Sheridan's cavalry corps to ride around the Confederate army, 
tearing up bridges and railroads and demolishing trains. This corps engaged 
J. E. B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry, defeating them and killing their 
leader. The National line was formed with Hancock holding the right, 
Warren and Sedgwick the centre, and Burnside the left. On the 9th and 
loth, assaults were made upon a salient or weak point in the Confederate 
defences by Hancock, and then by Upton, but the Confederates remained 
firm. It rained on the nth and there was no fighting. On the 12th a des- 
perate charge by Hancock captured the coveted salient. The Confederate 
Edward Johnston and 4000 men were taken. This captured point the Con- 
federates charged again and again, and there was frightful slaughter on both 
sides. From this " death angle," the Confederates retired at midnight. 



6i8 Dictionary of United States History. 

Sprague, Charles (1791-1875), poet, was cashier of the Globe Bank, Bos- 
ton, from 1824 to 1865. He won distinction by his poems. He wrote a 
" Shakespeare Ode," " The Brothers " and " The Family Meeting," etc. 

Sprague, Peleg (1793-1880), represented Maine in the U. S. Congress as 
a National Republican from 1825 to 1829, and ^^ the U. S. Senate from 1829 
to 1835. He was U. S. Judge for the Massachusetts district from 1841 to 
1865. 

Sprague, William, born in 1830, was Governor of Rhode Island from 
i860 to 1863. He represented Rhode Island in the U. S. Senate as a 
Republican from 1863 to 1875. 

Spring Hill, Tenn., scene of a defeat of 2600 Federal troops, led by 
Colonel Coburn, by General Van Dorn, commanding 20,000 Confederates, 
Marcli 5, 1863. Coburn had been sent thither by Rosecrans to co-operate 
with Sheridan, who was making demonstrations against Forrest toward the 
South. Van Dorn fell upon him when quite unprepared for battle. Coburn 
fought gallantly during one entire day, despite the fact that he was com- 
pletely surrounded by Van Dorn's superior numbers. In the evening his 
ammunition had given out and his forces were greatly reduced, so he had to 
surrender 1300 of his infantry. Later, November 29, 1864, a brief battle 
was fought here during Hood's campaign in Tennessee, between a small 
detachment of Hood's army and a company of Federals from Thomas' force 
imder Stanley. The latter was guarding a baggage-train when the Confed- 
erates came upon him. There was to decisive victory. 

Springer, William M., born in 1836, was secretary of the Illinois Constitu- 
tional Convention in 1862. He has represented Illinois in the U. S. Congress 
as a Democrat since 1875. He was a member of the Potter committee on 
the Presidential election of 1876, and of the joint committee which reported 
the Electoral Commission Bill. He has been prominent in tariff legislation. 

Springfield, 111., became the State capital in 1837. It was laid out in 
1822, and was incorporate as a city in 1840. It was the residence of Lin- 
coln before he became President. 

Springfield, Mass., was settled in 1635 by emigrants from Roxbury. In 
1675 the settlement was burned by Indians. Springfield dates its import- 
ance from the opening of the Boston and Albany Railroad in 1838. It 
received a city charter in 1852. 

Springfield, Mo., occupied by Brown with 2400 Federal militia in 1862-63. 
Marmaduke, commanding 4000 Confederates, appeared suddenly January 8, 
1863, from Arkansas, and fell upon Brown's outposts. The latter's five 
eartliworks were speedily destroyed. Brown fought gallantly from ten 
o'clock till dark. Marmaduke then withdrew, having lost over 200 men. 
Brown's loss was even more severe. He himself lost his right arm. 

Springfield, N. J., Battle of, June 23, 1780. In June, 1780, General 
Clinton advanced to seize the American stores at Morristown, N. J. On the 
twenty-third his army of about 5000 men met the Americans at Springfield. 
Tlie Americans were unable to resist and were driven back to the Short 
Hills. Flere Greene formed them again and the British could not force 



Dictionary of United States History. 619 

their position. The British then fired the village and retreated. The loss 
of the Americans was estimated at about sixty, that of the British about 300. 

" Squatter Sovereignty." A term derisively used as a substitute for the 
phrase " popular sovereignty," which Douglas and others used to character- 
ize their plan of leaving it to the inhabitants of each territory to decide, 
without Congressional interference, whether it should become a free State or 
a slave State. 

Squier, Ephraim G. (1821-1888), was charge d'affaires to the Central 
American States in 1849, ^^"^ U. S. Commissioner to Peru in 1863. He made 
valuable historical and geographical investigations in Central and South 
America. 

Stamp Act. In 1765 George Grenville, Chancellor of the English 
(J~ Exchequer, proposed a bill for taxing the colonies through a stamp duty. 
No serious opposition was expected. But the measure aroused great excite- 
ment in America as an attempt at taxation without representation. 

Stamp Act Congress, a body of delegates from all the colonies except 
New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia, which met at New 
York October 7, 1765, and adjourned October 25. The action of this Con- 
gress consisted of an address to the king, petitions to Parliament and a 
declaration of the rights and grievances of the colonies. It protested that 
the colonies could only be taxed by their own representatives in the colonial 
assemblies; claimed the inherent right of trial by jury, and declared the 
Stamp Act to have a manifest tendency to subvert the rights and liberties of 
the colonies. The House of Commons objected to the declaration as that of 
an unconstitutional gathering. 

Stanbery, Henry (1803-1881), was Attorney-General in Johnson's Cabinet 
from 1866 to 1868, when he resigned to become leading counsel for the 
President in the impeachment trial. 

Standish, Myles (i584?-i656), came to America with the Pilgrims in 
1620. He led the exploring expeditions to discover a suitable place for 
settlement. He was appointed military captain in 162 1, being the first com- 
missioned military officer in New England. He rendered valuable service 
in repelling Indian hostilities. He visited England in 1625 ^^ agent for 
the colony and returned with supplies in 1626. He founded Duxbury in 
1632. He was a member of the executive council, and for many years 
treasurer of the colony. His courtship of Priscilla Mullens was commemo- 
rated by Longfellow, in his " Courtship of Miles Standish." 

Stanford, Leland (i 824-1 893), became a successful merchant in Cali- 
fornia. He was Governor of California from 1861 to 1863. As president 
of the Central Pacific Railroad he superintended its construction over the 
mountains. He served in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1884 
to 1893. He founded Leland Stanford, Jr., University in California with 
$20,000,000, which offers all branches of education. 

Stanley, David S., born in 1828, led a division at Island No. 10 and 
Corinth in 1862. He was active in Sherman's Georgia invasion. He fought 
at Murfreesboro, Nashville and Franklin. 



620 Dictionary of United States History. 

Stanley, Henry M., explorer, born in 1840, came to the United States 
from Wales in 1855. He has made exploring expeditions in Africa in 
1870-72, 1874-77, 1879-82 and 1887-89, accomits of which he has published. 

Stannard, George J, (1820-1886), fought at Bull Run and Harper's Ferry. 
He led a brigade at Gettysburg in 1863. He led the advance on Petersburg 
and Richmond, and captured Fort Harrison in 1864. 

Stanton, Edwin McMasters (1814-1869), the great War Secretary of the 
Civil War, built up a large legal business in Ohio and Pennsylvania before 
the Rebellion, but held no offices except reporter to the Ohio Supreme 
Court. President Buchanan called him to his Cabinet as Attorney-General in 
i860. In 1862 President Lincoln selected him to succeed Cameron as Secre- 
tary of War. His conduct of this department was very energetic; he was, how- 
ever, embroiled at times with politicians and officers; especially notable were 
his controversies with McClellan and Shennan. Continuing in Johnson's 
Cabinet, he differed seriously with the President, and was suspended in 
August, 1867. This action brought to a head the quarrel between Congress 
and the President. Stanton was restored in January, 1868, removed in 
February. The President's impeachment followed. By President Grant 
Stanton was nominated as Justice of the Supreme Court, but he died soon 
afterward. 

Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, bom in 1815, has been prominent as an advo- 
cate of woman suffrage. She has addressed legislatures, committees and 
conventions. She was a candidate for Congress in New York in 1868. 

Stanwix, John (1690-1765), came to America from England in 1756 as 
commander of a battalion and was assigned command in the Southern Dis- 
trict. In 1758 he constructed the important fortress called Fort Stanwix at 
the Oneida carr}'ing-place on the Mohawk River. In 1759 he repaired old 
Fort Du Quesne at Pittsburgh. He returned to England in 1760. 

Stanwix, Fort, erected in 1758 on the Mohawk River, at what was called 
" the great carrying place," by Brigadier-General Stanwix. The name was 
afterward changed to Fort Schuyler. It was built to protect the country 
from the depredations of the Six Nations, and treaties were concluded there 
between those Indians and the English, determining the boundaries of the 
Indian Territory in 1768. In 1777 Peter Gansevoort was placed in command 
of the fort and was besieged for nearly a month by the English under St. 
lyCger. He refused to capitulate, however, and St. Leger was compelled to 
withdraw. The fort was abandoned in 1781, being partially destroyed by 
the floods of that 3'ear. 

" Star of the W^est," a steamer sent by the Federal Government from 
New York, January 5, 1861, laden with reinforcements and supplies for Fort 
Sumter. She appeared off the Charleston bar January 9, but was promptly 
fired upon by the batteries of Fort Moultrie and Morris Island, and being 
struck by a shell put back to New York. She was afterward, April 20, 
1 86 1, seized by the Confederates in the harbor of Indianola. 

Star Routes, the name applied to postal lines over which the mail cannot 
be carried by railroad or steamboat. In 1881 the second assistant Postmaster 



Dictionary of United States History. 621 

General, Thomas J. Brady, and others, including Senator S. W. Dorsey, 
of Arkansas, were accused of combining with certain mail contractors to 
defraud the Government. The combination had originally 134 routes, upon 
which the compensation for service under the contract amounted to $143,169. 
By increasing the number of trips per week, shortening the contract time 
for each trip and allowing therefor, the compensation was raised to $622,808. 
Dorsey was brought to trial in 1882. Dorsey denied all charges and the first 
jury failed to bring a decision. A second trial took place in 1883 and Dor- 
sey was acquitted. Brady's trial was postponed, and no decision was found 
against him. But the corrupt combination was broken up. 

" Star-Spangled Banner." This song was composed September 13, 1814, 
■during the bombardment of Fort McHeniy, by Francis S. Key, a young 
Baltimorean, who had gone down the harbor in a cartel vessel. It was pub- 
lished and sung at the theatres to the air of " Anacreon in Heaven," and 
immediately became popular. 

Stark, John (1728-1822), a noted Revolutionary general, was a native of 
New Hampshire. He was a hero of the Indian border warfare, and was at 
one time captured. He fought in the French and Indian War, and was 
active in the Revolution, being one of the principal leaders at Bunker Hill. 
He served in Canada, at Trenton and Princeton, and resigned in 1777. But 
the danger of Burgoyne's invasion called out the New Hampshire militia, 
and they demanded Stark as a commander. At Bennington, August 16, 
1777, Stark overthrew the Hessian detachment, and in this way powerfully 
contributed to the catastrophe of Saratoga. He was made a brigadier-gen- 
eral, and served until the close of the war. His life has been written by 
Everett. 

Stars and Bars, the flag of the Confederacy. March 5, 1861, the Flag 
Committee appointed in the Provisional Senate of the Southern States 
recommended that " the flag of the Confederate States shall consist of a red 
fiield with a white space extending horizontally through the centre, and 
equal in width to one-third the width of the flag." It was first displayed 
March 4, 1861, simultaneously with the inauguration of Lincoln, being 
unfurled over the State House at Montgomery, Ala. In 1863 the Confeder- 
ate Senate adopted a white flag with one blue star in the centre, the Stars 
and Bars bearing too close a resemblance to the Stars and Stripes. Johnston 
and Beauregard also adopted a " battle flag," a red ground with a blue 
diagonal cross and white stars. 

" Starving Time." In 1609, after the departure of Captain John Smith 
for England, the settlers of Jamestown, Va., were, during many months, 
reduced to the last extremities, being obliged to eat rats, snakes, toads and 
even dead bodies to prevent starvation. This was known as the " starving 
time." 

State, Department of. Under the Continental Congress, foreign affairs 
were at first managed by a committee. January 10, 1781, the ofiice of Sec- 
retary for Foreign Affairs was instituted. Livingston held it till 1783, Jay 
from 1784 to 1789. In the First Congress a Department of Foreign Affairs 



622 Dictionary of United States History. 

and a Home Department were at first planned, but on July 27, 1789, the 
Department of State was formed, uniting the functions of the two. 

Staten Island, N. Y., was bought from the Indians by Michael Pauw in 
1631 and later transferred to the Dutch West India Company. It was set- 
tled by colonists under De Vries in 1637, and two years later burned and 
ravaged by the Raritan Indians. The West India Company acquired the 
patroon titles on the island, but in 1665 it was confiscated by the Duke of 
York. 

States. The Declaration of Independence declared " that these united 
colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." Thir- 
teen States thenceforth existed. Whether they were from the beginning 
independent and sovereign, or whether the primary allegiance of the citizen 
was from the first due to the United States, has been much debated. The 
fact is, that both views can find countenance in public and oflBcial expres- 
sions of that early time, and that the Union has come to be supreme in all 
men's minds only by historic processes. Ardent advocacy of " State-rights " 
was associated with the theory that the Constitution was a voluntary com- 
pact, and led to the doctrines of nullification and secession. — The States at 
once organized governments modeled on those of the colonial period, with 
strict severance of the legislative, executive and judiciar}' departments. It 
has been one of the chief causes of the success of the American Union that, 
from the beginning, its scheme provided for the admission of new States. 
On October 10, 1780, the Continental Congress resolved that the western 
territory to be ceded to the United States "shall be settled and formed into 
distinct, republican States, which shall become members of the Federal 
Union, and have the same rights of sovereignty, freedom and independence, 
as the other States." The first States so admitted were Vermont and Ken- 
tucky. The act admitting Kentucky was passed on February 4, 1791, to 
take effect June i, 1792; that admitting Vermont was passed February 18, 
1 79 1, to take eflFect March 4, 1792. The date usually regarded as the date 
of admission of a State is that on which the act took effect. A list of the 
States, in order of accession, follows: 

States, Admission of. (The date given is that when admission took 
effect.) 

Delaware ratified the Constitution December 7, 1787 

Pennsylvania do. do. December 12, 1787 

New Jersey do. do. December 18, 17S7 

Georgia do. do. January 2, 1788 

Connecticut do. do. ' . . January 9, 1788 

Massachusetts do. do. February 6, 1788 

Mary-land do. do. April 28, 1788 

South Carolina do. do. May 23, 1788 

New Hampshire do. do. June 21, 1788 

Virginia do. do. June 25, 1788 

New York do. do. July 26, 1788 

North Carolina do. do. November 21, 1789 

Rhode Island do. do. May 29, 1790 

Vermont was admitted to the Union March 4, 1791 

Kentucky do. do. June i, 1792 



Dictionary op United States History. 623 

Tennessee was admitted to the Union • . . .June i, 1796 

Ohio do. do. November 29, 1802 

Louisiana do. do. April 30, 1812 

Indiana do. do. December ii| 1816 

Mississippi do. do. December 10, 1817 

Illinois do. do. . • December 3, 1818 

Alabama do. do. December 14, 1819 

Maine do. do. . . • March 15, 1820 

Missouri do. do. August 10, 1821 

Arkansas do. do. June 15, 1836 

Michigan do. do. January 26, 1837 

Florida do. do. March 3, 1845 

Texas do. do. December 29, 1845 

Iowa do. do. December 28, 1846 

Wisconsm do. do. May 29, 1848 

California do. do. September 9, 1850 

Minnesota do. do. May 11, 1S58 

Oregon do. do. February 14,' 1859 

Kansas do. do. January 29, 1861 

West Virginia do. do. June 19, 1863 

Nevada do. do. October 31, 1864 

Nebraska do. do. March i, 1867 

Colorado do. do. August i, 1876 

North Dakota do. do. November 2, 1889 

South Dakota do. do. November 2, 1889 

Montana do. do. November 8, 1889 

Washington do. do. November 11, 1889 

Idaho do. do. July 3, 1890 

Wj'oming do. do. July 10, 1890 

States' Rights. All parties have, of course, professed to be friendly to 
all the rights of the States under the Constitution. But the term " States' 
rights " as a political watchword in U. S. history has meant the rights of the 
States as interpreted by those who have held the theory that the States are 
partners to a constitutional compact, that their rights include essential rights 
of sovereignty, and that the paramount allegiance of the citizen is due to 
his State rather than to the Federal Government. It was State rights con- 
ceived in this sense which were made the basis of the movements for nullifi- 
cation and secession. 

Steamboat. Rumsey and Fitch invented the steamboat before Fulton, but 
he was the first to make a practical success of it. His boat, the " Clermont " 
made a successful trip up the Hudson in 1807. The " Clermont " was a 
paddle-wheel boat, of twenty horse-power. Fulton and R. R. Livingston 
obtained from the State of New York a monopoly of the use of this inven- 
tion on New York waters during thirty years. (See Gibbons vs. Ogden.) 
In 1819 the steamboat "Savannah" sailed from America to Liverpool. 
Almost immediately steamboats began to be used on the Mississippi and 
other Western rivers, and contributed enormously to the development of 
population and agriculture in the great central valley. In 181 8 the first 
steamer appeared on the Great Lakes, — the " Walk-in-the-Water." By 1830 
there was a daily line from Buffalo to Detroit. Steam navigation across the 
Atlantic was established in 1838. 



624 Dictionary of United States History. 

Stedman, Edmund Clarence, born in 1833, contributed many poems to 
the New York Tribune after 1859. -^^ '^^^ '^^'^ correspondent of the New 
York World ixora 1861 to 1863. Since 1865 he has been a stock-broker in 
New York. He wrote " The Diamond Wedding," " How Old John Brown 
took Harper's Ferry," "Alice of Monmouth," " Poets of America," " Gettys- 
burg," and edited a " Library of American Literature." 

Stedman, Fort, Va., garrisoned in 1865 by troops from Grant's army, 
then operating around Richmond and Petersburg. It was assailed on the 
night of March 25 by two divisions of Lee's army under Gordon. The 
assault was a surprise, and the fort was quickly captured. The assault was 
intended as a ruse, under cover of which Lee planned to retreat from Peters- 
burg. The plan failed, however, for the Federals, quickly recovering them- 
selves, retook the fort, March 27. 

Steedman, Charles (1811-1890), in command of the "Bienville," led a 
column of vessels at Port Royal. He commanded the " Paul Jones " at Fort 
McAllister in 1862, and the " Ticonderoga " at Fort Fisher in 1864. 

Steedman, James B. (181 8-1 883), commanded a regiment with distinc- 
tion at Philippi and Perryville. He led a brigade at Chickamauga, and a 
division in the Atlanta campaign in 1864. He served at Nashville. 

Steel. (See Iron.) 

Steele, Frederick (1819-1868), served with distinction during the Mexi- 
can War at Contreras and Chapultepec. He commanded a brigade at Dug 
Spring and Wilson's Creek in 1861. He led a division at Round Hill and 
Helena, and a corps in the Yazoo Expedition, and captured Arkansas Post 
in 1863. He commanded a division at Vicksburg, and served at Little Rock 
and Mobile. 

Stephens, Alexander Hamilton (February 11, 1812-March 4, 1883), Vice- 
President of the Southern Confederacy, was born in Georgia, and graduated 
at Franklin College in 1832. He practiced law, ser^'ed in the Legislature 
of Georgia, and from 1843 to 1859 was a Whig member of the national 
House of Representatives. He supported Douglas in his slavery policy, but 
opposed secession strongly in i860. Nevertheless, when the step had once 
been taken, he sided with the Confederacy, and was its Vice-President, 1861- 
1865. He differed with President Davis as the war progressed. In 1864, 
he favored peace, and in 1865 he took part in the Hampton Roads Confer- 
ence. He was imprisoned in 1865, but was shortly afterward released. Hav- 
ing been elected U. S. Senator, he was refused a seat. From 1875 to 1882, 
Stephens was again a Congressman from Georgia. In the latter year he was 
elected Governor of his State, but died soon after entering upon the duties 
of the office. Of his works the most valuable is his " Constitutional View 
of the War Between the States," in two volumes. Life by Johnston and 
Browne. 

Stephenson, Fort (Fremont, O.), garrisoned by 160 men under Major 
Croghan, was attacked August i, 1813, by General Proctor and Tecumtha 
with 4000 men. After a heavy bombardment, a charge was made but gal- 
lantly repulsed. The British lost 121, the Americans only one killed. 



Dictionary of United States History. 625 

Sterett, Andrew (1760 P-iSo;), was executive officer of the " Constella- 
tion," which captured the French frigate " L'Insurgente " in 1799 and 
" La Vengeance" in 1800. In command of the "Enterprise," he captured 
" L' Amour de la Patrie " and a Tripolitan cruiser after a desperate encounter. 
The Tripolitan vessel three times renewed the conflict after surrendering, 
and was completely dismantled, while the " Enterprise " did not lose a 
man. 

Sterne, Simon, born in 1839, has been prominent in political reform in 
New York. He has written " Representative Government and Personal 
Representation," and a " Constitutional and Political History of the United 
States." 

Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand von, called 
Baron Steuben (i 730-1 794), the disciplinarian of the American Revolu- 
tionary army, was born at Magdeburg. He fought in the war of the Aus- 
trian Succession and through the Seven Years' War. He was then an aide 
to Frederick the Great and held a lucrative position, which he exchanged in 
1778 for service on the side of the Americans. Congress appointed him 
inspector-general, and his services in drilling the troops were invaluable. 
He commanded the left wing at the battle of Monmouth, and took part in 
the siege of Yorktown. He was a member of the board which decided the 
fate of Andre. He identified himself even more than Lafayette with the 
country to which he had given his aid, settling in New York and receiving 
from Congress in his last years a grant of land near Utica. 

Stevens, Henry (1819-1886), of Vermont, was an authority on the early 
colonial history of America. In 1845 he went from Vermont to England 
in search of Americana, and remained there until his death. He was agent 
of the British Museum for procuring books of all kinds regarding America, 
and assisted in forming libraries in America. He wrote " Bibliotheca Amer- 
icana," " Notes on the Earliest Discoveries in America," and other such 
books. 

Stevens, Isaac I. (1S18-1862), was Governor of Washington Territory 
from 1S53 to 1857, when he became a delegate to the U. S. Congress, serv- 
ing till 1 86 1. He commanded a division at Newport News, and fought at 
Manassas and Chantilly, where he was killed. 

Stevens, John (1749-1838), made valuable discoveries in steam naviga- 
tion. He constructed a boat propelled by screws in 1804. He conceived 
the idea of a railroad system and devised the first locomotive in America. 

Stevens, John Austin, of New York, bom in 1827, '^^^ founder of the 
Magazine of American History. He wrote " Colonial Records of the New 
York Chamber of Commerce" and "Albert Gallatin" in the American 
Statesmen Series. 

Stevens, John L., of Maine, was envoy extraordinary to Sweden and 
Norway from 1877 to 1883, and to Hawaii from 1889 to 1893. He was 
prominent in the deposition of Queen Eiliuokalani, and in the negotiations 
for the annexation of Hawaii to the United States. Died 1895. 
40 



626 Dictionary of United States History. 

Stevens, Thaddeus (i 792-1868), a Republican politician of influence, was 
graduated at Dartmouth, and settled to the practice of law in Pennsylvania. 
He was a Whig member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and as Congressman 
in 1 849-1 853 he opposed the Compromise of 1850. He was again in Congress 
from 1859 to 1868 as a Republican, of the radical type, and advocated drastic 
measures. He urged emancipation and the Fourteenth Amendment, as well 
as acts of confiscation; he was chairman of the important Committees of 
Ways and Means and of Reconstruction, proposed the impeachment of Presi- 
dent Johnson, and was chairman of the board of managers of the impeach- 
ment proceedings. 

Stevens, Thomas H., born in 1819, fought at Port Royal and commanded 
the leading vessel at Fort Clinch. He captured many prizes, and was engaged 
at Petersburg, Charleston and Mobile. Died 1896. 

Stevenson, Adlai Ewing, bom in 1835, Vice-President of the United States, 
was a la'w'^-er, practising at Bloomington, 111. From 1875 to 1877 and 1879 
to 1881 he was a Democratic Congressman from Illinois, and from 1885 to 
1889 he was First Assistant Postmaster-General in President Cleveland's 
first administration. He received, in 1892, the Democratic nomination for 
the second place on the ticket with Cleveland, was elected, and entered office 
in 1893. 

Stevenson, Andrew (1784-1857), was a member of the Virginia Legis- 
lature from 1804 to 1820. He represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress as 
a Democrat from 1823 to 1834, when he resigned. He served as Speaker 
of the House from 1827 to 1834. He was Minister to England from 1836 
to 1 841. 

Stevenson, John W. (181 2-1 886), represented Kentucky in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1857 to 1861. He was Governor of Kentucky 
from 1867 to 1871, and a U. S. Senator from 1871 to 1877. 

Stewart, Alexander (1740 ?-i794), bom in England, served in the Southern 
campaign during the Revolution. He was defeated by General Greene at 
Eutaw Springs in 1781, and retreated to Charleston. 

Stewart, Alexander T. (1803-1876), came to America from Ireland in 
1823. He conducted at New York the most extensive dry goods business in 
the world. 

Stewart, Alvan (1790-1849), of New York, won distinction as an advocate 
of temperance and slavery reform. He was the first to earnestly advocate a 
political party to promote the abolition of slavery. 

Stewart, Charles (1778-1869), entered the U. S. navy in 1798. He cap- 
tured the FVench ships, " Deux Amis," " Diana " and " Louisa Bridger," 
while commanding the "Experiment" in 1800. During the Tripolitan War 
he was executive officer of the " Constitution," and commanded the " Siren " 
from 1803 to 1806. While commanding the " Constitution " he captured 
the "Pictou"and the British brigs " Catherine " and " Phoenix" in 181 3. 
In 1814 he captured the " Lord Nelson " and the "Susan." In 1815 he 
took the British ships of war, " Cyane " and " Levant." He received the 



Dictionary of United States History. 627 

sobriquet of " Old Ironsides," and died a rear-admiral. He was the grand- 
father of Charles Stewart Parnell. 

Stewart, Gideon T., born in 1824, was active in organizing the Pro- 
hibition party, and has been prominent in Ohio politics. He was the Pro- 
hibition candidate for the Vice-Presidency on the ticket with G. C. Smith in 
1876. 

Stewart, William M., born in 1827, discovered the celebrated Eureka 
diggings in California. He was chosen a member of the Nevada Territorial 
Council in 1861, and represented Nevada in the U. S. Senate as a Republi- 
can from 1864 to 1875. In 1887 he was again elected to the U. S. Senate. 
His present term expires in 1899. He has been prominent in coinage legis- 
lation. 

Stiles, Ezra (1727-1795), was president of Yale College from 1778 to 
1795. He was one of the most learned Americans of his time. He wrote an 
" Account of the Settlement of Bristol, R. I.," and a history of the regicides 
in America. 

Stille, Charles J., of Pennsylvania, bom in 1819, has written " How a 
Free People Conduct a Long War," " Northern Interest and Southern Inde- 
pendence," " The Historical Development of American Civilization," a 
" History of the U. S. Sanitary- Commission," and lives and letters of John 
Dickinson and General Anthony Wayne. 

Stillwater. (See Saratoga.) 

Stirling, Lord. (See Alexander, Sir William.) 

Stockbridge, Mass., was formerly the home of the Stockbridge or Housa- 
tonic Indians, among whom an interesting mission was established, and who 
removed westward in 1788. 

Stockbridge Indians, a band of Connecticut Mohegans, who were col- 
lected by Rev. Mr. Sargeant at Stockbridge in 1736. Like the rest of their 
tribe, they always continued in friendly relations with the English colonists. 
Between 1820 and 1830 they emigrated from New York to Wisconsin; here 
the majority soon became citizens. 

Stockton, John P., born in 1826, was U. S. Minister to Rome from 1857 
to 1 86 1. He represented New Jersey in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat 
from 1865 to 1866 (when his election was declared illegal), and from 1869 to 
1875- 

Stockton, Richard (i 730-1 781), was admitted to the bar in 1754 and 
attained great reputation. He became a member of the New Jersey Execu- 
tive Council in 1768 and a Judge of the Provincial Supreme Court in 1774. 
He hoped for a reconciliation between the colonies and England, and wrote 
" An Expedient for the Settlement of the American Disputes," in which he 
proposes a plan of colonial self-government. He was a delegate from New 
Jersey to the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1777, and signed the Dec- 
laration of Independence. He was appointed to inspect the Northern army, 
but was captured by Loyalists. He never recovered from the effects of the 
ill-usage he received. 



628 Dictionary of United States History. 

Stockton, Robert Field (i 795-1 866), grandson of Richard Stockton, was 
in the navy in the War of 181 2, and was distinguished in the ensuing Alge- 
rine War. He was engaged in the establishment of Liberia and in the 
capture of slavers and pirates. He was the chief promoter of the Delaware 
and Raritan Canal. As captain he commanded a squadron on the California 
coast in the Mexican War, and co-operated with Fremont in the conquest of 
that province. He captured Los Angeles, and organized a government. 
Commodore Stockton left the navy in 1850 and was U. S. Senator from 
New Jersey in 1 851-1853. He was a delegate to the Peace Congress of 186 1. 

Stoddard, Richard H., of New York, was born in 1825. He has been a 
literary reviewer for periodicals since 1880. His reputation as a poet is con- 
siderable. He wrote " Abraham Lincoln," an ode; " Putnam the Brave," etc. 

Stoddert, Benjamin (1751-1813), of Maryland, distinguished himself at 
the battle of Brandywine. He was Secretary of the Board of War from 
1777 to 1781. He was Secretary of the Navy in Adams' Cabinet from 1798 
to 1 801, being thus the first Secretary of the Navy. 

Stone, Charles P. (1824-1887), served with honor during the Mexican 
War. He led a brigade in General Patterson's Shenandoah campaign in 1861. 
While commanding the " corps of observation " in the Army of the Potomac 
from 1861 to 1862, he was defeated at Ball's Bluff. He served at Port 
Hudson in 1863, and was chief of staff to General Banks from 1863 to 1864. 

Stone, David M., born in 1817, has been connected with the Neiv York 
Journal of Commerce since 1849, ^"'i i'^s editor-in-chief since 1866. He is 
regarded as an authority on commercial matters. Died 1895. 

Stone, Lucy (1818-1893), was prominent as an ardent anti-slaverj- advo- 
cate. In 1869, she aided in forming the American Woman's Suffrage Asso- 
ciation. She edited the Womans' Journal in Boston from 1872 on. 

Stone, Thomas (1743-1787), was a delegate from Maryland to the Conti- 
nental Congress from 1775 to 1779, and signed the Declaration of Independ- 
ence. From 1779 to 1783 he was a prominent member of the Maryland 
Senate. He again served in the Continental Congress from 1784 to 1785. 
He was a member of the committee to draft a plan of confederation. 

Stone, William (1603 ?-i695 ?), was appointed Governor of jMar^dand in 
1649, and founded the settlement of Providence, now Annapolis. He was 
removed from ofEce in 1653. 

Stone, William L. (i 792-1844), an editor of the Neiv York Commercial 
Advertiser Ixovcs. 1821, wrote many tales of border life, a "History of the 
N. Y. Convention of 1821 " and " Border Wars of the American Revolution." 

Stone River. (See Murfreesboro.) 

Stoneman, George, born in 1822, graduated at the U. S. Militarv- Academy 
in 1846. He refused to surrender Fort Brown to the Secessionists in 1861 
by order of his superior officer, General Twiggs. He commanded the cavalry 
of the Army of the Potomac from 1861 to 1862. He led a division at the 



Dictionary of United States History. 629 

second battle of Bull Run, and a corps at Fredericksburg. He commanded 
a cavalry raid toward Richmond in 1863; was engaged in the Atlanta cam- 
paign in 1864; and fought at Salisbury and Asheville. He was Governor 
of California from 1883 to 1887. Died 1894. 

Stone Ferry, Attack upon, June 20, 1779. Lincoln's first attempt to 
dislodge the British at Charleston was made at Stono Ferry. Maitland's 
800 men offered a stout resistance to Lincoln's 1200. The Americans 
retired, losing 301. The British loss was somewhat less. Three days later 
the fort was evacuated. 

Stony Creek, Canada, War of 1812. A body of Americans under 
General Chandler, while pursuing General Vincent, encamped June 6, 1813, 
at Stony Creek. During the gloom of night they were surprised and 
attacked by Vincent. The British, after severe fighting, were repulsed with 
the loss of 178 killed, wounded and captured; the American loss was 154, 
including the capture of both General Chandler and General Winder. 

Stony Point, Capture of, July 16, 1779. While the Americans were 
building a fort at Stony Point in May, 1779, Clinton ascended the Hudson, 
captured it and increased its strength. Washington detailed General Wayne 
to regain this position. With 1200 men he undertook the task. Not a gun 
was loaded. The troops depended solely upon a bayonet charge. They got 
so near the fort without being observed that with one rush they entered the 
fort and soon forced the garrison to surrender. The American loss was 
fifteen killed and eighty-three wounded. The British lost sixty-three killed 
and 553 taken prisoners. The humanity of the Americans contrasted favor- 
ably with the reckless brutality of the British in their surprises. 

Storrs, Richard S., born in 1821, was pastor of the Church of the Pilgrims 
at Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1846 to 1894. He was one of the most eloquent pulpit 
orators in America. He wrote " Early American Spirit," " The Declaration 
of Independence and its Effects," and a life of St. Bernard. 

Story, Joseph (1779-1845), jurist, was admitted to the bar at Salem, 
Mass., in 1801. He represented Massachusetts in the U. S. Congress as a 
Democrat from 1808 to 1809. In 1811 he was appointed an Associate 
Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court and continued in that office until his 
death. He was professor of law at Harvard from 1829 to 1845. His success 
as a teacher and his ability as a jurist place him among the foremost of 
Americans. He wrote valuable legal treatises including his famous " Com- 
mentaries on the Constitution of the United States," and " Commentaries 
on the Conflict of Laws." Life by W. W. Story. 

Story, W^illiam W., born in 1819, has written several legal books. He is 
distinguished as an artist and poet. Among his best known works are statues 
of his father, Joseph Story, Chief-Justice Marshall, and George Peabody. He 
published " Life and Letters of Joseph Story." 

Stoughton, William (1632-1701), was an agent of the Massachusetts 
colony in England from 1676 to 1679. He was Lieutenant-Governor and 
Chief Justice of Massachusetts from 1692 to 1701, and Acting Governor from 



630 Dictionary of United States History. 

1694 to 1699. He was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during the witch- 
craft trials. 

Stowe, Calvin E. (1802-1886), was professor of Biblical literature at Lane 
Seminary from 1830 to 1850, and at Andov^er Seminary from 1852 to 1864. 
He was sent by Ohio to examine the European school system in 1836. He 
was the husband of Mrs. H. B. Stowe. 

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, born in 1812, was the daughter of Lyman 
Beecher, a clergyman of intense intellectual activity and joyous disposition, 
whose influence upon Mrs. Stowe was very marked. In 1836 she married 
Calvin E. Stowe. During her residence in Ohio she acquired some knowledge 
of Southern life and of the condition of the slaves. The passage of the 
fugitive slave law, and the favor with which it was received, called forth her 
well-known work, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," in 1852. (See art.) She wrote 
" Drcd," "The Minister's Wooing," and other novels. Died July i, 1896. 

Stratford, the old Lee mansion in Westmoreland County, Va. It was 
erected by Richard Lee, an Englishman, who came to Virginia as secretary 
to one of the king's council. It was the birth-place of Robert E. Lee. 

Stringham, Silas H. (1798-1876), entered the U. S. navy in 1809. He 
served in the " President " during the engagements with the " Little Belt " 
and " Belvidere." He served in the Algerine War in 1815. He was execu- 
tive officer of the " Hornet " from 1821 to 1824 and captured the pirate ship 
*' Moscow." He commanded the " Ohio " at the bombardment of Vera Cruz 
in 1847, ^^"^ ^^''■^ squadron which, assisted by the military force under Gen- 
eral Butler, reduced Forts Hatteras and Clark in 1861. 

Strong, Caleb (1745— 1819), Governor, was a member of the Massachusetts 
Committee of Correspondence and Safety from 1774 to 1775, and of the 
Massachusetts general court from 1776 to 1778. He aided in drafting the 
State constitution in 1779. He was a member of the Massachusetts Senate 
from 1780 to 1789. In 1787 he was a member of the convention that framed 
the Constitution of the United States. He was a Federalist U. S. Senator 
from 1789 to 1796, and Governor of Massachusetts from 1800 to 1807 and 
from 1812 to 1816. 

Strong, William, born in 1808, represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1847 to 1S51. He was a Justice of the Supreme 
Court of Pennsylvania from 1857 to 1868, and a Justice of the U. S. Supreme 
Court from 1870 to 1880, when he retired. He was a member of the electoral 
commission in 1877. Died 1895. 

Stuart, Alexander H. H. (1807-1891), represented Virginia in the U. S. 
Congress as a Whig from 1841 to 1843. He was Secretary of the Interior 
in Fillmore's Cabinet from 1850 to 1853. He was a member of the Virginia 
Senate from 1857 to 1861, and zealously opposed the policy of secession. 
He was a delegate to the National Union Convention at Philadelphia in 
1866. 

Stuart, Gilbert (1755-1828), born in Rhode Island, sti:died painting in 
Europe and painted portraits of many distinguished Europeans. He returned 
ito America in 1793 and painted several portraits of W^ashington, the first of 



Dictionary of United States History. 631 

which was destroyed, and the second is in the Boston Athenaeum. His pictures 
are very numerous and exhibit rare genius iu portraying individual character. 

Stuart, James E. B. (1833-1864), Confederate cavalry general, was gradu- 
ated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1854. He commanded the Confederate 
cavalry at Bull Run in 1861. In 1862 he conducted a daring reconnaissance 
of McClellan's army on the Chickahominy. He fought at the second battle 
of Bull Run, and led the advance of Jackson's Maryland invasion. He 
fought at South Mountain and Antietam. His command formed the Con- 
federate extreme right at Fredericksburg. He temporarily commanded 
Jackson's corps at Chancellorsville. He was mortally wounded at Yellow 
Tavern, where he attempted to check Sheridan's advance. 

Stuart, Moses (1780-1852), was professor of sacred literature at Andover 
Seminary from 1810 to 1848. He was an enthusiastic Hebrew scholar, and 
has been called the father of Biblical science in America. 

Sturgeon, Daniel (17S9-1878), was treasurer of Pennsylvania in 1838 and 
1839. He represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 
1839 to 1851, and was treasurer of the U. S. Mint from 1853 to 1858. 

Sturges vs. Crowninshield, an action brought against the defendant, 
before the Circuit Court of Massachusetts, 1811, for payment of two promis- 
sory notes. Transferred to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1819. 
The defendant had pleaded, a discharge by the insolvency law of New York 
before the Circuit Court, but judgment was found against him. This judg- 
ment was reversed by the Supreme Court, which recognized the insolvency 
law of New York as constitutional, but with certain limitations. 

Sturgis, Samuel D. (i 822-1 889), served in the Mexican War. He com- 
manded a division at South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, and 
was chief of cavalry' of the Ohio Department from 1863 to 1864. 

Stuyvesant, Peter (1612-1682), the last Dutch Governor or director-gen- 
eral of New Netherlands, arrived in 1647. Various controversies arose with 
the New England settlements, and with the patroons. He was intolerant 
in religious affairs, and raised a vigorous opposition on account of his con- 
tempt for popular rights. Trade, however, flourished during his administra- 
tion. In 1655 he attacked the Swedish colony of Delaware, and annexed it 
to the Dutch possessions. When the English fleet came to New Amsterdam 
in 1664, Stuyvesant could make no effective resistance, and signed a treaty 
of surrender September 9. He continued to reside in New York, on his 
extensive farm of Great Bouwerie, and died there. 

Subsidies. In early use the word denoted a special tax, then it signified 
the payment made to an ally for assisting in war. It is now the term 
applied to pecuniary aid rendered by the State to industrial enterprises of 
individuals. The granting of monopol}^ rights was the earliest form of sub- 
sidies in the United States. National aid has been in a number of instances 
tendered to railroad corporations, chiefly in land grants, many millions of 
acres being granted to the Northern Pacific, the Union Pacific, the Illinois 
Central, the Mobile and Ohio and the Kansas Pacific Railroads. In the case 
of the Union Pacific, in addition to a land grant of 33,000,000 acres, the 



632 Dictionary of United States History. 

United States pledged itself to $25,000 per mile, half the cost. Subsidies 
have been granted for the encouragement of the United States steam marine 
at various times since 1850, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company being the 
chief of these contractors. 

Sub-Treasury. (See Independent Treasury.) 

Suffrage. Restricted suffrage was the rule in America till well into the 
present century. Massachusetts and New Haven colonies for a time gave 
the suffrage to none but church members. In most of the colonies a free- 
hold qualification prevailed, sometimes the " forty-shilling freehold " of Eng- 
lish law, sometimes a freehold of so many acres. The constitutions made in 
the Revolutionary period mostly provided for the former in the Northern 
States, for the latter in the Southern, while New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, 
Delaware and Georgia had simply a requirement of tax-paying. The Con- 
stitution of 1787 left this matter entirely to the States, allowing all to vote 
for Congressmen in a given State who could vote for the members of the 
State House of Representatives. After 1789, the infiuence of democratic 
principles led to the abolition of property qualifications in Georgia in 1798^ 
in Maryland in 1801 and 1809; in Massachusetts in 1821; in New York in 
1821; in Delaware in 1831; in New Jersey in 1844; in Connecticut in 1845; 
in Virginia in 1850; in North Carolina in 1854 and 1868; in South Carolina 
in 1865; in Rhode Island, except in some municipal elections, in 1888. The 
Fifteenth Amendment forbids any State, or the United States, to deny the 
suffrage to any citizen because of race, color or previous condition of servi- 
tude. The new States have mostly provided for manhood suffrage from the 
first, often even for the suffrage of aliens in process of naturalization. For 
the extension of the suffrage to women, (see art. Woman Suffrage.) 

Sugar Act, an act passed by Parliament in 1733 and renewed in 1763, 
by which heavy duties were laid upon all sugar and molasses imported into 
the American colonies from foreign colonies. It was one of the direct causes 
of the Revolution. 

Sullivan's Island, Battle of. (See Fort Moultrie.) 

Sullivan, James (i 744-1808), born in Maine, was a member of the INIassa- 
chusetts Provincial Congress in 1775. He was a Judge of the Massachusetts 
Supreme Court from 1776 to 1782, a delegate to the Continental Congress 
from 1784 to 1785, and Attorney -General of Massachusetts from 1790 to 
1807. He was Governor of Massachusetts from 1807 till his death. Life 
by Amor\'. 

Sullivan, John (i 740-1 795), a Revolutionary' general, was a native of Maine 
and a major of militia before the war. He was a New Hampshire delegate to 
the First Continental Congress, and was appointed brigadier-general in 1775. 
He was engaged in the siege of Boston and in Canada in the unsuccessful 
attack on Three Rivers. Sullivan became a major-general in 1776, was one 
of the principal commanders in the battle of Long Island and in the autumn 
campaign of 1776, fought at Trenton and Princeton, and made a raid on 
Staten Island. He led the right wing at Brandywine and Germantown, and 
won the battle of Butts Hill in Rhode Island in 1778. The next year he 



Dictionary of United States History. 633 

» 
ravaged the countty of the Six Nations. He sensed in Congress, and was a 
Federalist in New Hampshire in the contest of 1788. Life by Amory. 

Sully, Thomas (1783-1872), came to America from England in 1792. He 
is famous for his paintings, "Washington Crossing the Delaware," Thomas 
Jefferson, Fanny Kemble, Queen Victoria, Lafayette and " The Capture of 
Major Andre." 

Summit Point, Va., a battle of the Civil War during Sheridan's campaign 
in the Shenandoah Valley and Early's sortie against Washington. Sheri- 
dan was retreating toward Halltown with the intention of strengthening his 
position there, for he had heard that Early was expecting reinforcements 
under Anderson and that others might come. On the road through Summit 
Point, he fell in with several detachments of Early's troops. Rodes's and 
Ramseur's infantry were advanced to the attack, and a fierce skirmish 
occurred. The Federals lost quite heavily and were decidedly worsted. 
Getty's division of the Sixth Corps lost 250 killed and wounded. 

Sumner, Charles (January 6, iSii-March 11, 1874), an American states- 
man and orator, was bom at Boston, graduated in 1830 at Harvard, and 
studied law. On returning from an extended European tour, 1837-1840, he 
became profoundly interested in the anti-slavery question. Without entering 
into active politics, he became noted as an orator. Among his speeches at 
this period were those on the "True Grandeur of Nations" in 1846, and or^ 
the " Scholar, Jurist, etc.," in 1846. Sumner, who had been a moderate 
Whig, helped organize the Free-Soil party in 1848, and was defeated for 
Congress the same year. In 1851, after a prolonged struggle of three months 
in the INIassachusetts Legislature, he was elected U. S. Senator by a coalition 
of Democrats and Free-Soilers. He speedih* became the chief advocate in 
the Senate of the anti-slaver>' sentiment. His speech, " Freedom National, 
Slaver}^ Sectional," gave the signal of his course. That on the " Crime 
against Kansas," in May, 1856, provoked a personal assault from a Southern 
Representative, Preston Brooks. Sumner was severely injured, and did not 
resume his seat until 1859. He was meanwhile re-elected Senator as a 
Republican, and re-elected twice, serving until his death. In 1861 he became 
chairman of the Committee of Foreign AflFairs and was one of the chief 
friends and advisers of President Lincoln. He opposed Johnson, but sup- 
ported the Alaska purchase. In 1871 he strongly opposed the San Domingo 
Treaty, broke with President Grant and the Republican Senators, and was 
removed from his chairmanship. He supported Greeley in 1872, and gave 
his closing efforts to the furtherance of the civil rights of colored citizens. 
Complete works in fifteen volumes. " Memoir and Letters," by E. L. Pierce. 

Sumner, Edwin V. (i 797-1 863), general, led the cavaln,- charge at Cerro 
Gordo in 1847, commanded the reserves at Contreras and Churubusco and 
led the cavalry at Molino del Rey. He was Governor of New Mexico from 
1851 to 1853. He succeeded General Johnston in command of the Pacific 
Department from 1861 to 1862. He commanded the left wing at the siege 
of Yorktown, led a corps at Fair Oaks, was twice wounded during the Seven 
Days' battles, and commanded a corps at Antietam. He led a division at 
Fredericksburg and retired in 1863. 



634 Dictionary of United States History. 



e 



Sumner, Increase (1746— 1799), was a member of the Massachusetts 
Legislature from 1776 to 1780 and of the Senate from 1780 to 1782. He 
was a Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court from 1782 to 1797. He 
was a member of the convention that adopted the Federal Constitution in 
1788, and was Governor of Massachusetts from 1797 to 1799. 

Sumner, William G., born in 1840, became professor of political economy 
at Yale College in 1872. He has written a " History of American Currency," 
a " History of Protection in the United States," a life of Andrew Jackson, 
and " The Financier and Finances of the American Revolution." 

Sumter, Thomas (i 734-1 832), soldier, conducted partisan warfare at the 
beeinnine of the Revolution. He defeated a force of British and Tories, 
made an unsuccessful attack on Rocky Mount and routed the British at 
Hanging Rock. He severed the communications of Cornwallis and captured 
his supply train. He was severely defeated by Colonel Tarleton at Fishing 
Creek. He defeated Major Wemyss at Broad River, and repelled Colonel 
Tarleton at Blackstock Hill. He represented South Carolina in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1789 to 1793 and from 1797 to 1801, and in 
the Senate from 1801 to 1809. He was Minister to Brazil from 1809 to 
1811. 

Sumter, Fort, Charleston Harbor, opening engagement of the Civil War, 
April 12, 13, 1861, Major Anderson commanding the fort with 129 Union 
soldiers. General Beauregard the Confederate forces of about 6000 volun- 
teers. During the early period of secessionist agitation Anderson had com- 
manded the whole of Charleston harbor, including Forts Sumter, Moultrie, 
Johnson and Castle Pinckney. To obtain possession of these was the chief 
solicitude of South Carolina. Anderson, fearful of being surprised in unfor- 
tified Fort Moultrie, where he was stationed, moved his forces secretly to 
Sumter on the night of December 26, 1861. On that day a commission of 
three, deputed by the South Carolina Convention, arrived at Washington 
to treat with President Buchanan and make complaints against Anderson. 
Anderson's move caused a postponement of their accorded interview with 
Buchanan and, upon Governor Pickens' seizure of Fort Moultrie, Castle 
Pinckney, the Charleston Arsenal, Custom House and Post Office, the Presi- 
dent refused their demand of the withdrawal of the Federal troops. Pickens 
immediately proceeded to assemble volunteers and strengthen the captured 
forts. Beauregard was chosen to command the Confederate troops. Mean- 
time "The Star of the West," a merchant-steamer, was chartered and 
stocked with provisions for Anderson's relief. She sailed from New York 
January 5, 1861, with 250 recruits. On entering Charleston harbor and 
showing the United States flag she was fired upon from Fort Moultrie and 
compelled to put to sea again. Pickens demanded Anderson's surrender, 
which was refused. On April 8, 1861, President Lincoln notified Pickens 
and Beauregard that an attempt would be made to supply Anderson with 
provisions. This decided the Confederates for war, and on April 12, Ander- 
son having again refused to evacuate on terms agreeable to Beauregard, the 
latter commenced to fire on Fort Sumter. The bombardment continued two 
days. April 14 Anderson surrendered because of lack of provisions and 



Dictionary of United vStates History. 635 

because portions of the fort were in flames. The firing upon Fort Sumter 
did more than any of the previous acts of the secessionists to rouse the 
North to resistance. Immense enthusiasm for the cause of the Union was 
immediately awakened. — Fort Sumter was assailed by Admiral Dahlgren's 
fleet on the night of September 8, 1863. This attack was led by Commo- 
dore Stephens and proved an utter failure, Beauregard's batteries easily 
driving oflf the attacking troops. In February, 1865, the Union flag was 
once more raised over Fort Sumter. 

Sunbury. In the autumn of 1778, Sunbur>', Ga., had resisted a force sent 
north from Florida by the British general Prevost. Early in January, 
1779, Prevost marched to Savannah, and on his way captured Sunbury and 
its garrison. 

Sunday Laws. In the New England colonies laws were early passed 
forbidding labor, travel or play on the " Sabbath." A IMassachusetts Act of 
1649 provided for the beginning of this prohibition on the evening of Satur- 
day. In New York the "Duke's Laws" (1665) forbade the profanation of 
the Ivord's Day by travel or labor. Pennsylvania in the first laws (those of 16S2) 
forbade labor. South Carolina, in 1684, forbade profanation of the Sabbath. 
Virginia, in 1692, forbade travel or profanation. All the colonies, Puritan 
or not, seem to have had such laws, and these continued in existence after 
the Revolution. 

Sunday Newspapers. The first started in this country was the Sunday 
Courier^ which appeared in New York in 1825 and lived but a few months. 
Several other Sunday journals, however, followed the Sunday Courier. 
Of these the Atlas, started in 1837 by three journeymen printers, was the 
most successful. Prior to the Civil War about a dozen of these Sunday 
papers were begun and discontinued after a short time. They gradually 
became more successful, many of the dailies issuing a Sunday edition. The 
public sentiment was strongly against them at first. By 1880 there were 
225 Sunday papers, half that number being Sunday editions of dailies. 

Superintendent of Finance, an office established by Act of the Contin- 
ental Congress, February 7, 1781, to supersede the Treasury Board, which 
was suspected of carelessness. Robert Morris filled this office. He was 
authorized to examine the state of the finances and report plans for improve- 
ment; to direct the execution of orders respecting revenue and expenditure 
and control the public accounts. In 1784 Morris resigned and the office was 
abolished. 

Supreme Court. The Constitution of 1787 provided for a vSupreme Court. 
The Judiciary Act of 1789 prescribed its times of session and its rules of 
procedure. Washington appointed Jay Chief Justice and the court began its 
sessions in 1790. For a dozen years it had little business. John Marshall, 
Chief Justice from 1801 to 1835, first made the court a great power in the 
Government. The influence of his decisions in strengthening and national- 
izing the Government cannot be over-estimated. For the court's power to 
set aside State and Federal laws as unconstitutional see art. Unconstitution- 
ality. The court continued to be composed of Federalists long after the 
Federalists lost control of Congress and the executive. At first it consisted 



636 



Dictionary of United States History. 



of the Chief Justice and five Associate Justices. A sixth was added in 1807, 
two more in 1837, a ninth in 1863. From 1836 to 1864, under Chief Justice 
Taney, the court was Democratic, and more inclined to the support of State 
rights. In the important Dred-Scott case it gave a decision favorable to 
slavery. During the war the Supreme Court was made Republican. During 
the conflict between Congress and President Johnson, Congress, to prevent 
him from appointing any judges, enacted laws which reduced the number 
of Associate Justices to seven. In 1870 an eighth was added, by reason of 
which the court reversed its decision in the Legal Tender cases. The court 
has been throughout its history the most powerful tribunal of this century. 
The leading cases which have appeared before it are treated in separate 
articles. A list of the Justices follows. History by Carson. (For the reports 
see next art.) 

Supreme Court, Chief Justices and Associate Justices. 



Chief Justices. 



John Jay 



John Rutledge . . 
William Gushing , 

Oliver Ellsworth . 



John Jay . . 
John Marshall 



Roger B. Taney 



Associate Justices. 



John Rutledge . . 
William Gushing . 
Robert H. Harrison 
James Wilson . . . 
John Blair .... 
James Iredell . . . 
Thomas Johnson 
William Paterson . 
(Not confirmed) . . 



Samuel Ghase 



Bushrod Washington 
Alfred Moore . . . . 



William Johnson . . 
Brockholst Livingston 
Thomas Todd .... 
Levi Lincoln .... 
John Quincy Adams . , 
Joseph Story . . . . , 
Gabriel Duvall . . . , 
Smith Thompson . . , 
Robert Trimble . . . , 

John McLean 

Henry Baldwin . . . , 
James M. Wayne . . . 



Philip P. Barbour . 

William Smith . . 

3phn Gatron . . . 

John McKinley . . 

Peter V. Daniel . . 

Samuel Nelson . . 

Levi Woodbury . . 

Robert G. Grier . . 
Benjamin R. Gurtis 

John A. Gampbell . 

Nathan Glifford . . 

Noah H. Swayne . 



State. 



New York . . 
South Carolina 
Massachusetts 
Maryland . • 
Pennsylvania 
Virginia . . 
North Carolina 
Maryland . . 
New Jersey . 
South Carolina 
Massachusetts 
Maryland . . 
Connecticut 
Virginia . 
North Carolina 
New York 
Virginia 
South Carolina 
New York 
Kentucky . . 
Massachusetts 
Massachusetts 
Massachusetts 
Marj'land . . 
New York 
Kentucky . . 
Ohio .... 
Pennsylvania 
Georgia . . 
Maryland . . 
Virginia . . 
Alabama . . 
Tennessee . . 
Alabama . . 
Virginia . . 
New York 
New Hampshire 
Pennsylvania 
Massachusetts 
Alabama . . 
Maine . . . 
Ohio .... 



Term of Service. 



17S9 to 
1789. 
17S9 to 
1789 to 

1789 to 
17S9 to 

1790 to 

1791 to 
1793 to 

1795 to 

1796. 

1796 to 
1796 to 

1798 to 

1799 to 
iSoo. 
1801 to 
1804 to 
1807 to 
1807 to 

I8II. 
I8II. 

iSii to 
1811 to 
1823 to 
1826 to 

1829 to 

1830 to 

1835 to 

1836 to 

1836 to 

1837. 

1837 to 
1837 to 
1841 to 

1845 to 
184s to 

1846 to 
185 1 to 
1853 to 
1858 to 
1862 to 



1795- 

Declined. 

1 8 10. 

1790. 

1798. 

1796- 

1799- 

1793- 

1806. 

1795: 

Declined. 

1811. 

1800. 

1829. 

1804. 

Declined. 

1835- 

1S34. 

1823. 

1826. 

Declined. 

Declined. 

1845. 

1835- 

1843. 

1828. 

]S6i. 

1844. 

1S67. 

1864. 

1841. 

Declined. 

1865. 

1S52. 

i860. 

1872. 

1851. 

1870. 

1857. 
i86r. 
1881. 
1881. 







r( Ji») 



ry<*^ 



-*r 



v'i. 



fe 







nqi ^' /i 






CHIEF JUSTICES OF SUPREME COURT. 



John Jay. Salmon P Chase. 

Oliver Ellsworth 
John Rutledge. J. Marshall. 



Melville W Fuller. 



ne^ 



Dictionary of United States History. 



637 



Chief Justices. 


Associate Justices. 


State. 


Term of Service. 




Samuel F. Miller .... 


Iowa 


1862 to 1890. 




David Da\-is 


Illinois 


1862 to 1877 






Stephen J. Field 


California 


1863 to 




Salmon P. Chase .... 




Ohio 


1864 to 1873 






Edwin M. Stanton .... 


Penns3-lvania .... 


1869.* 






William Strong 


Pennsylvania .... 


1870 to 1880 






Joseph P. Bradley .... 


New Jersey 


1870 to 1892 






Ward Hunt 


New York 


1872 to 1886 




Morrison R. Waite . 




Ohio 


1874 to 1S87 






John M. Harlan 


Kentucky 


1877 to 






William B. Woods .... 


Georgia 


1880 to 1887 






Stanley Matthews .... 


Ohio 


1881 to 1889 






Horace Gray 


Massachusetts .... 


1S81 to 






Samuel Blatchford .... 


New York 


1882 to 1893 






Lucius Q. C. Lamar . . . 


Mississippi 


1 888 to 1893 




Melville W. Fuller . . . 




Illinois 

Kansas 


1888 to 

1889 to 






David J. Brewer 






Henry B. Brown 


Michigan 


1891 to 






George Shiras, Jr 


Pennsylvania .... 


1892 to 






Howell E. Jackson . . . 


Tennessee 


1893 to 1895 






Edward D. White .... 


Louisiana 


1894 to 





Supreme Court Reports begin with the volume numbered 2 Dallas, and 
consist of the following: Dallas, 3 vols., 1790-1800; Cranch, 9 vols., 1800— 
1815; Wheaton, 12 vols., 1816-1827; Peters, 16 vols., 1828-1842; Howard, 
24 vols., 1843-1860; Black, 2 vols., 1861-1862; Wallace, 23 vols., 1863- 
1875; from this point they are numbered 90 U. S., 91 U. S., etc. 

Surplus, Distribution of. The distribution of the treasury surplus 
among the States in preference to appropriating it to internal improvements 
was advocated by President Jackson in 1829, the debt having been paid, 
while the compromise of 1832 forbade the reduction of the tariff. In 1836 
a bill to this effect was passed by Congress, and to it was joined a bill to 
regulate the public deposits. Afterward an attempt was made to separate 
the two bills, but this failed. The bill provided that all the money in the 
treasury, January' i, 1837, in excess of $5,000,000, was to be deposited with 
the States in the proportion of their membership in the electoral college, and 
in four installments. The States were to give certificates of deposits, pay- 
able to the Secretary of the Treasury on demand. Jackson defended this 
step on the ground that many of the States were " improvement States," 
with a growing money market and a large debt, and therefore in urgent 
need of funds. The States mostly misused the money. Only three of the 
four installments were paid, when the crash of 1837 came upon the Federal 
Government, and no more was paid. History by Bourne. 

" Susan Constant," a vessel sent with colonists to Virginia in 1606 by 
the Virginia Company. She was commanded by Christopher Newport, and 
was accompanied by the " God-Speed " and the " Discover},'." The colonists 
landed ]\Iay 13, 1607. 

Susquehannah Company, a land company formed in 1754, chiefly of 
Connecticut farmers, for the colonization of the Wyoming country-. By 
* Died before his commission took effect. 



638 Dictionary of United States History. 

a treaty with the Five Nations, July 11, 1754, an enormous tract of country 
was purchased for ^2000. It began at the southern boundary of Connecti- 
cut and followed in a northerly direction the course of the Susquehannah to 
northern Pennsylvania. In 1 785-1 786 many disputes arose between the 
Susquehannah Company and the Pennsylvania claimants of the territory. 
This was called the " Pennamite War." (See Wyoming Controversy.) 

Susquehannas, or Conestogas, an extinct tribe of Indians, once inhabit- 
ing lands on the Susquehanna River. They waged fierce wars with neigh- 
boring tribes, and became so troublesome to Maryland that they were pro- 
claimed public enemies in 1642. In 1652 they ceded lands to the colony. In 
1675, after a bitter struggle with the Iroquois, they were overthrown. Some, 
retreating to Marjdand, were attacked by the whites. The Indians then 
ravaged the frontier until completely cut off. A remnant of the tribe, dur- 
ing a period of excitement against the Indians, was butchered at Lancaster, 
Pa., 1763. 

Sutter, John A. (1803-1880), came to America from Baden in 1834. In 
1 84 1 he founded a settlement on the present site of Sacramento. The first 
gold in California was found on his estate in 1848. 

Swaanendael, a settlement established in 1632 on the Delaware River at 
the site of the present town of Lewiston, Del., by Godyn, Blommaert, 
De Vries and others. A fort was also built. Trouble soon arose with the 
Indians and the inhabitants were massacred. 

Swamp Fight, a fight in the Narragansett countr\', in what is now South 
Kingstown, R. I., on December 19, 1675, during King Philip's War. Philip 
and his allies, entrenched in a strong palisade in the midst of a swamp, were 
attacked by the forces of Massachusetts, Plymouth and Connecticut, and de- 
feated with great slaughter; the stockade was destroyed. 

Swamp Lands. In 1849 Congress passed a resolution which led to the 
grant of enonnous tracts of overflowed and swamp lands to the States for their 
disposal. These were in many instances regranted to railroad corporations. 

Swann, Thomas (i 805-1 883), was president of the Baltimore and Ohio 
Railroad from 1847 ^ ^853, Governor of Man,'land from 1865 to 1869, and 
a Democratic U. S. Congressman from 1869 to 1879. 

Swansea, Mass., was attacked by the Indians on June 20, 23, 25, 1675, 
during King Philip's War. Many houses were burned and terrible atrocities 
committed. 

Swayne, Noah H. (1804 1884), was U. S. District Attorney for Ohio 
from 1831 to 1841. He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 1862 
to 1881, when he resigned. 

Sweden and Norway. Sweden was the first nation to offer voluntarily 
her friendship to the United States. A treaty of amity and commerce was 
concluded in 1783. With Sweden and Norway a commercial treaty was con- 
cluded in 1816, and another in 1827. An extradition convention was con- 
cluded in i860, and a naturalization convention in 1869. A new extradition 
treaty was concluded January 14, 1893. 



Dictionary of United States History. 639 

Swedenborgians (New Jerusalem Church). A sect named after its founder, 
Emanuel Swedenborg, and because they believe that his teachings super- 
seded the old form of Christianity and brought in the " New Jerusalem." 
Swedenborg himself founded no church, but his followers organized bodies 
in sympathy with his teachings. The first church in the United States was 
founded at Baltimore, 1792, and since 1817 a general convention meets 
annually, which now represents some five thousand members. 

Swedes. The Swedish element in U. S. history came originally in the 
settlement of New Sweden. (See Delaware.) The Swedish language was 
spoken there until after the Revolution, when the Swedish king ceased to 
send out a Swedish pastor, as he had hitherto done, because it seemed no 
longer necessary. Swedish immigration to the United States began to be 
important about 1846, and increased rapidly after 1876. Immigrants from 
Sweden and Norway have constituted six per cent of all immigrants since 
1820. 

Swedish West India Company, or the South Compauy, founded in Octo- 
ber, 1624, by Willem Usselinx, of Antwerp, under a charter granted by Gus- 
tavus Adolphus, of special trading privileges with America. The king 
subscribed 400,000 daler, and stock was taken by other Swedes, among them 
Chancellor Oxenstjerna. Combining later with certain Dutch merchants, 
the company effected settlements along the Delaware River. The charter 
extended to 1646. 

Sweeney, Thomas W. (1820-1892), came to the United States from Ire- 
land in 1832. He served with distinction during the Mexican War. He 
served at Wilson's Creek and Fort Donelson, and led a brigade at vShiloh. 
He commanded a division in the Atlanta campaign, and fought at Snake 
Creek Gap, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. He engaged 
in the Fenian invasion of Canada in 1866. 

Sweet, Benjamin J. (1832-1874), was severely wounded at Perryville in 
1861. In 1864 he took command of the prison at Camp Douglas, Chicago, 
where he defeated two well-planned attempts to liberate the prisoners and 
burn Chicago. 

Swett, Samuel (1782-1866), of Massachusetts, served on the staff" of Gen- 
eral Izard during the War of 1812. He wrote "History of the Battle of 
Bunker Hill," " Who was Commander at Bunker Hill ? " and " Defence of 
Timothy Pickering against Bancroft's History." 

Swinton, William (1833-1892), became connected with the New York 
Times in 1858 and became a war correspondent in 1862. He traveled in the 
South in 1867 and collected material for a " History- of the Civil War." 
He wrote the Times' " Review of McClellan," " Campaigns of the Army of 
the Potomac," " The Twelve Decisive Battles of the War," and an excellent 
series of school books. 

Swiss. In 1711 a number of Swiss and Germans emigrated to South 
Carolina led by Jean Pierre Purr\', and in 1732 an extensive tract was 
granted to a new body from Neufchatel, along the Savannah River. 



640 Dictionary of United States History. 

Swiss Confederation. The United States concluded, in 1847, with the 
Swiss Confederation a convention for the mutual abolition of droit d'aubaine 
and taxes on emigration. In 1850 a convention of friendship, commerce and 
extradition was concluded. 

Sykes, George (1822-1880), served with distinction during the Civil War. 
He commanded a battalion at Bull Run. He had charge of the infantry in 
the defence of Washington from 1861 to 1862. He led a division at Gaines' 
Mills and a corps at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. He commanded a 
corps in the Army of the Potomac till 1864, when he was sent to Kansas. 

Symmes Purchase. John Cleves Symmes and his associates bought in 
1787 a tract of land along the Ohio and INIiami Rivers. The tract originally 
contained 1,000,000 acres, but was reduced later to 248,540 acres, because of 
the partial failure of the colonization plans. The first pre-emption law was 
passed in 1801 for the furtherance of this scheme. 



X. 

Taft, Alphonso (1810-1891), of Ohio, was Secretary of War in Grant's 
Cabinet from March to May, 1876, when he was made Attorney-General and 
served till 1877. He was Minister to Austria from 1882 to 1884, and to 
Russia from 1884 to 1885. 

Talbot, Silas (1751-1813), rendered brilliant service in the navy during 
the Revolution, capturing many British vessels. He represented New York 
in the U. S. Congress as a Federalist from 1793 to 1795. 

Talcott, John (1630— 1688), was treasurer of the Connecticut colony from 
1660 to 1676. He was one of the patentees named in the charter of 1662. 
He commanded the colonial army during the Indian wars. 

Taliaferro, William B., born in 1822, was prominent in the Confederate 
army of Northern Virginia from 1861 to 1863. He commanded at Morris 
and James Islands in 1863. In 1864 he commanded the district of South 
Carolina. 

Talladega, a village of the Creek Indians of Alabama in 1813. Novem- 
ber 7, Andrew Jackson, then conducting a campaign against the Creeks, 
received a message from Talladega, which was a friendly town, begging aid 
against the hostile tribes. Jackson replied by marching to Talladega and 
defeating the Creeks, November 8. 

Tallahassee, Fla., was selected as the seat of the territorial government 
in 1822. It was laid out in 1824, and became a city in 1827. Tallahassee 
was occupied May 10, 1865, by General McCook and 500 Federal soldiers 
for the purpose of receiving the surrender of the Confederates in that sec- 
tion, who were commanded by Sam Jones. No fighting of consequence 
occurred. 

Talleyrand-Pe'rigord, Charles Maurice, Prince de (1754-1838), the 
famous French diplomatist, was minister of foreign affairs in France when 



Dictionary op United States History. 641 

Pinckney, Marshall and Gerry were sent from the United States on a special 
mission in 1797. He demanded (i) a disavowal of President Adams' hostile 
expressions toward France; (2) a loan, and (3) douceurs, which the Ameri- 
ican envoys refused to concede. The unofficial French negotiators, Hot- 
tinguer, Bellamy and Hauteval, were designated as X, Y and Z in the reports 
sent to the United States. These X, Y, Z papers aroused great indignation 
against France. L,ater, Talleyrand made overtures for more favorable nego- 
tiations. He had visited the United States in 1794. He was still Minister 
at the time of the Louisiana cession of 1803. 

Tallmadge, Benjamin (i 754-1835), commanded detachments during the 
Revolution at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Lloyd's Neck and Fort 
George. He represented Connecticut in the U. S. Congress as a Federalist 
from 1801 to 1817. 

Tallmadge, James (1778-1853), represented New York in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1817 to 1819. He proposed the exclusion of sla- 
ver)' from Missouri as a condition of its admission to the Union as a State, 
and delivered a widely popular speech in opposition to slavery. He was 
Lieutenant-Governor of New York from 1826 to 1827. ^^ was one of the 
founders of the American Institute at New York and its president from 1831 
to 1850. 

Talmage, Thomas DeWitt, born in 1832, has been pastor of the Central 
Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn since 1869. He is a popular preacher and 
lecturer. 

Tammany (seventeenth century), was chief of the Delaware Indians. He 
was a brave and influential chieftain about whom there are many traditions. 
He is the patron of the Democratic organization called the Tammany 
Society. 

Tammany. In 1789 William Mooney, an Irish-American politician, 
founded in New York City the Columbian Order, a secret society, which in 
1805 was incorporated as the Tammany Society, named after the Indian 
Tammany, and wearing Indian insignia, especially a buck's tail. In 1800, by 
careful work under Aaron Burr, the order controlled New York City politics. 
Next, under Daniel D. Tompkins, it became the administration wing of the 
Democratic party in New York City, upholding Madison and opposing the 
Clintons. The Bucktails and the Albany Regency controlled the State for 
a long period. In 1S22 the power o\-er the society had gone into the hands 
of its general committee. Stricter and stricter organization followed, and 
Tammany developed into a machine for securing success in elections and 
power and plunder for its chieftains. Always indifferent to principles, it 
grew worse after the influx of foreigners into the city, till after the war its 
corruption culminated in the scandalous performances of the Tweed Ring. 
(See art.) Since the defeat of the Tweed Ring in 1871, Tammany, under 
the control of John Kelly, Richard Croker and others, has been famous for 
strict control over a large body of voters, strict devotion to the spoils system, 
looseness of allegiance to the Democratic part}-, and indifference to the wel- 
fare and interests of the great city which it has almost constantly ruled. 

41 



642 Dictionary of United States History. 

Taney, Roger Brooke (1777-1864), Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme 
Court, was graduated at Dickinsou College, became a member of the Mary- 
land Legislature, and settled in Baltimore. Lawyer and politician, at first 
Federalist and later Jacksonian Democrat, he was Attorney-General 1S31- 
1833, and was appointed by President Jackson as Secretary of the Treasury 
in 1833, to take the place of a less subservient official. Taney was not 
confirmed by the Senate, but in his few months of service he ordered the 
removal of the Government deposits from the bank. The President nomi- 
nated him as Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court in 1835, and he was 
confirmed in the following year. In his long service, until his death, various 
important questions were decided, chief of which in interest was the Dred 
Scott case in 1857. Life by Tyler. 

Tappan Patent, a grant of land in what is now Orange County, N. Y., 
made in 1686 by Governor Dongan, of New York, to six Dutch patentees. 
The land was to be held in free and common socage of King James II. 

Tariff. Before 1789 colonies and States occasionally levied tariffs ou 
imports, sometimes of a protective nature. The diversity of these tariffs 
and the consequent hindrances to commerce formed one cause of the cement- 
ing of a stronger union in 1787. The new Constitution gave Congress power 
to regulate commerce. In 1789 the First Congress passed a tariff act which 
imposed on imports duties averaging about eight per cent ad valorem. In 
1790, and again in 1792, the rates were slightly increased. They were in 
large part so adjusted as to give protection to American industries. This 
policy Hamilton and the Federalists constantly advocated, largely for politi- 
cal reasons. The War of 181 2 gave artificial stimulus to American manu- 
factures, which was accordingly continued by the tariff of 1816, which 
imposed duties of about twenty-five per cent on leading manufactures, the 
agricultural South and commercial New England protesting. In 1824 a 
new tariff act was passed, increasing duties on metals and agricultural pro- 
ducts. Clay now made himself the leader in advocacy of the "American 
system," so-called, the combination of a higher protective tariff with Federal 
e.xpenditures for internal improvements. A protectionist convention at Har- 
risburg urged higher duties. In 1828 a tariff called the " tariff of abomina- 
tions " imposed duties on raw materials. It was passed by reason of political 
intrigues, rather than by reason of economic considerations. The South 
protested violently, urging not only the injustice of a high tariff from which 
exporting States received no benefit, but also its unconstitutionality. Cal- 
houn and South Carolina took the lead in this remonstrance. Though the 
tariff of 1832 went back nearly to the rates of 1824, it retained the principle 
of protection. South Carolina then proceeded to nullify the act. Though 
Jackson met nullification with vigorous repression, Congress compromised 
in the tariff of 1833, which provided for a gradual reduction of duties to a 
uniform reveniie rate, to be reached in 1842. In 1846 a new tariff was 
enacted, which, though not quite a tariff " for revenue only," was rather a 
revenue than a protective tariff. A still lower tariff came in in 1857. This 
remained until 1861, when the Morrill Tariff went into effect, in accordance 
with the policy of the Republicans, now in power, who favored high protec- 
tive duties. The Civil War caused large increase of the rates to meet 



Dictionary of United States History. 643 

Government expenses and stimulate manufactures. These continued long- 
after the war. In 1882 a Tariff Commission was appointed to consider readjust- 
ments, and the Republicans made some slight reductions. Since then they 
have returned to advocacy of high protection, while the Democrats, since 
President Cleveland's message of 1887, have favored reduction of the rates. 
The McKinley Act of 1890 maintained and strengthened the protective 
system. A Democratic bill for moderate reduction was introduced into the 
House in December, 1893. History by Taussig. 

Tariff Commission, a commission appointed by an Act of Congress of 
March 28, 1882, to consist of nine members appointed from civil life by the 
President. The duty of this commission was to investigate questions relating 
to the commercial, mercantile, agricultural, manufacturing and mining inter- 
ests of the United States and make suggestions for the establishment of a. 
judicious tariff, or a revision of the existing tariff and the internal revenue: 
laws. 

Tarleton, Sir Bannastre (1754-1833), colonel, came to America from Eng- 
land with Lord Cornwallis in 1776. He engaged in Colonel Harcourt's raid 
upon Baskingridge, N.J. In 1779 he organized the "British Legion," or 
" Tarleton's Legion," in South Carolina, with which he conducted partisan 
warfare. He slaughtered Colonel Buford's regiment at Waxhaw Creek and 
fought bravely at Camden and Fishing Creek. He was defeated at Black- 
stock Hill by General Sumter and his force was almost annihilated at Cow- 
pens by General Morgan. He surrendered with Cornwallis at Yorktown. He 
wrote " A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781 in the Southern Prov- 
inces of North America." 

Tattnall, Josiah (1795-1871), served in a seamen's battery on Craney 
Island during the War of 181 2. He served in Decatur's squadron during 
the Algerine War. He was given command of the " Spitfire " at the out- 
break of the Mexican War and commanded the Mosquito division at the 
siege of Vera Cruz. In 1861 he entered the Confederate service and was 
given command of the naval defences of Georgia and South Carolina. He 
led an attack on Port Royal in 1861. In 1862 he commanded the " Merrimack" 
He was active in the defense of Savannah. 

Taxables, in the Southern colonies, meant persons upon whom a poll-tax 
was paid (called tithables in Virginia). In Marj-land, for instance, taxables 
included all males and all female slaves of sixteen years or more, excepting 
beneficed clergymen of the Church of England, paupers and disabled slaves. 

Taxation. In the earlier days of the American colonies there was little 
need of taxation; quit rents satisfied the proprietary or company. Volun- 
tary contributions, forfeitures, fines and payments for land defrayed the 
greater part of the colonial expenses. By the year 1653, however, we find 
the colonists complaining of the injustice of chimney and head money, 
tithes on grain, flax, hemp, tobacco, butter, cheese and excessive export 
duties. In 1796 most of the States passed laws to regulate taxation, adopting 
various methods of apportionment and collection, and varying often in the 
objects taxed. All levied a tax on land except Delaware, and there was a 
uniform poll tax in nine; other things taxed were horses and cattle and farm 



644 Dictionary of United States History. 

stock, stock in trade of merchants, money on hand or at interest, houses, 
slaves, carriages, billiard tables, processes of law and official papers. The 
period between 1796 and the Civil War was the transition period as regards 
taxation, the modern system of taxation being gradually developed. About 
1851 a uniform rate of taxation began to be introduced in some States. The 
Federal Government has raised little money by direct taxes (see art. Direct 
Taxes), and has used the income tax only in the Civil War. It has raised 
its revenue through indirect taxation. (See Excise, Internal Revenue, 
Tariff.) 

"Taxation no Tyranny," a famous pamphlet against the cause of the 
American colonies, written by Dr. Samuel Johnson, and published in London 
in 1775. 

Taylor, Bayard (1825-1878), author, came into prominence by his accounts 
of a pedestrian tour in Europe from 1844 to 1846. In 1S47 ^^^ became an 
editor on the stafiF of the Tribune. He made extensive travels through 
Europe, Asia and Africa. He was Secretary of Legation at St. Petersburg 
from 1862 to 1863 and Minister to Berlin in 1878. He wrote an admirable 
translation of Goethe's Faust. 

Taylor, George (1716-1781), came to America from Ireland in 1736. He 
served in the Pennsylvania Legislature from 1764 to 1769. He represented 
Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1777, and signed the 
Declaration of Independence. 

Taylor, John (1750-1824), called John Taylor of Caroline, represented 
Virginia in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 1792 to 1794 and from 
[822 to 1824. During the interval he served in the Virginia House of 
Delegates, where he moved the celebrated Virginia Resolutions of 1798. He 
wrote " Inquiry into the Principles and Policy of the Government of the United 
States," " Construction Construed and the Constitution Vindicated " and 
" New Views of the Constitution of the United States," leading works of the 
State-rights school. 

Taylor, John (1770-1832), was admitted to the bar in 1793. He was a 
member of the South Carolina Legislature for a number of years, represented 
South Carolina in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1807 to 1810, 
when he became a U. S. Senator and served until 1816. He was a U. S. 
Congressman from 181 6 to 181 7, and Governor of South Carolina from 1826 
to 1828. 

Taylor, John (i 808-1 887), came to Canada from England in 1832. He 
became a Monnon apostle in 1838, and succeeded to the presidency of the 
Mormon Church in 1877. He was indicted for polygamy in 1885. 

Taylor, John W. (i 784-1 854), represented New York in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1813 to 1833. He was Speaker of the House from 
1820 to 1821, during the passage of the Missouri Compromise, and from 1S25 
to 1827. He delivered the first speech in Congress plainly opposing the 
extension of slavery. He aided in organizing the National Republican and 
the Whig parties. 



Dictionary of United States History. 645 

Taylor, Richard (1826-1879), son of President Zachary Taylor, was a 
member of the Louisiana Legislature from 1856 to i860. He was a member 
of the Louisiana Secessionist Convention. He commanded a Louisiana regi- 
ment at Bull Run, and a brigade in General Jackson's Virginia campaign. 
He distinguished himself at Middletown, Winchester, Cross Keys, Port 
Republic and the seven days' battles before Richmond. In 1863 and 1864 
he commanded the department west of the Mississippi. He defeated 
General Banks at Sabine Cross-Roads in 1864. In 1864 he commanded 
the East Louisiana Department. He wrote " Destruction and Reconstruc- 
tion." 

Taylor, William R. (181 1-1889), commanded the "St. Mary's" during 
the Mexican War and served at the siege of Vera Cruz. He commanded 
the "Housatouic" from 1861 to 1863, and the "Juniata" at Fort Fisher. 

Taylor, Zachary (September 24, 1784-July 9, 1850), twelfth President of 
the United States, was born in Orange County, Va. He received an appoint- 
ment to the U. S. army as first lieutenant in 1808. In 1812 he conducted 
a defence of Fort Harrison against the Indians. After the long period of 
comparative peace he served in the Black Hawk War, and becoming colonel, 
was appointed to command against the Seminoles in Florida. There, in 
December, 1837, he won the battle of Okeechobee. When war with Mexico 
was approaching, Taylor was ordered to the disputed Texan frontier. He 
gained the victory of Palo Alto, May 8, 1846, Resaca de la Palma, May 9, 
and occupied Matamoras. He was made major-general, and stormed Mont- 
erey in September. In the following campaign General Taylor, who had 
been compelled to detach some of his best troops, was attacked by vastly 
superior forces under Santa Anna, and gained a brilliant victory at Buena 
Vista, February 22-23, i847- " ^^^ Rough and Ready " was now the national 
hero. The following year the Whigs nominated him as candidate for Presi- 
dent over such competitors as Clay and Webster, and he was elected and 
entered on his duties in 1849. The California question complicated with 
the absorbing slavery topic was the chief matter in President Taylor's admin- 
istration; he died before the compromise was completed. 

Taylor vs. Reading, a New Jersey case, memorable because one of the 
earliest cases in which a court took upon itself to pronoxmce upon the con- 
stitutionality of a legislative enactment. The Legislature of New Jersey 
passed an act in 1795, upon the petition of the defendants in the case of 
Taylor vs. Reading, declaring that in certain cases payments made in Con- 
tinental money should be credited as specie. The Court of Appeals deemed 
this an ex post facto law, and as such unconstitutional and inoperative. 

Tazewell, Littleton W. (i 774-1860), was a member of the Virginia 
House of Delegates from 1796 to 1800, a Congressman from 1800 to 1801. 
He heartily supported the War of 1812. He was appointed a commissioner 
to Spain in 1819 under the treaty for the purchase of Florida. He repre- 
sented Virginia in the U. wS. Senate as a Democrat from 1S25 to 1833. ^^ 
was a prominent member of the convention to revise the Virginia constitu- 
tion in 1829, and was Governor of Virginia from 1834 to 1836. In 1840 he 
received eleven electoral votes for Vice-President. Life by Grigsby. 



'646 Dictionary of United States History. 

Tea. June 29, 1767, at the instance of Lord North, Parliament passed an 
act levying a high duty on tea imported into the colonies. In 1769 the citi- 
zens of Boston sent vigorous resolutions to the King denouncing this act. 
It was partially repealed in 1770, but the East India Company was later 
assisted by the Government in shipping a surplus quantity of tea to Boston. 
December i, 1773, the citizens of Boston held a meeting to consult concern- 
ing the most effectual method of preventing the landing of this tea. 
Another meeting was held December 10, and parties of citizens disguised 
as " Mohawks," made a raid upon the vessels and threw the tea overboard. 
In several of the other colonies the landing of tea was prohibited and the 
■cargoes sent whence they came. 

Tecumseh, or Tecumtha, (176S 7-1813), chief of the Shawnee Indians, 
joined his brother Ellskwatawa, " the Prophet," in an attempt to organize 
the Western Indians in a confederacy against the whites. ' The scheme was 
defeated by the battle of Tippecanoe in 181 1. He aided the British in the 
War of 181 2, serving at Raisin River and Maguaga. He was joint com- 
mander at Fort Meigs, where he protected the American forces from mas- 
sacre. He served at Lake Erie, and led the left wing at the battle of the 
Thames, where he was killed. 

Telegraph. The telegraph was first brought into practical use in the 
United States by Professor S. F. B. Morse. He began his experiments in 1832, 
aided by L. D. Gale and George and Alfred Vail. In 1837 he filed a caveat 
an the Patent OiEce at Washington, and in 1840 obtained a patent covering the 
improvements he had made in the meantime. The first line established was 
Between Baltimore and Washington, it being successfully operated May 27, 
1844. In October, 1842, Morse had attempted to operate a line from Gover- 
nor's Island to the Battery in New York, but this experiment failed. Samuel 
Colt, in 1843, ^^^'^ ^ submarine cable from Coney Island and Fire Island, at 
the mouth of New York harbor, up to the city, and operated it successfully 
ibr a time. In i860 it was estimated that there were over 50,000 miles 
■of telegraph lines in operation in the United States, and at present the lines 
<extend over 190,000 miles. In 1857 Cyrus W. Field attempted to connect 
Europe and America by means of an Atlantic cable. The first attempt 
failed, but the laying of the cable was finally accomplished August 5, 1S58. 
^See Atlantic Cable.) 

Telephone. The invention of the telephone is claimed by Gray, of 
Chicago; Bell, formerly of the Institute of Technology, of Boston, now of 
Washington, and several others. The possibility of such an instrument was 
discovered previous to 1873, but the first satisfactory results were not 
obtained until 1877, when Bell completed and put into practical use a tele- 
phone line between Salem and Boston, Gray achieving a like result the 
same year in a line set up between Chicago and Milwaukee, a distance of 
«ighty-five miles. By 1880 there were in existence 148 telephone companies 
.and private concerns, operating 34,305 miles of wire (1893, 308,000 miles). 
Conversation can now be carried on easily between New York and Chicago, 
and for even greater distances. The Bell Coi ipany is the most extensive. 
"Two suits have been brought against the patent, but both have failed. 




AMERICAN INVENTORS. 



Peter Coope 
Charles Goodyear. 
Samuel F. B. Morse. 

Ell Whitney. 
Samuel Colt. 



E. B. Bigelow. 
Richard M, Hoe. Oliver Evans. 

Thomas A. Edison. Alexander Graham Bell. 

Cyrus W. Fi°ld. Cyrus H. McCormick. 

Elias Howe. Robert Fulton. 



Dictionary of United States History. 647 

Teller, Henry M., born in 1830, was major-general of Colorado militia 
from 1862 to 1864. He represented Colorado in the U. S. Senate as a 
Republican from 1876 to 1882. From 1877 to 1878, he was chairman of the 
special committee on election frauds. He was Secretar\^ of the Interior in 
Arthur's Cabinet from 18S2 to 1885. He was again elected to the U. S. 
Senate in 1885, 1891 and 1897. 

Temperance. (See Prohibition.) 

Ten-Forties, bonds bearing five per cent interest, redeemable at any 
time after ten years from the date of issue, and payable in full at the end of 
forty years, issued by the U. S. Government in 1864. 

Ten-Hour Law. In the early years of manufactures the working day 
sometimes extended to thirteen or fourteen hours. After the passage of the 
ten-hour law in England in 1847, the working classes in this country 
demanded a similar law. In 1853, the manufacturing companies in Lowell, 
Lawrence and Fall River voluntarily reduced the working day to eleven 
hours. In 1874, Massachusetts enacted a law prescribiug a ten-hour day for 
all females and all males under eighteen years of age employed in textile 
factories. Similar laws have been passed elsewhere. 

Tennessee was originally a part of North Carolina. The first settlements 
were made by a company of hunters on the Watauga in the eastern part of 
the State in 1769. When North Carolina proposed to surrender the territory 
to the U. S. Government, these settlers protested, and formed a separate 
State Government under the name of Frankland or Franklin. They elected 
a Governor, John Sevier, and a legislature which requested admission to the 
Union as a State. In 1788 the State Government was overthrown by the in- 
habitants of the State who were favorable to North Carolina, an act of 
amnesty was passed by the Legislature of North Carolina, and Sevier was 
admitted as a Senator. In 1794 a Territorial Government was organized 
under provisions like those of the Ordinance of 1787, except that slavery 
should not be abolished. The State was admitted into the Union, June i, 
1796. Knoxville was the capital until 1802, when it was changed to Nash- 
ville. The vote of the State was cast for Democratic candidates until 1835. 
The legislature nominated Jackson for the Presidency in 1824 and the State 
supported him almost unanimously. In 1835 the Whigs elected Cannon 
Governor, and in 1836 cast the electoral votes for Hugh L. White, the 
candidate of the Southern States-Rights faction of the Whig party. The 
Whigs secured the electoral votes of the State at each election until 
1856, when Buchanan carried the State. In January, 1861, a popular vote 
defeated a proposal for the State to secede from the Union. June 8, i86r, 
the Secessionists carried the State. During the war the State furnished 
31,092 to the Union army. The State was the scene of some of the fiercest 
battles, as Island No. 10, Nashville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and 
Missionar\' Ridge. July 24, 1866, the State was restored to the Union. The 
present constitution was made in 1870. Since 1874, State politics have been 
shaped by the problem of the State debt. In 1880 this resulted in the elec- 
tion of a Republican Governor. The population of the State in 1796 was 
77,202; in 1890 this had increased to 1,767,518. History by Ramsey. 



648 Dictionary op United States History. 

Tennessee Bond Cases, seventeen causes decided by the Supreme Court 
of the United States in 1885, wherein it was held that the statutor\' lien 
upon railroads created by an act of the Tennessee L,egislature in 1852, was 
for the benefit of the State and not of the holders of State bonds issued 
under that act. 

Tennessee Historical Societies. One was founded at Nashville in 1847. 
Another was organized at Knoxville more recently. 

Tenure of Office Act. By the Constitution the Senate is associated with 
the President in the making of appointments to office. But it was con- 
cluded in 1789 that removals were entirely in the discretion of the Presi- 
dent. This remained the rule until 1867, when Congress, in the course of 
its quarrel with President Johnson, passed over his veto the Tenure of Office 
Act. This act provided that, with certain exceptions, every officer appointed 
with the concurrence of the Senate should retain his office until a successor 
should be in like manner appointed. During the recess of the Senate the 
President might, for specified causes, suspend an officer until the Senate 
could act. If the Senate approved, the officer might then be removed, other- 
wise not. Johnson's ignoring of the act in the case of Secretary Stanton, in 
1868, led to his impeachment. The act was repealed in 1887. 

Terra Mariae, the Latin equivalent of Marj'land. The charter of Mary- 
land, alone among the colonial charters, was written in Latin. 

Territories. Several states had extensive claims to Western lands. They 
were also claimed for the United States, as won by all in common, through 
the Revolutionary War. New York ceded her claims in 1781, Virginia in 
1784, Massachusetts in 1785, Connecticut in 1786 and in 1800, South Caro- 
lina in 1787, North Carolina in 1790, Georgia in 1802. Subsequent addi- 
tions of territory have been made by annexation (see art.) Preparatory to 
their admission as States, the separate regions of this domain have been 
organized as Territories, the first organized being the Northwest Territory, 
by the Ordinance of 1787. The Southwest Territory was organized in 1790. 
The history of each Territory can be found under its name or that of the State 
of the same name. At first the form of government of a Territory was modeled 
on that in the Ordinance for the Government of the Northwest Territory. 
Afterward two types were developed. In those of the second class, the Gov- 
ernor, Secretary, Judges and Legislative Council of thirteen were all ap- 
pointed by the President. In those of the first class, to which lately all 
organized Territories have belonged, there is a bicameral Legislature, the 
House of Representatives being elected by the people. Convening, the 
House nominates eighteen persons, from among whom the President chooses 
a Legislative Council of nine. A delegate represents each Territory in 
Congress, but without vote. 

Terry, Alfred Howe (1827-1890), an American general, was one of the 
most successful of the civilian officers in the War of the Rebellion. Before 
the struggle he had been a lawyer, paying some attention to militia matters. 
During tlie first year he commanded a regiment at the capture of Port Royal 
and Fort Pulaski. Being made a brigadier-general, he served in 1 862-1 863 
in the operations near Charleston. He commanded a corps in the Army of 



Dictionary of United States History. 649 

the James, and fought at Chester Station, Drewr>-'s Bluff and the siege of 
Petersburg. He was intrusted with the military part of the second attempt 
on Fort Fisher, January, 1865, co-operating with the admiral. The successful 
storming of the fort on January 14 made Terry a brigadier-general in the 
regular army. He captured Wilmington, and was a departmental com- 
mander after the war. General Terry became major-general in 1886, and 
retired in 1888. 

Texas, the largest State in the Union, popularly known as the " Lone 
Star State," formed originally a part of the Spanish possessions in America. 
The United States surrendered her claim that Texas was included in the 
Louisiana purchase, by the treaty of 1819-1821 with Spain, whereby the 
United States obtained possession of Florida and settled the eastern boundary 
of Texas. Meanwhile Mexico had declared her independence of Spain, and 
Texas with Coahuila formed a State of Mexico, and in 1827 adopted a State 
Constitution which forbade the importation of slaves and provided for the 
gradual abolition of slavery. Moses Austin, an American, obtained a large 
grant of land in Texas in 1820, and formed a settlement of Americans, 
which increased rapidly. A new State Constitution was formed in 1833 by 
a convention of the 20,000 settlers, but Mexico refused to recognize it. 
When Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, attempted to reduce the Mexi- 
can States to the condition of departments in 1835, Texas immediately 
seceded, March 2, 1836, and proclaimed her independence, which she main- 
tained by the defeat of Santa Anna at the head of 1500 troops by General 
Sam Houston with only 700 or 800 Americans, in the battle of San Jacinto, 
April 21, 1836. A constitution was adopted favoring slavery. Houston was 
elected President. The United States, England, France and Belgium recog- 
nized the new government as independent (1837). From this time until 
December 29, 1845, when Texas was finally annexed to the United States, 
the question of its annexation was the Gordian knot of American politics. 
Treaty negotiations failing, annexation was accomplished by joint resolution 
of both Houses of Congress. The dispute over the western boundary of 
Texas led to the Mexican War (q. v.). March 25, 1850, Texas ceded all 
claims to territory outside of her present limits to the United States for 
$10,000,000. February i, 1861, an ordinance of secession was passed. 
During the war there was a large influx of slaves from the other States. 
The State was restored to its place in the Union March 30, 1870. The 
State has been uniformly Democratic except for a brief period prior to 1873. 
The population of Texas in 1850 was 212,592; in 1890, 2,235,523. The 
present constitution was made in 1876. History by Yoakum. 

" Texas Gazette and Brazoria Advertiser," first newspaper of Texas. 
It was established at Brazoria in 1830. September 4, 1832, it was merged 
in the Constitutional Advocate and Texas Public Advertiser^ which was sus- 
pended in 1S33. 

Texas vs. White et al. This case was tried before the Supreme Court 
of the United States on the original bill in 1868. In 1851 the United States 
issued to the State of Texas 5000 coupon bonds for $1000 each, payable to 
State of Texas or bearer, in arrangement of certain boundary claims. Part 



650 Dictionary of United States History. 

of these bonds were seized during the Civil War by the revolutionary gov- 
ernment of Texas and sold to White &. Chiles and others of New York and 
other States, though said bonds were only payable if endorsed by a recog- 
nized Governor. In 1866 a bill was filed for an injunction to recover these 
bonds. This was granted on the ground that the action of a revolutionary 
government did not affect the right of Texas as a State of the Union, hav- 
ing a government acknowledging her obligations to the National Constitu- 
tion. The Court pronounced the Union an indestructible Union of inde- 
structible States and the act of secession void. 

Thames, Canada. At this river a final stand was made by General Procter 
and Tecumtha, when pursued by General Harrison in the War of 1812. The 
position chosen was poor and very favorable to the American advance. 
October 5, 1813, Harrison with 3000 men attacked and by a vigorous charge 
of cavalry under Colonel Johnson drove the British in great confusion from 
the field. Tecumtha was slain and General Procter himself barely escaped 
capture. This defeat ended his disgraceful career. The Americans lost 
forty-five and the British forty-eight, besides thirty-three Indians; 477 pris- 
oners were captured. The results of the battle were: The Indian North- 
western Confederacy was destroyed; the British power in Upper Canada was 
broken, and practically all that had been lost by General Hull at Detroit was 
regained. 

Thatcher, Henry K. (1806-1880), commanded the "Constellation" on 
the Mediterranean station from 1862 to 1863. In command of the "Colo- 
rado " he led the first division of Commodore Porter's fleet in both attacks 
on Fort Fisher. He succeeded Farragut in command of the Western Gulf 
squadron at Mobile, whose surrender he secured. He was promoted rear- 
admiral and retired in 1868. 

Thayer, Eli, born in 1819, of Worcester, Mass., founded the Emigrant Aid 
Company which settled Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan and Ossawatomie. 
These settlements in Kansas exerted a powerful influence for the anti-slavery 
cause. He represented IMassachusetts in the U. S. Congress as a Republican 
from 1S57 to 1861. He wrote "The Kansas Crusade." 

Thayer, John M., born in 1820, led a brigade at Donelson and Shiloh and 
commanded a division at Vicksburg and a column at Chickasaw. He rep- 
resented Nebraska in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1867 to 187 1, 
and was Governor of Nebraska from 1886 to 1891. 

Thayer, Sylvanus (1785-1872), was superintendent of the Military 
Academy at West Point from 181 7 to 1833. During his administration the 
academy became one of the best in the world. From 1833 to 1863 he fortified 
Boston Harbor. 

Theatre. The first theatre in the United States was opened at Williams- 
burg, Va., September 5, 1752. This was followed by others at Annapolis, 
Md., and at New York, in Nassau Street, in 1753. Theatres were opened at 
Albany in 1769, at Baltimore in 1773, at Charleston, S. C, in 1774, at New- 
bem, N. C, in 1788, and at Boston in 1792. 



Dictionary of United States History. 651 

Thomas, George Henry (July 31, 1816-March 28, 1870), a distinguished 
American general, was born in Virginia, and graduated at West Point in 
1840. He fought against the Seniinoles, and in the Mexican War was dis- 
tinguished at Monterey and Buena Vista. In the summer of 1861 he had 
charge of a brigade in Virginia, and later in the year was promoted to the 
command of a division in the Western army. At Mill Spring, in Kentucky, 
January 19, 1862, General Thomas gained the first marked Union success in 
the war. He led the right wing at Perryville, and the centre at Murfrees- 
boro'. At the battle of Chickamauga, September 19-20, i860, Thomas' 
ability prevented a serious disaster, and earned for him the title of the 
" Rock of Chickamauga." He fortified Chattanooga, received command of 
the Army of the Cumberland, and was made brigadier-general in the regular 
army. In command of his army he had a prominent share in the battle of 
Missionary Ridge and in the hard fighting of Sherman's campaign in 1864. 
In September, 1864, he was detached from Sherman's army, and was ordered 
to oppose General Hood. This service culminated in his decisive victory of 
Nashville, December 15, 16, 1864. General Thomas received the thanks 
of Congress, and was promoted to be major-general in the regular anny. 
After the war he was a departmental commander. Life by Van Home. 

Thomas, Isaiah (1749-1831), edited the Massachusetts Spy from 1771 to 
1801. He earnestly supported the Revolutionary movement by his paper. 
From 1775 to 1801 he published the celebrated New England Almanac. He 
founded the American Antiquarian Society, to which he gave valuable books, 
files of newspapers and estates. He wrote "A History of Printing in 
America." 

Thomas, Jane (eighteenth century), was the wife of John Thomas, colonel 
of the Spartan regiment of South Carolina. She distinguished herself by 
aiding in repelling an attack upon her house by the Tories. 

Thomas, Jesse B. (1777-1850), was territorial delegate to Congress from 
Indiana from 1808 to 1809. He represented Illinois in the U. S. Senate as a 
Democrat from 1818 to 1829. He introduced the Missouri Compromise in 
1820. 

Thomas, John (1725-1776), of Massachusetts, commanded a regiment 
under General Amherst at Crown Point in 1760, and aided in the capture 
of Montreal. He was appointed a brigadier-general by the Provincial Con- 
gress in 1775. He had charge of the fortification of Dorchester Heights, 
which led to the evacuation of Boston by the British. In 1776 he was 
given command in Canada, but died of small-pox. 

Thomas, Lorenzo (1804-1875), was chief of staff of General Butler dur- 
ing the Mexican War. He was adjutant-general of the army from 1861 to 
1863. He organized colored troops from 1863 to 1865. In 1868 President 
Johnson, in the course of his quarrel with Secretary Stanton, appointed 
Thomas Secretary of War. This led directly to the impeachment of 
Johnson. 

Thomas, Philip F. (1810-1890), represented Maryland in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1839 to 1841. He was Governor of Maryland 



652 Dictionary of United States History. 

from 1848 to 1 85 1, and Comptroller of the State Treasury from 1851 to 
1853. He was Secretary of the Treasury in Buchanan's Cabinet from 
December, i860, to January, 1861. He was refused a seat in the Senate in 
1868, as having given aid and comfort to the Rebellion. He was a U. S. 
Congressman from 1875 to 1877. 

Thomas, Theodore, born in 1835, came to America from Germany in 
1845. He has been influential in introducing a higher class of music in 
America. He has been leader of the Philharmonic Society, and for a time 
director of music at the World's Fair. 

Thompson, George, the abolitionist (born in Liverpool, England, in 
1804, died in Leeds, England, in 1878), was active in the anti-slavery agita- 
tions respecting the British colonies, and came to this country in 1834 at the 
request of William Lloyd Garrison and others, to speak in behalf of abolition. 
He spoke in different parts of the country and his efforts led to the forma- 
tion of 150 anti-slavery societies. He was finally threatened by mobs in Bos- 
ton and fled to England in 1835. He aided greatly in preventing the 
recognition of the Southern Confederacy by the British Government. 

Thompson, Jacob (1810-1885), represented Mississippi in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1839 to 1851. He was Secretary of the Interior 
in Buchanan's Cabinet from 1857 to 1861, and used that position to aid 
schemes of secession. He was Governor of Mississippi from 1862 to 1864. 
In 1864 he was sent as a Confederate commissioner to Canada, where he 
promoted the scheme to release the prisoners at Camp Douglas, Chicago, and 
burn the city. 

Thompson, John R. (1823-1873), of Virginia, was editor of the Southern 
Literary Messenger irova. 1847 to 1859. He e.xerted a great influence upon 
Southern literary tastes. He wrote "The Burial of Latane," "The Death 
of Stuart," and other poems popular in the South. 

Thompson, Richard W., born in 1809, served in the Indiana Legislature 
from 1834 to 183S, and represented Indiana in the U. S. Congress as a Whig 
from 1841 to 1843, and from 1847 to 1849. He was a Circuit Judge in 
Indiana from 1S67 to 1869. He was Secretary of the Navy in Hayes' Cabi- 
net from 1877 to 1881. 

Thompson, Smith (i 768-1 843), was a Judge of the New York Supreme 
Court from 1802 to 1S18. He was Secretary of the Navy in Monroe's Cabi- 
net from 1818 to 1823, and a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 1823 
to 1843. 

Thomson, Charles (1729-1824), came to America from Ireland in 1740. 
His influence during the Revolution was such that he was called " the Sam 
Adams of Philadelphia, the life of the cause of liberty." He was Secretary 
of the Continental Congress during its entire history, from 1774 to 1789. He 
made careful records of the proceedings and took valuable notes. 

Thoreau, Henry D. (1817-1862), of Massachusetts, was a poet and author/ 
of idealistic aspirations, a fine scholar, a transcendentalist and a lover of 
nature. He wrote " Walden, or Life in the Woods," "The Maine Woods" 
" A Yankee in Canada," etc. 



Dictionary of United States History. 653 

Thorfinn, died after 1016. He went to Greenland from Norway in 1006. 
According to the Sagas, in 1007 he sailed for Vinland with three ships and 
160 persons, sighted Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, sailed along the New 
England coast and landed upon some island, where they spent the winter. 
The next three years were spent in a bay wliich some have identified with 
Mount Hope Bay, where they traded with the Esquimaux. They returned 
in ion. 

. Thornton, Sir Edward, born in 18 17, was Minister from England to the 
United States from 1867 to 1881. He was a member of the commission on 
the Alabama claims in 1871, and an arbitrator of the American and Mexican 
Claims Commission in 1873. 

Thornton, Matthews (1714-1S03), came to America from Ireland about 
1717. He was Judge of the New Hampshire Supreme Court from 1776 to 
1782. He represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress from 
1776 to 1778 and signed the Declaration of Independence. 

Thorvald Ericsson, died in 1004. He is said to have came to America 
(Rhode Island?) from Iceland with thirty men in 1002, in 1003 to have 
explored the southern coast of New England and in 1004 the northern coast. 

Three-Cent Piece, a silver coin issued in 1851, having been authorized 
the same year. Its weight in grains was 12.375. In 1853 its weight was 
changed to 11.52. The coinage was discontinued by an Act of Congress of 
1873. This coin was a legal tender to the amount of thirty cents. Nickel 
three-cent pieces began to be coined in 1865. 

Three-Dollar Piece, a gold coin, authorized in 1853; coinage begun 1854. 
This coin has always been a legal tender to an unlimited amount. 

Throckmorton, James 'W., born in 1825, was a member of the Texas 
lyCgislature from 1851 to 1861, and Governor of Texas from 1866 to 1867. 
He was a Democratic U. S. Congressman from 1875 to 1879 and from 1883 
to 1887. Died 1894. 

Throop, Enos T. (1784-1874), represented New York in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1815 to 1816. He was Governor of New York 
from 1829 to 1832, Minister to Naples from 1838 to 1842. 

Thurman, Allen Granbery, born in 1813, an American statesman, is an 
eminent lawyer, settled in Columbus, Ohio. He is a life-long Democrat; 
from 1845 to 1847 he was Congressman from Ohio; he was Justice of the State 
Supreme Court 1851-1854, and its Chief Justice 1854-1856. In 1867 he was 
defeated for Governor by General Hayes. From 1869 to 1881 he was a U. S. 
Senator. While his party was in the minority Senator Thurman was its 
leader, and afterward he had the chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee. 
He was at one time president pi-n tcm. of the Senate. He was the sponsor 
for the Thurman Act, which compelled the Pacific railroads to fulfil their 
obligations to the Government. President Garfield appointed him a dele- 
gate to the Paris Monetary Convention of 1881. Thurman received votes in 
the Democratic National Conventions of 1876, 1880 and 1884. In 1888 he 
was nominated by acclamation for second place on the ticket with Cleve- 
land, but was defeated in the election. Died 1895. 



654 Dictionary of United States History. 

Thwaites, Reuben G., born in 1S53, was an editor of the Wisconsin State 
Journal from 1877 to 1886. He has given much attention to Western his- 
tory. He wrote " Historic Waterways," and a small history of the colo- 
nies. 

Ticknor, George (1791-1871), of Massachusetts, was admitted to the bar 
in 1813. From i8i5to iSighewas in Europe engaged in philological study 
and collecting a library which was unsurpassed in Spanish literature. He 
was professor of modern languages and literature at Harvard from 181 9 to 
1835. He wrote a " History of Spanish lyiterature," which is recognized 
as a masterly work. His letters have been published. 

Ticonderoga. During the French and Indian War, in June, 1758, a 
British and Provincial force of 15,000 men advanced upon Ticonderoga, 
then occupied by the French. Montcalm had only 3600. After some inde- 
cision he retired to the site of the fort and threw up earthworks. During 
their advance the English lost Howe, and the command fell to the incompe- 
tent Abercromby. Without support of artillery he attempted to carry the 
fort by a bayonet charge. He was disastrously repulsed with a loss of 1944 
to 277 on the side of the French. He retreated precipitately. On July 22, 
1759, General Amherst appeared before Ticonderoga. He met little opposi- 
tion and placed his artillery in position. On the night of the 23d, Bourla- 
maque retired from the fort with the best troops. The garrison kept up a 
brisk fire until the night of the 26th, when they abandoned the place and 
fired a train to the magazine. The fort was blown up and the place fell 
into English hands. — In the Revolutionary War also the strategic importance 
of Ticonderoga was recognized. A force under Ethan Allen arrived on the 
shore of Lake Champlain in the early morning of May 10, 1775. There 
were not enough boats to carry over all his forces, and so with only eighty- 
three men he descended upon the little garrison, who surrendered without a 
blow. Thus the colonists gained the key to the route to and from Canada, 
and captured a number of cannon and a considerable quantity of powder 
and ball, which they much needed. On July i, 1777, Burgoyne in his 
march south appeared before Ticonderoga. The British seized a position 
which commands the fort and compelled the garrison, 3000 in number, to 
evacuate. These retired into the Green Mountains, the women and wounded 
to Fort Edward (July 5, 1777). 

" Tidal ^A^ave," the term applied to the unprecedented success of the 
Democratic party in elections. State and Congressional, from 1872 to 1S76. 
This was due to the corruption of the Republican administration. The 
tidal wave resulted in the contested election of 1876-77. 

Tiffin, Edward (1766-1829), came to America from England in 1784. 
He was Governor of Ohio from 1803 to 1807, and represented Ohio in the 
U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 1807 to 1809. 

Tilden, Samuel Jones (February 9, 1814-August 4, 1886), an American 
statesman, was educated at Yale and the University of New York. He 
acquired a high position at the New York bar, became famous as a counsel 
for corporations, and amassed wealth. Though interested in New York 



Dictionary of Umtf.d States History. 655 

politics and very influential in the counsels of the Democratic party, 
Mr. Tilden held no office for many years, except in 1845 in the Assem- 
bly, and the next year in the State Constitutional Convention. By about 
the close of the war he had become the recognized leader of the New 
York Democracy. He was one of the most expert party managers of modern 
times. In strenuously opposing the Tweed ring in 1871 and the following 
years, as well as in antagonizing other abuses, Tilden acquired such prestige 
that in 1874 as candidate for Governor he was elected over Dix by 50,000 
majority. He served from 1875 to 1877. His success caused his nomination 
for President by the National Convention in 1876. In the remarkable elec- 
tion Tilden had a substantial popular majority, but the result of the electoral 
vote was in doubt. (See Electoral Commission.) The extra-constitutional 
Electoral Commission admitted 184 votes for Tilden and 185 for Haves. 
Governor Tilden, the "sage of Gramercy Park," continued to be regarded as 
the party adviser, the " great defrauded." He wrote letters declining in ad- 
vance the nomination in 1880 and 1884. By the provisions of his will a 
large sum was left for a free public library in New York. 

Tilghman, Matthew (1718-1790), was a member of the Maryland General 
Assembly from 1751 to 1774. He was a delegate to the Continental Con- 
gress from 1774 to 1777. He was president of the Revolutionary Conven- 
tion which directed the State Government from 1774 to 1777. To him was 
largely due the drafting and organizing of the government of INIaryland. 

Timber Culture. March 3, 1873, Congress passed the Timber Culture 
Act, granting to settlers 160 acres of treeless lands for the encouragement of 
tree culture. An act of June 3, 1878, authorized the sale at $2.50 per acre 
of forest lands on the Pacific Coast, and at the same time prohibited timber 
depredations on the public lands. 

Timrod, Henry (1829-1867), of South Carolina, became popular in the 
South for his war lyrics written during the Civil War. He was a poet of 
genius and delicate imagination. 

Tingey, Thomas (i 750-1 829), came to America from England and served 
in the Continental navy during the Revolution. He commanded the Wash- 
ington Navy Yard from 1804 to 1829. 

Tippecanoe, a nickname of President William Henry Harrison, originating 
in his victory over the Indians on the Tippecanoe River, in Indiana, in 1811. 

Tithables, in Virginia, all persons liable to poll-tax, to wit, all males and 
all female slaves of more than sixteen years. 

Tithingman, a sort of Sunday constable, who preserved order in meeting 
and discharged various police functions of a similar nature. The office was 
peculiarly a New England institution, though rare instances of tithingmen 
were to be found in Maryland and elsewhere. In towns where tliere were 
Indian inhabitants, it was the duty of the tithingman to preserve order 
among them. 

Tobacco, introduced to the knowledge of civilized nations on the discovery 
of America, where it was found in use by the Indians on the islands and on 



656 Dictionary of United States History. 

the mainland as far north as Virginia. It was cultivated in Portugal and 
France early in the sixteenth century. Its cultivation was begun by the 
earliest settlers in Virginia and Maryland, to whom it was frequently the 
sole, yet lucrative, source of income. It was used as a legal tender in Mary- 
land in 1733, during a period of depreciation in the colonial currency, and 
was widely used as a medium of barter and exchange and payment of debt. 
Virginia led in the production of tobacco during many years, her annual 
production frequently reaching 20,000,000 pounds. Kentucky now leads. 
Tobacco is at present widely cultivated in the Southern, Middle, Western 
and even the New England States, that of the Connecticut valley being 
deemed especially adapted for cigar wrappings. In 18S9 there was a total 
production of 565,795,000 pounds in the United States, valued at $43,666,- 
665. During the years 1 865-1 892 the total internal revenue receipts from 
tobacco amounted to $896,512,367. 

Tocqueville, Alexis Charles Henri Clerel de (1805-1859), a French pub- 
licist and politician, visited the United States in 1831-1832 on a mission to 
examine the penitentiary system. He published in 1835-40 "Democracy in 
America," the most important commentary on American affairs by a foreigner 
until the appearance of " Bryce's American Commonwealth." De Tocque- 
ville was afterward member of the Chamber of Deputies and of the French 
Academy, and in 1849 ^^^ Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

Tod, David (1805-1868), was Minister to Brazil from 1847 ^^ 1852- He 
was a champion of the " peace policy " in 1861, but when Governor of Ohio 
from 1862 to 1864 was a firm supporter of the Government. 

Todd, Thomas (i 765-1 826), a prominent Kentucky jurist, was an Asso- 
ciate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 1807 to 1826. 

Tohopeka. (See Horse-shoe Bend.) 

" Toledo War," a boundary controversy between Ohio and Michigan, 
which came to a head in 1835, just previous to Michigan's application for 
admission to the Union. The controversy was over that territory which 
contained the city of Toledo, and its history may be traced back to the ordi- 
nance of 1787 respecting the division of the Northwest Territory. In 
1835 Ohio proposed to assume control of the disputed tract. Michigan 
responded by making such action liighly penal, and appealed to the Federal 
Government. An armed collision seemed imminent. Finally it was agreed 
that Michigan should be admitted to the Union and awarded certain terri- 
tory in the north, provided she would give up her clearly rightful claim to 
the Toledo country. 

Tom the Tinker, the popular watchword of the rebels of western Penn- 
sylvania during the Whisky Rebellion of 1794, originating in the destniction 
of the house of an obnoxious official by a mob, which gave out that it was 
being tinkered. 

Tompkins, Daniel D. (1774-1825), Vice-President of the United States, 
was graduated at Columbia, and became a leading lawyer and Democratic 
politician in the State of New York. He was a Judge in the Supreme Court 
of the State, and its Governor from 1807 until 1817. While holding this 



Dictionary of United States History. 657 

office he opposed the Bank and gave an efficient support to the War of 1812. 
Governor Tompkins was elected Vice-President in 1816 on the ticket with 
Monroe, and re-elected in 1820, serving from 1817 to 1825. 

Tonga, The United States concluded a treaty of amity, commerce and 
navigation with Tonga in 1886. 

Tonty, Chevalier Henri de (1650 ?-i704), accompanied La Salle to Canada 
in 1678 and explored with him the Mississippi. Later he twice descended 
to the mouth of the Mississippi in search of La Salle. 

Toombs, Robert (1810-1885), one of the most influential Secessionists, was 
graduated at Union College and rose to distinction as a lawyer in Georgia. 
He served in the Creek War, in the legislature, and as a State-Rights Whig 
in Congress from 1845 to 1853. While in Congress he favored and took part 
in the compromise measures of 1850. He was U. S. Senator from Georgia 
1853— 1861. Senator Toombs was one of the most active champions of the 
slave power, and when the crisis occurred in i860 he was second to none in 
energy as a disunionist. He aided powerfully in forcing his State to secede. 
During the war he was at different times Congressman, Secretary of State, 
and a brigadier-general. Afterward he practised law, and refused persistently 
to take the oath of allegiance to the Government. In his last years he 
devoted himself to a contest with the railroad power. 

Topeka, Kan., was founded in 1854, received a city charter in 1857 and 
became the State capital in 1861. 

Topeka Constitution. On October 23, 1855, a constitutional convention, 
representing the anti-slavery population of Kansas, met at Topeka. This 
convention adopted the boundaries set by the Kansas-Nebraska bill, pro- 
hibited slaveiy- after July, 1857, and conferred the right of suffrage on " white 
male citizens " and on " every civilized male Indian who has adopted the 
habits of the white man." This free State convention was dispersed by Fed- 
eral troops. The bill to admit Kansas to the Union under the provisions of 
the Topeka constitution passed the House, but failed in the Senate. 

Torbert, Alfred T. A. (1833-1880), led a Federal brigade at Manassas, 
Crampton's Gap and Gettysburg in 1862. In 1864 he was placed in com- 
mand of a division of cavalr}' in the Army of the Potomac. He fought at 
Cold Harbor, Trevilliaii Station, Winchester and Cedar Creek. He com- 
manded at Tom's River, Liberty Mills and Gordonsville. He was Consul 
General at Paris from 1S73 to 1878. 

Tories. (See Loyalists.) The name Tory had been employed in Eng- 
land from 1679 to designate those who were desirous to increase the power 
of the king. The term had become odious by reason of the Jacobite con- 
spiracies, and was revived in America as a term of reproach. 

Totten, Joseph G. (1788-1864), was chief engineer of the army on the 
Canadian frontier during the war of 1812. During the Civil War he had 
charge of the engineering bureau at Washington. 

Toucey, Isaac (1796-1869), represented Connecticut in the L^. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1835 to 1839. He was chosen Governor of Connecticut 

42 



658 Dictionary of United States History. 

by the Legislature in 1846. He was Attorney-General in Polk's Cabinet 
from 1848 to 1849, and a U. S. Senator from 1852 to 1857. He was Secre- 
tar}' of the Navy in Buchanan's Cabinet from 1857 to 1861, and was charged 
■with favoring the seceding States by dispersing the navy. 

Tourgee, Albion W., bom in 1838, served in the national army during 
the Civil War. He prepared a report on the condition of the Southern 
States for the Loyalists' Convention in 1866. He published " The North 
Carolina Code," and " A Fool's Errand," and other books on the Reconstruc- 
tion period. 

Toussaint Louverture, leader of the revolted negroes of Hayti and Presi- 
dent of the Haytian Republic, is connected with the history of the United 
States through Bonaparte's San Domingo expedition. The First Consul 
intended, after conquering the island, to make it the basis of an expedition 
which should create in Louisiana a French colonial empire. Toussaint's 
resistance and the destruction of French troops by yellow fever balked this 
plan, and Napoleon sold Louisiana to the United States. 

Towle, George M. (1841-1893), was U. S. Consul at Nantes, France, 
from 1866 to 1868, and at Bradford, England, from 1868 to 1870. He wrote 
"Glimpses of History," "Heroes of History," and other popular historical 
books. 

Town. In New England the word town has constantly been used in the 
sense of township, meaning the primary subdivision of the county, a large 
area, niral or urban. In the Middle colonies and the South it meant, as in 
England, an incorporated municipality of greater or less size. Thus in 
Massachusetts nearly all the territory of the colony was occupied with towns, 
while in the South there were a few towns here and there. As to the origin 
of the New England town various theories have been held. To some it has 
seemed an original creation of the early settlers, to others an imitation of the 
English parish. 

Town-Meeting, the meeting of all freemen of a town in primary assembly 
for the discussion of local affairs and the election of local officers. This has 
been one of the most characteristic of New England institutions, and one 
of the most valuable, because of the education it has afforded in politics. 
Jefferson on this account wished that something similar might be introduced 
into Virginia. In the type of local government which has been instituted in 
the northernmost row of Western States, the township usually has a town- 
meeting. In the row of States west of the Middle States, this is not 
usual. 

Townsend, Edward D., born in 1817, was the principal executive officer 
of the War Department, under Secretary Stanton, during the Civil War. 
He wrote " Anecdotes of the Civil War in the United States." 

Townsend, George A., born in 1841, reported the Peninsular campaign 
for the New York Herald in 1862. He was war correspondent for the World 
in 1864 and 1865. He wrote " The Real Life of Abraham Lincoln " and 
various tales of Maryland life. 



Dictionary of United States History. 659 

Townshend, Charles (1725-1767), English statesman, was made Com- 
missioner of Trade and Plantations in 1749, and made a careful study of the 
American colonies. In 1763 he was made First Lord of Trade and Planta- 
tions. He ardently supported Grenville's Stamp Act in 1765 and was in 
favor of imposing upon the colonies heavy burdens. He advocated the 
annulling of the colonial charters and the establishment of a uniform system 
of Government. In 1766 he became Chancellor of the Exchequer. He 
secured the passage of an act in 1767 which levied burdensome duties on 
such articles as tea, paper and glass. He was a man of ready wit and bril- 
liant orator^-, but unwise. 

Townshend Acts, two acts proposed in Parliament, April 16, 1767, at the 
instance of Charles Townshend, then Chancellor of the Exchequer. They 
were to go into effect November 20. They provided for the appointment of 
commissioners to enforce more effectually the laws of trade with the colonies; 
granted duties on glass, paper, colors and tea, and legalized writs of assist- 
ance. The revenue was to defray the charge of the administration of justice 
and support the civil government in the provinces. The people of Massa- 
chusetts opposed them by renewing their non-importation agreements. 

Tracy, Benjamin F., lawyer, born in 1830, was elected a district attorney 
in New York in 1854 and 1856. He led a regiment at the battles of the 
Wilderness and Spottsylvania, and had charge of the prison camp at 
Elmira. He was a U. S. District Attorney from 1866 to 1873, and was 
Secretary of the Navy in Harrison's Cabinet from 1889 to 1893. 

Trade Dollar, a silver coin issued in 1873— 1874 ^^'^ ^^^ "^ China, in com- 
petition with Spanish and Mexican dollars. It was not intended for circula- 
tion in the United States, though it was made a legal tender to the amount 
of five dollars at the time of its issue; this provision was repealed in 1876. 
Its actual value was less than that of the standard dollar. 

Trades' Unions. These associations of workingmen, for concerted action 
upon questions of wages, hours of labor and for mutual relief, were begun 
in this country in 1852 by the formation of the International Typographical 
Union, followed in 1859 t>y the Machinists' and Blacksmiths' International 
Union, and the Iron Moulders' Union of North America. The Brotherhood 
of Locomotive Engineers was organized in 1863, the Journeymen Tailors" 
National Trades Union in 1865, the Coopers' International Union in 1870, 
the Cigarmakers' International Union about the same time, the Miners' 
National Union in 1873. There are beside numerous other lesser and local 
associations. 

Transcendentalism. This movement derived its name from the German 
philosophy of Schelling, and signified the philosophy of those who deemed 
the objective realities of the world to be best studied by interrogating the 
subjective consciousness. The school of the transcendentalists prevailed in 
New England, especially at Concord, Mass., in and after 1830. Emerson 
was its leader, but many of his followers were unpractical and visionary 
men, whose philosophy was of little value to the actual world. The move- 
ment exercised great influence on Unitarian religion, on various reforms and 
especially on the anti-slavery cause. 



66o Dictionary of United States History. 

Transylvania Company, a colonization company, organized in North Caro- 
lina in 1775. Its grants were obtained directly from the crown, no colonial 
government being permitted to issue land warrants. 

Travis, William B. (1811-1836), while fighting for the independence of 
Texas was besieged at Fort Alamo by the Mexicans in 1836. After des- 
perate fighting, when only six men were left, they surrendered on promise 
of protection, but were slaughtered by command of Santa Anna. 

Treason against the United States is defined in the Constitution as consist- 
ing " only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving 
them aid and comfort." A motion to give Congress the sole power of defin- 
ing the punishment of treason was lost in the convention of 1787. Most of 
the States have inserted in their constitutions a provision regarding treason 
similar to that of the National Constitution. There has been practically no 
instance of an indictment for treason against a State except that of Dorr in 
Rhode Island. At the end of the Civil War there were no prosecutions for 
treason, because the idea of State allegiance had in many States so long 
predominated over that of national allegiance. April 30, 1790, an act was 
passed making treason punishable by death. Burr's case was the principal 
one under this act. July 17, 1862, an act of Congress provided that treason 
should also be punishable by the liberation of the guilty person's slaves. 

Treasury Board, established by the Continental Congress February 17, 
1776, to consist of a standing committee of five Congressmen who should 
have control over minor officials and act as a Ways and Means Committee. 
The Committee of Claims and the Treasury Office of Accounts were the 
principal bureaus under the Board's supervision. September 26, 1778, an 
Act of Congress provided for securing a house for the various offices of the 
department, thus forming the germ of the present treasur}' system. Provision 
was also made for the annual appointment of a comptroller, auditor and 
treasurer, thus doing away with the Treasury Office of Accounts. The 
Treasury Board ceased to exist in September, 1781, when a Superintendent 
of Finance was instituted. After Robert Morris resigned this office, from 
1785 to 1789 the Treasury was again under a board of commissioners. 

Treasury Department. Under the Continental Congress financial matters 
were at first managed by a committee. The Treasury Office of Accounts 
was created in 1776. In 1778 the department was given an organization 
much like that of the present time. In 1781 the office of Superintendent 
of Finance was created, and the department put under a single head. In 
1785 the Board was restored. The First Congress, by Act of September 2, 
1789, established the present Treasury Department. 

Treasury Notes. Treasury notes, receivable for all dues to the Govern- 
ment, but not made a legal tender, were first issued to meet the expenses of 
the War of 1812. In 1812 issues of five millions were authorized, in 1813 
of five millions more, in 1814 of eighteen millions, in 1815 of eight millions 
more. The rate of interest was 5 2-5 per cent. The financial panic of 1837 
caused further issues of sixteen millions in 1837 and 1838, $4,000,000 in 
1839, $6,000,000 in 1840, $8,000,000 in 1841, $11,000,000 in 1842, and 



Dictionary of United States History. 66r 

$2,000,000 in 1844. The Mexican War caused issues of $26,000,000, under 
Act of 1846. The panic of 1857 was met by issues to the amount of $53,- 
000,000. These notes usually had but a short time to run. The Civil War 
required the issue of enormous quantities of treasury notes. Those which 
bore a legal tender character are treated of under Greenbacks. The Govern- 
ment also met temporary exigencies by the issue of demand notes and frac- 
tional and postal currency. The chief variety of notes resembling the 
treasury notes hitherto issued, receivable for dues to Government, but not 
legal tenders, was the 7.30's, of which $830,000,000 were issued. These 
were nearly all paid by the end of 1869. The Sherman Act of 1890 pro- 
vided for the issue of treasury' notes wherewith to make the monthly pur- 
chases of silver bullion required by that Act. 

Treasury Office of Accounts, an ofl&ce created in April, 1776, by the Con- 
tinental Congress. It was under the supervision of the standing committee 
of the treasury, and was under the immediate direction of an auditor-general, 
assisted by clerks, whose business it was to audit accounts and report to Con- 
gress through the Treasury Board. 

Treat, Robert (1622-1701), came to Connecticut from England early in 
the seventeenth century. He was a deputy from 1653 to 1659, and an assist- 
ant from 1659 to 1664. He opposed the union of New Haven and Connec- 
ticut. He commanded the Connecticut forces in King Philip's War. He 
was Deputy-Governor of Connecticut from 1676 to 1683, and Governor from 
1683 to 1698, except two years under Sir Edmund Andros from 1687 to 
1689. He was again Deputy-Governor from 1698 to 1708. 

Treaties. The first treaty negotiated by the United States was the treaty 
of alliance with France, February, 1778. Other treaties negotiated under 
the Continental Congress were with the Netherlands (1782), with Great Brit- 
ain, treaty of peace, (1783), with Sweden (1783), with Prussia (1785), and 
with Morocco (1787). The Constitution of 1787 gave the President the 
power of making treaties, with the consent of two-thirds of the Senate. In 
1795, in the matter of the Jay Treaty, the House attempted to claim for 
itself a control over the treaty-making power, through the power of making- 
appropriations. An account of individual treaties may be found under the 
name by which each is familiarly known, or the country with which it was- 
concluded. 

Trenchard, Stephen D. (1818-1883), commanded the "Rhode Island" 
during the Civil War and was active in both attacks on Fort Fisher. He 
was promoted rear-admiral and commanded the North Atlantic Squadron 
from 1876 to 1878. 

Trent Affair. In 1861 the Confederate Government sent John Slidell and 
J. M. Mason as commissioners to France and Great Britain respectively. 
They ran the blockade to Havana and embarked thence in the British mer- 
chant ship "Trent." November 8 the "Trent "was stopped in the old 
Bahama channel by Captain Wilkes of the United States ship " San Jacinto." 
Mason and Slidell were seized and taken to Boston as prisoners. Wilkes' 
action was generally approved in the North; yet it involved a breach of 



'562 Dictionary of United States History. 

international law, and Mason and Slidell %vere surrendered to Great Britain 
because its neutral rights had been transgressed, and to prevent the war which 
that country threatened. 

Trenton, N. J., was first settled in 1680 and receiv^ed its name in 1720 in 
honor of Colonel William Trent. It was chosen as the capital of the State 
in 1790 and became a city two years later. 

Trenton, Battle of, December 26, 1776. After retreating across the 
Delaware, Washington received reinforcements and determined to strike a 
blow upon the British centre at Trenton. Neither his right wing nor centre 
was able to cross the river. However, with only 2500 men he crossed the 
stream filled with floating ice, marched nine miles in a blinding snowstorm 
and took Trenton by surprise. The commander. Rail, and seventeen of his 
men were slain. One thousand Hessians were taken prisoners. Only four 
Americans perished, two killed in action, and two frozen to death. 

Trescot, 'William H., born in 1S22, was Secretary of Legation to Eng- 
land from 1852 to 1853. He was assistant U. S. Secretary of State from 
1857 to i860. He served in the South Carolina Legislature from 1862 to 
1868. He was U. S. counsel before the Fisheries Commission at Halifax in 
1877. He was a Plenipotentiary to revise the treaties with China in 1880, 
and Special Envoy to the South American belligerents in 1881. He has 
written several books on diplomatic history. 

Trevett vs. W^eeden, among the earliest instances of a court's assinn- 
ing authority to pronounce upon the constitutionality of an act of the 
legislature. By an Act of the Rhode Island Legislature of 1786, paper 
money issued by the State was made a legal tender. Weeden refused to 
receive this currency in payment of a debt. The Superior Court of the 
State summarily dismissed the case as not within the jurisdiction of tlic court. 
Though the record is imperfect, it is deemed virtually certain that tlie court 
pronounced the act of the legislature unconstitutional and void. 

Trevillian Station, Va. Here during Grant's campaign against Rich- 
mond, Sheridan, while raiding along the Virginia Central Railroad, met and 
defeated a strong force of Confederate cavalry under Wade Hampton. Sheri- 
dan captured 500 prisoners, June 11 and 12, 1864. 

Triangle, a reach of land toward Lake Erie purchased by Pennsylvania 
from the Government, September 4, 1788. It formerly was part of New York. 

Trianon Decree, a secret decree issued at the palace of the Trianon, 
France, August 5, 1810, by Napoleon, ordering the immediate confiscation 
of all American vessels and merchandise brought in previous to May i, 1810, 
and ordering that, until November i, American vessels were to be allowed to 
enter French ports, but not to unload without his permission. At the same 
time he offered to revoke the Milan and Berlin decrees, November i. This 
was a ruse to entrap American vessels, and it succeeded admirably. 

Trimble, Isaac R. (1802-1888), commanded a Confederate brigade at 
Gaines' Mills and Slaughter Mountain, and captured Manassas Junction in 
1862. He led a division at Chancellorsville and Gettvsburg. 



Dictionary of United States History. 663 

Trimble, Robert (1777-1828), was appointed Chief Justice of Kentucky 
in 1810. He became U. S. District Attorney in 1813, and was District Judge 
of Kentucky from 1816 to 1826. He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme 
Court from 1826 to 1828. 

Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., founded by Episcopalians, was chartered 
in 1823. Till 1845 its name was Washington College. Besides the usual 
college course it had a theological department till 1851, when this was 
merged into the Berkeley School at Middletown. 

Tripoli. After several ineffectual attempts to come to an understanding 
with Tripoli the United States concluded a treaty of peace and friendship 
November 4, 1796. A threat by the Bashaw of further depredations led to 
a chastisement of Tripoli by the U. S. navy, which resulted in a peace 
without purchase and favorable commercial privileges by the treaty of June 
4, 1805. (See next article.) 

Tripolitan War. During the latter part of the eighteenth century the 
United States had followed the method employed by many European nations 
of protecting our commerce from the depredations of the Barbary States by 
the annual payment of tribute money. In 1801 the demands of the Bashaw 
of Tripoli being unusually exorbitant, President Jefferson determined to 
abolish this practice. Commodore Dale was despatched with a squadron to 
make demonstrations along the coast of Tripoli. He captured a large cruiser 
and for a time overawed the Bashaw. In 1803 Preble was sent to take 
command, Congress having recognized war with Tripoli. Several captures 
were made. Captain Bainbridge, of the " Philadelphia," however, ran his 
vessel on a rock, and she was taken by the Tripolitans with all on board. 
Decatur in the " Intrepid " ran up the harbor of Tripoli at night and burned 
the " Philadelphia " under the fire of the batteries on the shore. Tripoli 
was invested and bombarded during the summer. Finally June 4, 1805, a 
treaty of peace and friendship was concluded with the Bashaw, the United 
States agreeing to pay $60,000 for the ransom of the officers and crew of the 
" Philadelphia." (See Derne Expedition.) 

TroUope, Frances M. (1780— 1863), visited America from England from 
1829 to 1831. She published " Domestic Manners of the Americans," " The 
Refugee in America," and " Adventures of Jonathan Jefferson Whitlaw," 
which depicted rude and ludicrous phases of American life in a manner 
much disliked at the time. 

Trumbull, Benjamin (1735-1820), was pastor at New Haven from 1760 
to 1820. He wrote a "General History of the United States," and an excel- 
lent "History of Connecticut from 1630 to 1713." 

Trumbull, James Hammond, born in 1821, was Secretary of State for 
Connecticut from 1861 to 1865. He is one of the leading American philolo- 
gists in respect to Indian languages. He has published the earlier volumes 
of the " Colonial Records of Connecticut " and " The Blue Laws of Connec- 
ticut." 

Trumbull, John (i 750-1831), passed the entrance examination at Yale 
College in 1757. He published in 1772 "The Progress of Dullness," a 



664 Dictionary of United States History. 

satire on the prevailing mode of education. In 1773 appeared his "Elegy 
on the Times," a poem on the Boston Port Bill and other colonial topics. 
In 1774 he published the first two cantos of " McFingal," in which he 
described the American character and customs and satirized their extrava- 
gances. The popularity of this poem was enormous. With Humphreys, 
Barlow and Hopkins he wrote " Anarchiad." He was Judge of the Connecti- 
cut Supreme Court from 1801 to 181 9. 

Trumbull, John (1756-1843), is noted for his historical paintings, such as 
"The Declaration of Independence," "The Battle of Bunker Hill," and 
" Death of Montgomery." He painted portraits of Washington and Jef- 
ferson. 

Trumbull, Jonathan (1710-1785), was Chief Justice of the Connecticut 
Supreme Court from 1766 to 1769, and Governor of Connecticut from 1769 
to 17S3. He was the only one of the colonial Governors who espoused the 
people's cause. He aided the colonists with all his power, and was one of 
the principal advisers of Washington. (See "Jonathan, Brother.") 

Trumbull, Jonathan (i 740-1 809), represented Connecticut in the U. S. 
Congress as a Federalist from 1789 to 1795, and in the U. S. Senate from 
1795 to 1796. He was Governor of Connecticut from 1798 to 1809. 

Trumbull, Lyman, bom in 1813, was admitted to the bar in 1837. He 
was Secretary of State for Illinois from 1841 to 1842, and a Justice of the 
Illinois Supreme Court from 1848 to 1853. He represented Illinois in the 
U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 1855 to 1861 and as a Republican from 
1861 to 1873. Died 1896. 

Truxtun, Thomas (i 755-1 822), was made liei:tenant of the privateer 
" Congress " in 1776. In 1777 he commanded the " Independence" and cap- 
tured three large ships. In 1781 he commanded the "St. James," with 
which he disabled a superior British vessel. In 1798 he was placed in com- 
mand of the " Constellation," and commanded a squadron to protect Ameri- 
can commerce in the West Indies. In 1799 he captured the French frigate 
" L'Insurgente " after a severe engagement, and in iSoo he gained a victory 
over the French frigate " La Vengeance." 

Tryon, \A^illiani (1725-1788), born in Ireland, w^as appointed Lieutenant- 
Governor of North Carolina in 1764. He was Governor from 1765 to 177 1. 
He suppressed the revolt of the " Regulators " with great cruelty. He 
became Governor of New York in 1771, and continiied in office until 1778. 
He was detested by the patriots for his inhumanity and the destruction of 
Danbury, Fairfield and Norwalk, Conn. 

Tucker, George (1775-1861), came to Virginia from Bermuda about 17S7. 
He represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1819 to 
1825. He wrote an excellent " Political History of the L^nited States," 
extending from 1789 to 1841. 

Tucker, John Randolph, born in 1823, was Attorney-General of Virginia 
from 1857 to 1865. He represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress as a 
Democrat from 1875 to 1887. He was an able orator. Died 1897. 



Dictionary of United States History. 665 

Tucker, Josiah (1711-1799), dean of Gloucester from 1758 to 1799, wrote 
numerous able works in politics and economics concerning the American 
Revolution. He strongly urged the recognition of the independence of the 
American colonies. 

Tucker, St. George (1752-1828), jurist, came to Virginia from Bermuda 
in 1 77 1. -He was a lieutenant-colonel at Yorktown, a member of the 
Annapolis Convention in 1786, and a U. S. District Judge from 1813 to 
1827. His edition of Blackstone contained important disquisitions on the 
Constitution from the point of view of the State-rights school. 

Tucker, Samuel (1747-1833), of Massachusetts, while commander of 
the " Franklin " and the "Hancock" in 1776, captured more than thirty 
vessels. From 1777 to 1780 he commanded the "Boston," and captured 
many prizes, including the sloop-of-war " Thorn." He commanded the 
"Thorn" from 17S0 to 1781, when he was captured by the British frigate 
" Hind." He was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature from 1814 
to 1818. 

TuUahoma. (See Murfreesboro.) 

Tunis. Tunis, like the rest of the Barbary powers, was early a source 
of annoyance to the American commerce of the Mediterranean. A treaty 
was purchased in 1797 by the payment of $107,000. This treaty was altered 
by the convention of February 24, 1824. 

Tunnel Hill, Ga., scene of sharp skirmishing, February 23 and 25, 1864, 
between Federal and Confederate troops of Grant's and J. E. Johnston's 
armies, and commanded respectively by Palmer, and Stewart and Anderson. 
The Confederates were on their way to reinforce Polk's army in Mississippi, 
and Grant sent Palmer to intercept them. There was no decisive victory for 
either side, for Palmer, hearing of Johnston's advance, fell back. 

Turgot, Anne Robert J. (i 727-1 781), the famous French statesman, was 
influential in obtaining the French treaty of alliance with the United States 
in 1778. He wrote " Reflexions sur la situation des Americains des Etats- 
Unis." 

Turkey. (See Ottoman Porte.) 

Turnbull, Robert J. (1775-1833), of South Carolina, was a leader of the 
nullification party and published " The Crisis " and " The Tribunal of 
Dernier Ressort " in its interests. 

Turner, Nat (i8oo?-i83i), a negro slave, was the instigator of the South- 
ampton insurrection in Virginia in 1831. He believed himself chosen by 
the Lord to free his people. At an appointed time he set out with his fol- 
lowers from house to house to kill all white persons. Fifty-five were killed 
before the insurgents were dispersed. After hiding for a time Turner was 
captured and hanged. 

Turner, Thomas (1808-1883), served in the navy during the Mexican 
War. He captured two Spanish ships purchased for the secessionist party 
in i860 at Vera Cruz. He commanded the " New Ironsides " with ability 
at Charleston in 1863. 



666 Dictionary of United States History. 

Tuscaroras, originally one of the Six Nations of Iroquois, migrated 
toward North Carolina. In 171 1 they attempted to massacre the whites, 
but were defeated in the battle of the Neuse January 28, 1712. Hostilities 
were resumed, but they were overthrown in 17 13 and 800 taken prisoners. 
The tribe then fled to New York, except a small part, who had remained 
friendly. These subsequently removed. The Tuscaroras early favored the 
English, but joined with the colonists during the Revolution. 

Tuttle, Herbert H., born in 1846, was engaged in journalism till 1880. 
In 1S81 he became professor of history, politics and international law at 
Cornell, and has published an important history of Prussia. Died 1894. 

Tweed, William M. (1823-187S), represented New York in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1853 to 1855. When appointed street com- 
missioner in 1863, he began the organization of the Tweed Ring (q. v.) His 
position as State Senator from 1867 to 1871, grand sachem of the Tammany 
society from 1869 to 1871, and commissioner of public works from 1863 to 
1871, gave him immense political influence, and every officer in the State 
became under his sway. He was indicted in 1871 and sentenced in 1873 '^o 
twelve years' imprisonment for peculation. 

Tweed Ring, a political ring, famous for its unscrupulous dishonesty, 
which governed New York, State and city, from i860 to 1871. The ring 
was composed of William M. Tweed, A. Oakey Hall, Peter B. Sweeney and 
Richard B. Connolly. These men, through bribery and influence among 
the lower classes, particularly the foreign element, having first gained con- 
trol of Tammany Hall, so manipulated the mayoralty election of 1865 as to 
secure the city government. In 1866, Hall was elected mayor; Sweeney was 
made city and county treasurer; Tweed, superintendent of the street depart- 
ment; and Connolly, city comptroller. They carried into effect a new city 
charter which gave them absolute control of fiscal appropriations. When 
the Ring was finally overthrown in 1871, through publications of its frauds 
on the taxpayers, and the untiring efforts of Samuel J. Tilden, a prominent 
Democrat, it was discovered that the city debt had increased from $20,000,- 
000 to $101,000,000. Tweed died in prison; Sweeney and Connolly went 
into exile, and Hall also left the countr}'. 

Twenty-Cent Piece, a silver coin authorized in 1875, and issued chiefly 
for use in the Pacific States. Its coinage was discontinued in 1878. It was 
a legal tender to the amount of five dollars. 



"e>'^ 



Twiggs, David E. (1790-1862), served during the War of 1812. He 
commanded the right wing at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. He 
fought at Monterey, and led a brigade at Vera Cruz and a division at the 
capture of Mexico. He was in command of the Department of Texas in 
i85i and surrendered his army and military stores to the Confederate Gen- 
eral McCulloch. He was dishonorably dismissed from the U. S. army. 

Two-Cent Piece was first issued in 1864. Weight in grains 96. Its issue 
was discontinued in 1873. Upon the issue of 1864 ^''st appeared the motto 
" In God We Trust." It was legal tender to the value of twenty-five cents. 



Dictionary of United States History. 667 

Two-Penny Act, an act passed by the Virginia Assembly in 1755, to 
endure ten months, permitting that all debts now payable in tobacco should, 
at the debtor's option, be payable in money, at the rate of sixteen shillings 
and eight pence for every hundred-weight of tobacco. This equals two-pence 
a pound; hence the name. (See Parsons' Cause.) 

Two Sicilies. A claims convention was concluded in 1832, which pro- 
vided for the payment of 2,115,000 Neapolitan ducats to the United States 
for Napoleonic (Muratist) commercial depredations. A commercial treaty 
was concluded in 1S45, and a commercial and extradition treaty in 1855. 

Tyler, John (Marcli 29, 1790-January 17, 1862), tenth President of the 
United States, was a native of Virginia, and was graduated at William and 
Mary College in 1806. He early became a lawyer and member of the Legis- 
lature. From 1816 to 1821 he was Congressman, and from 1825 to 1827 
Governor of Virginia. He represented his State and the Democratic party in 
the U. S. Senate 1827-1836. He opposed the Democrats in various points, 
and received some Whig electoral votes for President in 1836. He served as 
a Whig member of the Legislature, and received the second place on the 
ticket with Harrison. They were elected in the " Tippecanoe and Tyler 
too" hurrah campaign of 1840, and one month after the inauguration Tyler, 
by Harrison's death, succeeded to the office of President. He called an 
extra session of Congress, vetoed the Bank bills, and broke with the Whig 
leaders. All the members of his Cabinet, except Webster, resigned in the 
autumn of 1841. He finally reorganized the Cabinet with Whigs and 
Democrats both, of wlioni Calhoun was the most prominent. The tariff of 
1842, the Oregon excitement, and the annexation of Texas mark President 
Tyler's administration. He was nominated by a Democratic Convention in 
1844, but withdrew from the contest. After retiring in 1845, he was in 
retirement until 1861, when he acted as president of the Peace Convention. 
Soon afterward he was elected to the Confederate Congress. Life by Tyler. 

Tyler, Letitia C. (1790-1842), married John Tjler in 1813. She was 
especially fitted for the social duties of the White House, but her health was 
delicate, and she died soon after coming to Washington. In 1844 President 
Tyler married Julia Gardiner, of New York (1820-1889). 

Tyler, Moses Coit, born in 1835, became professor of American history 
in Cornell University in 1881. He wrote a " History of American Litera- 
ture," and a life of Patrick Henry. 

Tyler, Robert O. (1831— 1874), commanded an artillery' division at Fred- 
ericksburg. He was in command of the artillery reserve at Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg and in the Rapidan campaign. He led a division at Spottsylvania 
and a brigade at Cold Harbor. 

Tyndale, Hector (1821-1880), commanded a brigade at Chantilly, Bull 
Run and Antietam in 1862. In 1863 he led a division at Wauhatchie and 
Chattanooga. 

Tyner, James N., born in 1826, represented Indiana in the U. S. Congress 
as a Republican from 1869 to 1875. He was Postmaster-General in Grant's Cab- 
inet from 1876 to 1877, and Assistant Postmaster-General from 187710 1881. 



668 Dictionary of United States History. 

\J. 

Uncas (i588?-i682) revolted from the Pequot Indians in 1635 and became 
chief of the Mohegans. He made treaties of peace with the colonists, and 
in 1637 greatly assisted Colonel Mason's expedition against the Pequots, for 
which he received part of their land. In 1643 ^^ defeated Miantonomo, 
chief of the Narragansetts, and put him to death. He was always friendly 
to the whites and faithful to his treaties. 

Uncle Sam. An explanation which has been offered for this phrase is 
that the " U. S." on some Government supplies in the War of 1812 was 
humorously declared to be the initials of one Uncle Sam Wilson, a con- 
tractor. 

" Uncle Tom's Cabin," first published in the National Era, at Washing- 
ton, from June, 1851, to April, 1852, and appearing in book form in Boston 
in 1853. Mrs. Stowe seems to have been at first disappointed as to its success, 
but during the next five years 500,000 copies were sold through the States. 
It served to stimulate abolitionists' sentiments in a remarkable degree, stir- 
ring to their profoundest depths thousands of minds in the North which 
could never have been reached by politicians. It played no small part in 
creating an anti-slavery party, though its delineations of outrages perpetrated 
upon the slaves were in a gi'eat measure misleading and the work of imagi- 
nation. 

Unconstitutionality. The judicial power of declaring laws unconstitu- 
tional is sometimes spoken of as if it were a peculiar power specially con- 
ferred upon the U. S. Supreme Court. On the contrary, it is a natural and 
necessary incident of the ordinary judicial function of deciding cases, as this 
must operate under a system which involves two sorts of laws, the one (called 
constitutions) superior to the other (called statutes'). In case of conflict 
between the two in any case brought before a judge, he must decide in 
accordance with the former. This was pointed out as long ago as 1787, by 
James Iredell. Similarly, in the colonial period, in the case of chartered 
colonies, the Privy Council acting on appeals, or the colonial courts them- 
selves, might set aside a colonial statute as repugnant to the charter. Soon 
after the enacting of the first written constitutions in America, courts begaa 
to exercise this function with respect to those constitutions. The first such 
case observed is the New Jersey case of Holmes vs. Walton, in 1779. In 
Commonwealth vs. Caton, in Virginia, in 1782, there was an approach to this. 
Similar cases followed in Rhode Island (Trevett z's. Weeden, 1786) and in 
North Carolina (Bayard vs. Singleton, 1787). The first case in which the 
U. S. Supreme Court set aside a Federal statute as contrary to the Constitu- 
tion was that of United States vs. Yale Todd, (1794), but the first famous one 
was that of Marbury vs. Madison (1803.) The first case in which it set 
aside a State law was that of United States vs. Peters, (1809). For particu- 
lars, see these cases. History by Coxe. 

Underground Railroad, a name given to a mysterious organization 

which made it its business to aid in the escape of fugitive slaves. The 
movement originated among the Quakers of Pennsylvania, and the system 



Dictionary of United States History. 669 

was gradually extended until a chain of stations was established a day's 
journey apart and leading from Kentucky and Virginia across Ohio, and 
from Maryland through Pennsylvania and New York to Canada. The sta- 
tions were private houses, and the inmates were known to be pledged to the 
cause. The fugitives reached these stations after nightfall, were fed and 
clothed when it was necessary and given a night's rest. The sick were pro- 
vided with a place in which to remain until they were restored to health. 
Levi Coffin, a Quaker, and the reputed president of the organization, assisted 
in the escape of about 100 slaves annually for many years. He always had 
a carriage in readiness to convey the fugitives to a place of safety and 
organized sewing circles to provide clothing for the destitute. Harriet Tub- 
man, a colored woman, who had escaped North, made nineteen journeys to 
the South and brought back bands of fugitives always without detection. 
The greatest secrecy was observed in all of the movements of the organiza- 
tion. The Underground Railroad was formally organized in 1838, but did 
not reach its perfection until the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850 
aroused the Abolitionists to still greater exertions. History by Still. 

Underbill, John, died about 1672. He came to America from England in 
1630. He commanded in the expedition against the Pequots in 1637, and 
was conspicuous in the Dutch and Indian Wars from 1643 to 1646. 

• 

Underwood, Francis H., born in 1825, greatly aided the Free-Soil move- 
ment. He was clerk of the Superior Court in Boston from 1859 to 1870, 
and U. S. Consul to Glasgow, Scotland, from 1885 to 1888. He has written 
novels and liv^es of Lowell, Longfellow and Whittier. Died 1894. 

Underwood, Joseph R. (1791-1876), was Judge of the Kentucky Court 
of Appeals from 1828 to 1S35. He represented Kentucky in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Whig from 1835 to 1843, and in the U. S. Senate from 1847 to 

1853- 

Union College, Schenectady and Albany, N. Y., was incorporated in 1795 
by the regents of the University of New York State. The Dudley Observa- 
tory at Albany is a department. The medical school was established in 
1838, the law school in 1851. 

Union Labor Party, a descendant of the Greenback party. It was organ- 
ized at Cincinnati, February 23, 1887, and included in its platform some of 
the principles of the Knights of Labor. 

Unitarians. The first Unitarian church in the United States, King's 
Chapel, of Boston, became such by secession from the Episcopal body under 
Rev. James Freeman. In 1801 the original church of Plymouth, the oldest 
Congregational church in America, joined the new movement. From 1815 
to 1825 the controversy between the two parties among the Congregationalists 
was carried on with great bitterness, and resulted in the division of many 
churches. Harvard College about this time came under the influence of 
the Unitarians. Rev. W. E. Channing, of Newport, R. I., greatly aided 
the new movement by his tongue and pen. The body has been especially 
characterized by literary' culture, refinement and social virtue, but remains 
small and confined mainly to New England. 



670 Dictionary of United States History. 

Unitas Fratrum, or United Brethren. (See Moravians.) 

United Brethren in Christ. This sect arose soon after 1752 at Lancaster, 
Pa., through the labors of Rev. C. W. Otterbein, and afterward of Rev. 
Martin Boehm. Their purpose was to spread pure and earnest evangelical 
religion. Conferences began to be held annually, beginning at Baltimore 
in 1789. In 1800 the societies were united into one body with the above 
name and elected their two leaders as bishops. At first there was no formu- 
lated system of doctrine, but in 181 5 a creed was adopted at the annual con- 
ference, which still remains unchanged. The body has always favored 
radical reforms, an active missionary spirit and democracy in church govern- 
ment. Its membership lies principally in rural districts and numbered in 
1890, 225,000. 

United Colonies of New England. In May, 1643, ^^ ^^^ solicitation of 
the Colonial Government of Connecticut, the colonies of Massachusetts Bay, 
Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven met by delegates at Boston, and 
bound themselves together under a written constitution for mutual protec- 
tion against the Indians, and the French and Dutch settlers of Canada and 
New York. This league existed forty years. Each colony had one vote 
in controlling the league. Each managed its own internal affairs, the 
general management of the confederation being intrusted to a board of eight 
commissioners. After 1664 the confederation languished, and in 1684 it 
expired. 

United Empire Loyalists. After the close of the Revolution, of the 
expatriated Tory exiles, exceeding 30,000 in number, many fled to Canada, 
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where they fonned societies called the 
United Empire Loyalists. These associations kept burning a bitter hatred 
toward the Americans, and border disturbances were kept up for a long time. 

United Labor Party, organized in New York City in 1886. They ran 
Henry George as candidate for mayor that year. They proposed the forma- 
tion of a national organization, and declared that values arising from the 
growth of society belonged to the community as a whole. 

United States. Up to the Declaration of Independence the title employed 
had been United Colonies, after that it was United States of America. Their 
independence was first acknowledged by France, in the treaty of 1778. 
Great Britain acknowledged it by the treaty of 1783. The government at 
first consisted simply of the Continental Congress. From March i, 1781, 
the constitution in force was the Articles of Confederation; from June 21, 
1788, the present Constitution. The area was at first about 850,000 square 
miles; the population in 1790 less than four millions. (See Annexations, 
Population.) 

" United States," a frigate of forty-four guns built in 179S, met on 
October 25, 1812, near the island of Madeira, the British frigate " Mace- 
donian," likewise of forty-four guns. The fight at first was at long range, in 
which the " Macedonian " was badly damaged; this vessel, in attempting to 
draw nearer, lost nearly all its masts and spars. Seeing further resistance to 
be useless it surrendered. Of its 300 men it lost thirty-six killed, sixty-eight 



Dictionary of United States History. 671 

wounded. The "United States" lost five killed and six wounded. The 
" United States " with its prize then returned home and anchored January i, 
1813, in New York harbor. 

" United States Telegraph." The publication of this newspaper was 
begun in Washington in 1826 by Dufi" Green. Jackson was then President 
and the U. S. Telegraph was established as the organ of his administration. 
This journal was afterward suspended, having achieved but little success, 
and was superseded as official organ in 1830 by the Globe, edited by Francis 
P. Blair. 

United States vs. Peters. (See Peters.) 

United States vs. Todd. In 1794 Todd was by decree of the Circuit 
Court of Connecticut admitted to the U. S. pension list. It was afterward 
(in 1794) decided by the Supreme Court of the United States that the Circuit 
Court could not constitutionally make such decrees, nor could it act in the 
capacity of a commission not of judicial function. This related to the Act 
of Congress of 1792, relating to pensions, and formed the first instance in 
which the U. S. Supreme Court pronounced upon the constitutionality of an 
Act of Congress. 

Universalists. The main tenet of their belief was held by some Chris- 
tians in the third century, but as a modern teaching it owes its development 
to the founders of the denomination who advocated their views about the 
middle of the eighteenth century, almost simultaneously in England and the 
American colonies. The first convention of delegates met in Oxford, Mass., 
in 1785, and adopted the name of "Independent Christian Society, com- 
monly called Universalists." In 1790 a general convention met in Philadel- 
phia and drew up a platform of government and a confession of faith. Two 
years later the New England churches organized a convention for New Eng- 
land, and ten years later adopted the Profession of Belief which is still in 
vogue. This latter convention is now the General Convention. The body 
numbered about 49,000 members in 1890. 

Universities. The first project of a university in America was made by 
the Virginia Company in 1619, when it made a grant of 10,000 acres of 
land for a university at Henrico. But the highest educational estab- 
lishments of the colonial period were no more than colleges, and are more 
fitly treated under that title. Washington greatly desired the establishment 
of a national university, and left funds for that purpose, but his plan was 
never realized. The first true university, in the sense in which that term 
was used in Europe, was the University of Virginia, chartered in 1819 and 
opened in 1825. Since then several types of university have developed in 
the United States, viz., that which is a university in the sense of consisting of 
an aggregation of several schools, academic and professional, e. g.. Harvard; 
the State universities, of which the University of Michigan was the first to 
attain eminence; and that which is occupied with advanced or post-graduate 
instruction primarily, such as Johns Hopkins and Clark Universities. 

University Extension. This movement was introduced into the United 
States in 1890 by the American Society for the Extension of University 



672 Dictionary of United States History 

Teaching, founded in Philadelphia by Provost William Pepper, of the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania. During 1891-93 over sixty lecture centres were 
established in various towns. A seminary for training University Extension 
lecturers was opened at Philadelphia in October, 1892. More than 100 col- 
leges now participate in the movement. The movement has spread widely 
and has flourishing lecture centres in New England and the West. 

Upland, the original name of Chester, Pa. It was settled by the Swedes 
in 1645, ^^d "1 1682 possessed a mixed population of Swedes, Dutch and 
English. 

Upshur, Abel P. (1790— 1844), was a member of the Virginia Legislature 
from 1824 to 1826, a Judge of the General Court of Virginia from 1826 to 
1841, and a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1829. He was 
Secretary of the Navy in Tyler's Cabinet from 1841 to 1843, and Secretary 
of State from 1843 to 1844, when he was killed on board the "Princeton." 
He wrote an important exposition of the State-rights theory of the Consti- 
tution. 

Upton, Emory (1839-1881), commanded a battery at Yorktown and 
Gaines' Mill and an artillery brigade at South Mountain and Antietam. He 
led a brigade at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and in the Rapidan campaign. 
He fought in the " Wilderness," led a column at Spottsylvania and fought at 
Petersburg. He led a division at Opequan in 1864. He wrote a " System 
of Infantry Tactics." 

Ursuline Convent, mobbed and burned by Protestant rioters of Boston 
August 12, 1834. Strange stories had been circulated about the cruel treat- 
ment of the inmates of the convent, and the straiter sect of native Ameri- 
cans became riotous in opposition to the unruly Irish and other foreign 
Roman Catholic element. 

Usher, John P. (1816-1889), of Indiana, was First Assistant Secretary of 
the Interior from 1862 to 1863, when he became Secretary of the Interior in 
Lincoln's and Johnson's Cabinets, serving till May, 1865. 

Usselinx, Willem (1567-1647), of Antwerp, merchant, planned the Dutch 
West India Company, which was chartered in 1621, but becoming dissatis- 
fied, went over into the service of Gustavus Adolphus in 1624, and founded 
the Swedish West India Company, which was chartered in 1626. The 
remainder of his life was spent in efforts in behalf of that company in vari- 
ous countries of Europe. Life by Jameson. 

Utah forms a part of the Mexican cession of 1848. When the Mormons 
were driven from Illinois and Missouri they migrated to the present territory 
of Utah, which was inhabited by the Ute or Utah Indians, whence the name 
of the territory. Salt Lake City was founded, and the following year (1849) 
a convention asked in vain for admission into the Union for the new State 
of " Deseret." A territorial government was organized in 1850, with Brig- 
ham Young as Governor. In 1857 Federal troops were sent into the terri- 
tory to compel obedience. Admission into the Union was again demanded 
in 1862 and again refused. The " Edmunds Bill," passed in 1882, aimed at 
the suppression of polygamy and disfranchised all polygamists, but has not 



Dictionary of United States History. 673 

succeeded as yet (1894), because of the large number of monogamous Mor- 
mons who control the Legislature, and the difficulty of securing convictions 
under the law. The opening of mines has attracted many " Gentiles " into 
the territory. The population of Utah, which in 1890 was 207,905, would 
some time ago have warranted its erection into a State were it not for the 
existence of polygamy, which would fall under the protection of the State 
Legislature if Utah were admitted. December 13, 1893, a bill passed the 
House for its admission. Utah admitted as a State January 4, 1896. 

Utes, a tribe of Indians in New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Nevada. 
They have generally been friendly to the whites, but the Utah bands have 
carried on hostilities with the Mormons. Subsequently disturbances occurred 
between them and miners at Pike's Peak and they defeated Major Ormsby on 
Truckee River. In 1865 large tracts of land were ceded to the United States. 
Later trouble arose with P>lack Hawk, a chief of the Pah Utes, and for several 
years bloody warfare followed. 

Utrecht, Treaty of, concluded between France, Great Britain, Portugal, 
Prussia, Savoy and Holland in 1713, ended the war of the Spanish Succes- 
sion, called in America " Queen Anne's War." France ceded to Great 
Britain Hudson's Bay and Straits, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and the 
adjacent islands. Spain granted to a British company the exclusive right 
for thirty years of supplying Spanish America with negroes, and engaged 
not to transfer any land or lordship in America. 



Vail, Alfred (i 807-1 859), of New Jersey, was associated with Professor 
Morse in the invention of the telegraph. The alphabetical characters and 
many of the essential features of the telegraph are his invention. 

Vallandigham, Clement Laird (1822-1871), a lawyer and active Demo- 
cratic politician in Ohio, served in the Legislature of that State, and was 
Congressman 1 857-1 863. He bitterly opposed the Government as the war 
progressed, and became noted as the most extreme of Northern sympathizers 
with the Confederacy. General Burnside arrested him, and he was banished. 
From the Confederate States he went to Canada, and while there was nomi- 
pated for Governor by the Ohio Democrats in 1863. He was defeated by 
Brough by a majority of 100,000. The following year he was a member of 
the Democratic National Convention. 

Vallandigham's Case. In 1863 Clement L. Vallandigham, of Ohio, was 
tried, convicted and imprisoned for uttering opinions disloyal to the Union 
by a military commission appointed by General Burnside. Vallandigham 
applied to the Supreme Court to review by certiorari th^ proceedings of the 
military commission, claiming to have been unlawfully convicted. The 
Supreme Court maintained the decision of the commission on the ground 
that it had no power to review proceedings ordered by a general officer of 
the United States army. 

43 



674 Dictionary of United States History. 

Valley Forge, site of Washington's winter encampment, 1777-78, twenty 
miles from Philadelphia on the west side of the Schuylkill. His force at 
this encampment was 11,000 strong, but in miserable condition for lack of 
proper food and clothing. There was great suffering, borne with wonderful 
patience throughout the winter. The men had no shoes and were obliged 
to forage for supplies. 

Valverde, N. M., an engagement, occurring February 21, 1861, between 
1500 Unionists, chiefly volunteers, under Canby, and 2000 Texan rangers 
commanded by Sibley and Green. Colonel Roberts, Federal, first routed 
Major Pryon, but the latter, falling back, was supported by Green. The 
Texans made a spirited dash upon the Federal lines, heedless of the 
volley of grape and canister. The Federal troops fled in the utmost con- 
fusion. 

Van Buren, John (1810-1866), son of Martin Van Buren, was Attorney- 
General of New York from 1845 ^^ iS47- He was active in the political 
canvass of 1848, when his father was a candidate of the Free-Soil party for 
the Presidency. 

Van Buren, Martin (December 5, 1782-July 24, 1862), eighth President of 
the United States, was born at Kinderhook, N. Y. He rose to eminence in 
his State both as a lawyer and as a Democratic politician. He is noted as- 
an adroit party manager, and was styled in his time the " Little Magician." 
He was a State Senator, U. S. Senator 1821-1828, Governor 1828-1829, and 
Secretary of State under Jackson 1829-1831. President Jackson, in 1831, 
appointed him U. S. Minister to England, but the Senate refused to confirm 
the nomination. He was elected with Jackson for the latter's second term, 
serving as Vice-President 1833-1837, and was the chosen heir to the succession. 
Elected by 170 electoral votes over the Whig candidate, Harrison, in 1836, 
he inherited the results of Jackson's measures. The two foremost places in 
President Van Buren's Cabinet were held by Forsyth in the State and Wood- 
bury in the Treasury Department. Among the features of public interest 
in his administration were the disastrous panic of 1837, the independent 
treasury system and the pre-emption law. In 1840 he was pitted against his 
former antagonist, but with the opposite result; he received only sixty electoral 
votes. In 1844 Ex-President Van Buren had a majority, but not a two- 
thirds majority of votes in the Democratic National Convention; he opposed 
the annexation of Texas, and was discarded for Polk. In 1848 he was the 
Free Soil candidate, and diverted enough Democratic votes to defeat Cass and 
elect Taylor. Life by E. M. Shepard. 

Van Corlear, Arendt (i6oo?-i667), came to America from Holland in 
1630. He became superintendent of a "colony" having jurisdiction from 
the Hudson to the ]\Iohawk Rivers. He founded the settlement at Schenec- 
tady, and had great influence with the Indians. 

Van Cortlandt, Oloff S. (1600-1684), came to New Netherlands from 
Holland in 1638 in the service of the West India Company. He was promi- 
nent in political afiairs, and from 1655 to 1664 was a burgomaster of New 
Amsterdam. 



Dictionary of United States History. 675 

Van Cortlandt, Pierre (1721-1814), was a member of the New York 
Assembly from 1768 to 1775. He was a member of the first Provincial 
Congress, and was Lieutenant-Governor of New York from 1777 to 1795. 

Van Cortlandt, Stephanus (1643-1700), held every prominent office in 
the province of New York except the Governorship. He was Mayor of New 
York almost continuously from 1677 ^o 1700. His estate was erected into a 
lordship and manor in 1697. 

Van Dorn, Earl (1820-1863), was promoted for gallant service at Cerro 
Gordo, Contreras and Churubusco, and aided in the capture of the City of 
Mexico. In 1856 he commanded an expedition against the Comanches. In 

1861 he joined the Confederacy and succeeded Jefferson Davis as major- 
general of the Mississippi forces. He captured the steamer " Star of the 
West," and received the surrender of Major Sibley and Colonel Reeve. In 

1862 he commanded the trans-Mississippi Department. He was defeated at 
Pea Ridge and Corinth. He captured valuable stores at Holly Springs in 
1862. 

Van Rensselaer, Kilian (i 595-1 644), was prominent in forming the Dutch 
West India Company. He sent an agent from Holland to the New Neth- 
erlands, who purchased a vast estate comprising the present counties of 
Albany, Columbia and Rensselaer. He named it Rensselaerswyck and col- 
onized it with emigrants. Under his management through a director the 
colony became a powerful, almost independent, province. 

Van Rensselaer, Solomon (1774-1852), led the attacking party at Queens- 
town Heights in 181 2. He represented New York in the U. S. Congress as 
a Federalist from 1819 to 1822. 

Van Rensselaer, Stephen (1765— 1839), was a member of the New York 
Senate from 1791 to 1795, and Lieutenant-Governor from 1795 to 1801. He 
served in the New York Assembly from 1808 to 1810. He was appointed 
commander of the forces on the northern frontier in 181 2, and fought the 
battle of Oueenstown Heights. He was a canal commissioner from 1816 to 
1839. He represented New York in the U. S. Congress as a supporter of 
Adams from 1822 to 1829. He founded the Rensselaer Polytechnic Insti- 
tute at Troy. 

Van Rensselaer Manor. (See Rensselaerswyck.) 

Van Twiller, Wouter or Walter (i5So?-after 1646), was chosen Governor 
of New Netherlands by the Dutch West India Company in 1633, and served 
until 1637. He ably maintained the commercial interests of the colony, but 
was an incompetent Governor, and was constantly involved in quarrels with 
the English in the Massachusetts and Connecticut colonies. 

Van Wart, Isaac (1760-1828), was an active supporter of the patriot 
cause during the Revolution. With John Paulding and David Williams he 
intercepted Major Andre in 1780. 

Van Wyck, Charles H., born in 1824, represented New York in the U. S. 
Congress as a Republican from 1859 to 1S63 and from 1867 to 1871. He 
represented Nebraska in the U. S. Senate from 18S1 to 1887. Died 1895. 



676 Dictionary of United States History. 

Vance, Zebulon B. (1830-1894), represented North Carolina in the 
U. S. Congress as a State-Rights American from 1858 to 1861. He was 
colonel of a Confederate regiment from 1861 to 1862; Governor of North 
Carolina from 1862 to 1864, and greatly aided the Confederate cause. He 
was again Governor from 1876 to 1879, and was a U. S. Senator from 1879 
to 1894. 

Vancouver, George (i 758-1 798), British naval officer, took part in the 
second and third voyages of Captain Cook. In 1791 he was appointed by 
the British Government to survey the northwest coast of North America 
from 30° north latitude, northward. He returned to England in 1795. A 
report of his careful survey was published entitled " Voyage of Discovery to 
the North Pacific Ocean and Round the World." England's claim to 
Oregon was mainly founded on it. 

Vanderbilt, Cornelius (1794-1877), amassed a large fortune by steamboat 
transportation. In 1851 he established a steamship line between New York 
and California via Nicaragua. In 1855 he established a line between New 
York and Havre. In 1857 he turned his attention to railroads, and became 
one of the foremost " railroad kings " in America. He founded Vanderbilt 
University at Nashville, Tenn. 

Vanderbilt, William H. (1821-1885), son of Cornelius, became president 
of the New York Central and Hudson River and New York and Harlem 
Railroads in 1877, and at his death was probably the richest man in 
America. 

Vane, Sir Henry (161 2-1662), a noted Puritan statesman, came to Boston 
in 1635, and was Governor of the Massachusetts colony the next year. He 
sided with Mrs. Hutchinson in the celebrated Antinomian controversy. He 
was a member of the General Court, but soon returned to England. He was 
knighted, entered Parliament, became treasurer of the navy, and was promi- 
nent in the impeachment of Strafford, as commissioner to Scotland, and 
member of the Westminster Assembly. In the Commonwealth he sat in 
the Council of State, was a Republican leader, and frequently opposed to 
Cromwell. He presided over the State Council in 1659, and at the Restora- 
tion was excepted from the general pardon. Although not one of the 
Regicides, yet as a strong Republican he was executed by Charles II. on 
general charges of treason. He is supposed to have invented the " previous 
question" and the constitutional convention. Life by Hosmer. 

Varick, Richard (1753-1831), was secretary to General Schuyler in the 
Northern Department from 1776 to 1780. He was Washington's record- 
ing secretary from 1781 to 1783, and was Mayor of New York from 1791 to 
1801. 

Varnum, James M. (1748-1789), commanded a regiment at White Plains, 
led the troops at Red Bank, and served under Lafayette in Rhode Island. 
He represented Rhode Island in the Continental Congress from 1780 to 1782 
and from 1786 to 1787. 

Varnum, Joseph B. (1750-1821), was a member of the Massachusetts 
Legislature from 1780 to 1787, of the Massachusetts Convention of 1788, 



Dictionary of United States History. 677 

and of the Governor's Council from 1787 to 1795. He represented Massa- 
chusetts in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1795 to 181 1, acting as 
Speaker from 1807 to 1811. He was a U. S. Senator from 1811 to 1817. 

Vassar, Matthew (i 792-1 868), came to America from England in 1796. 
In 1 86 1 he founded Vassar College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., with an endow- 
ment of $778,000. 

Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., an institution for the higher educa- 
tion of women, was first chartered in 1861, but opened four years later. It 
was named after Matthew Vassar, its founder. 

Vaudreuil, Louis P. de R. (172 1— 1802), entered the French navy in 1740 
and became chef d'escadre in 1777. He participated in the capture of Cirenada 
under Count d'Estaing. He assisted at the siege of Savannali in 1779, 
assuming command of the fleet during the assault. He commanded a 
division under Count de Grasse in the Chesapeake engagement with Admiral 
Graves and in the siege of Yorktown. 

Vaudreuil, Philippe de R., Marquis de (1640-1725), came to Canada from 
France in 1687 as commander of the forces. He defended Quebec against 
the English in 1690 and in 17 10. He became Governor of Montreal in 
1702 and of Canada in 1703. 

Vaudreuil, Pierre F. de R. (1698-1765), Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal, 
born in Canada, was made Governor of Three Rivers in 1733 and of Louisiana 
in 1742. He was appointed Governor of Canada in 1755. He was estranged 
from Montcalm, the commander of the Canadian troops, but did all in his 
power to avert the capture of Quebec. He capitulated for the surrender of 
Quebec in terms distasteful to the authorities, but an investigation exonerated 
him. 

Vaudreuil, Pierre F. de R. (i 704-1 772), captured Fort Massachusetts and 
gained a victory' on Lake St. Sacrament and took many prisoners. He organ- 
ized the Canadian army that besieged the forts at Oswego and Ontario. 

Vaughan, Benjamin (i 751-1835), was prominent in the negotiations for 
peace between England and the United States in 1783. He was not officially 
connected with the transaction, but as a friend of Franklin and Lord Shel- 
burne. He was a member of Parliament from 1792 to 1796. He came to 
America in 1796. He accumulated a large library and wrote many political 
articles. 

Vaughan, Sir John (1738-1795), British soldier, came to America from 
England in 1775. He led the grenadiers at Long Island, and commanded 
a column at Forts Clinton and Montgomery. In 1779 he captured Stony 
Point. 

Venezuela. The United States concluded a treaty of peace, friendship, 
navigation and commerce with Venezuela in 1836. By the Convention of 
1859 Venezuela agreed to pay claims of $130,000. A commercial and 
extradition treaty was concluded in i860. 

Vera Cruz, Mexico, deemed the gateway to the heart of Mexico during 
the Mexican War, was besieged by General Scott with 12,000 men, March 



678 Dictionary of United States History. 

23-29, 1847. General Morales commanded the town with 4390 men. Scott 
found no difficulty in landing his soldiers from the island of Lobos, his 
rendezvous, and in placing his batteries. The town was poorly fortified 
and Scott's bombardment effected great ruin. On March 25 Morales held 
a council of war. He was advised to surrender, but refused to do so, and 
resigned his command to General Jose Juan Landero. This general sur- 
rendered March 29. The Mexican ofRcers were allowed to retain their 
arms and effects and the soldiers were permitted to retire to their homes. 
Scott then took possession. 

Vergennes, Charles G., Count de (17 17-1787), became Minister of Foreign 
Affairs in France in 1774. He gave efficient support to the American 
colonies during the Revolution. He counselled Louis XVI. to loan them 
money, to recognize their independence, and to sign the treaty of 1778, by 
which France aided them with forces, money and supplies. He was a 
negotiator of the treaty of Versailles in 1783. The American negotiators 
suspected him of intending to sacrifice their interests, and, disregarding their 
instructions, made a separate peace apart from France. 

Vermont (the word means Green Mountains) was known during its early 
history as the New Hampshire grants. The district was claimed by both 
New York and New Hampshire, but refused to acknowledge the authority 
of either. New York obtained a decision of the king in her favor (1764), 
and endeavored to compel the settlers to pay for their land again. The 
people of Vermont resisted, organized militia, and remained independent. 
In 1777 Vermont declared her independence, and adopted as her constitution 
that of Pennsylvania, with some changes, one of which was the abolition of 
slavery. In 17S9 New York agreed to recognize the separation of Vermont, 
and on March 4, 1791, the State was admitted into the Union. Until 1800 
the State supported the Federalist party. After that date the State was 
Democratic until 1820. Vermont was represented in the Hartford Conven- 
tion (1814) by one delegate. Since 1820 the State has been uniformly Anti- 
Democratic (Whig, then Republican). In 1832 the electors were Anti- 
Masonic. In 1882 the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors was 
prohibited. The population of Vermont in 1791 was 85,339; ^^ 1890, 
332,422. History by Robinson. 

Vermont, University of, Burlington, was chartered in 1791, but opened 
in 1800. In 1865 the State added an agricultural department. The medical 
department was organized in 1809. 

"Vermont Gazette." There were two gazettes established in Vermont. 
The first, called the Vermont Gazette^ or Green Mountain Post Boy, was the 
first paper of the State, and was begun at Westminster by Spooner and 
Green, February 12, 1781, and was suspended two years later. In 1783, 
June 5, Haswell and Russell founded at Bennington the Vermont Gazette, 
or Freemen'' s Depository. With several changes of title, it survived till 1880. 

Verona, Congress of (1822), a meeting of envoys of the great European 
powers to consult respecting the disturbances in Spain. Their project of 
interference for the sake of restoring Spanish power in the revolted colonies 



Dictionary of United States History. 679 

of South America was what led to the enunciation of the Monroe Doctrine 
in 1823. 

Verplanck, Gulian C. (1786— 1870), was a member of the New York 
Legislature from 1820 to 1822. He represented New York in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1825 to 1833, and was a State Senator from 
1838 to 1841. He wrote " The Bucktail Bards," a series of political pamph- 
lets; " Discourses on American Histor}-, Arts and lyiterature;" " The Ameri- 
can Scholar," and was joint editor of the Talisman. 

Verrazano, Giovanni de (1470-1527), Florentine navigator, is said to have 
visited the north coast of North America in 1508. He engaged in plunder- 
ing Spanish and Portuguese commerce, and became famous as a corsair. In 
1522 he captured a treasure-ship sent from Mexico by Cortes. In 1524 he 
explored the coast of North America from 30° to 50°, and took possession 
for the king. 

Versailles, Treaty of, a treaty of peace concluded at Versailles between 
commissions representing the United States and Great Britain. It was 
arranged in 1782, and was formally ratified September 3, 1783. Jay, Adams, 
Franklin and Laurens formed the American Commission. By this treaty 
the absolute independence of the United States was recognized. Florida 
was returned to Spain; the Americans relinquished their pretensions to the 
territory north of Lake Erie; the St. Lawrence river system, from the 
western end of Lake Superior to the forty-fifth parallel, was made the 
boundary; from the fort>'-fifth parallel to the sea, the boundary followed the 
highlands after an uncertain fashion, and was long a matter of bitter dispute; 
British right of navigation of the Mississippi was yielded, England accord- 
ing in return the American right of fishing on the Canadian and Newfound- 
land coasts; Loyalists and Tories were to be protected in America; English 
troops were to be withdrawn without destroying any property, or taking 
away any negro slaves belonging to Americans. This treaty was in reality 
signed in Paris, but is generally known by the above name, which properly 
belongs only to the treaty between England and France. 

Vesey, Denmark (1767 ?-i822), a negro slave who purchased his freedom 
in 1800 and lived in Charleston. He maintained the right of slaves to 
strike for liberty, and organized a plot for a general insurrection around 
Charleston. Several thousand slaves were in the plot. The attempt was 
made in 1822, but was promptly suppressed, and U. S. troops guarded 
against a new attempt. The leaders were hanged. 

Vespucius. (See Americus.) 

Vest, George G., born in 1830, was a member of the Confederate Senate 
from 1863 to 1865. He was elected to the U. vS. Senate as a Democrat from 
Missouri in 1879. His present term expires in 1S97. 

Vestries. In England every parish had its vestrj'. In America, wher- 
ever there were parishes of the Church of England, there were vestries. 
Wherever that church was the established church, the vestries had powers 
of civil government in local matters, as well as powers in ecclesiastical 



68o Dictionary of United States History. 

matters. In Virginia, for instance, the vestry, the members of which were 
self-elected, were the chief authority in local government in less matters 
than those of the county. 

Vetch, Samuel (1668-1732), was adjutant-general of the Port Royal expe- 
dition in 1 7 10, and after its capture was made Governor of Nova Scotia. He 
held office till 17 13. 

Veto. Except in Connecticut and Rhode Island, colonial Governors had 
the power of vetoing acts of the colonial Legislatures, and the crown had 
also a right of vetoing subsequently. None of the original State constitu- 
tions gave the executive of the State a veto till that of Massachusetts in 
1780. In the Convention of 1787 various other plans for the veto were con- 
sidered, such as a suspensory veto and one in which the Supreme Court 
should be associated with the President. The plan finally adopted resembled 
that of Massachusetts, Congress being given power to override the veto by 
a two-thirds vote of both houses. Since then all but four of the States 
have given their Governors the veto power. A Federal negative on State 
laws was also discussed, but wisely abandoned. The general feeling is that 
the veto power has been useful to good government. It was for a long time 
used but sparingly. Washington vetoed two bills, Adams and Jefferson (and 
also J. Q. Adams, Van Buren, Taylor and Fillmore) none, Madison six, 
Monroe one, Jackson twelve, Tyler nine, Polk three, Pierce nine, Buchanan 
seven, Lincoln three, Johnson twenty-one. Grant forty-three, Hayes twelve, 
Arthur four, Cleveland (first administration) 301, mostly private pension 
bills. Of acts passed over the veto, the numbers are: Tyler one. Pierce five, 
Johnson fifteen. Grant four, Hayes one, Arthur one, Cleveland two. The 
vetoes most important historically were those by which Madison, Monroe 
and Jackson checked the " internal improvement " policy, Tyler's bank and 
tariff" vetoes, and those of Johnson upon the Freedmen's Bureau Acts, the 
Civil Rights Act, the Tenure of Office Act, and the Reconstruction Acts, all 
of which, save the first Freedmen's Bureau Bill, were passed over his veto. 
History by Mason. 

Veto, Pocket. The Constitution provides that, if the President does not 
either sign or veto a bill within ten days, it shall become law without his 
signature, " unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in 
which case it shall not be a law." This gives the President opportunity to 
prevent a bill from becoming law, if it is passed in the last days of a ses- 
sion, by simply taking no action upon it. This is called the " pocket veto." 
It was first used by President Madison in 1812 in the case of a naturaliza- 
tion act. But the first conspicuous instances were those by General Jack- 
son, seven of whose twelve vetoes were of this sort. 

Vice- Admiral, a grade created by Act of Congress in 1864. It was at the 
time of creation the highest naval office, but was outranked by that of 
admiral, created two years later. By the Act of January 24, 1S73, Congress 
provided that when the offices of admiral and vice-admiral became vacant 
the grades should cease to exist, that of rear-admiral to be then deemed the 
highest. On the death of Vice-Admiral Rowan in 1890 the grade became 
extinct. During the colonial period it was usual for the royal governor of 



Dictionary of United States History. 



68 1 



a colony to be also appointed vice-admiral, which made him head of the 
colonial admiralty courts. 

Vice-President. The office of Vice-President was provided by the Con- 
stitution of 1787, which provided that in case of the removal, death, resig- 
nation or disability of the President, his office should devolve on the Vice- 
President, whose only function meantime was to preside over the SenatCi At 
first the electors did not vote for President and Vice-President separately, but 
he who received the second largest number of votes was made Vice-Presidenti 
The modern practice was brought in by the Twelfth Amendment in 1804. 
The Vice-President has succeeded the President on four occasions, in each 
case by reason of the President's death: Tyler succeeded Harrison in 1841, 
Fillmore, Taylor, in 1850; Johnson, Lincoln, in 1865; Arthur, Garfield, in 
1881. The attempt was made in 1841 to give Tyler only the title and rights 
of " Acting President," but he claimed the full office of President. A list 
of the Vice-Presidents follows: 



Name. 


State. 


Political party. 


Qualified. 


John Adams 


Massachusetts . . 


Federalist 


June 


3. 1789 


John Adams 


Massachusetts . . 


Federalist 


December 


2. 1793 


Thomas Jefferson 


Virginia .... 


Dem. -Republican . . . 


March 


4, 1797 


Aaron Burr 


New York . . . 


Dem.-Republican . . . 


March 


4, 1801 


George Clinton 


New York . . . 


Dem.-Republican . . . 


March 


4, 1805 


George Clinton 


New York . . . 


Dem.-Republican . . . 


March 


4. 1809 


Elbridge Gerry 


Massachusetts . . 


Dem.-Republican . . . 


March 


4, 1813 


Daniel D. Tompkins . . . 


New York . . . 


Dem.-Republican . . . 


March 


4. 1817 


Daniel D. Tompkins . . . 


New York . . . 


Dem.-Republican . . . 


March 


5, 1821 


John C. Calhoun 


South Carolina . 


Dem.-Republican . . . 


March 


4, 1825 


John C. Calhoun ..... 


South Carolina . 


Dem.-Republican . . . 


March 


4, 1829 


Martin Van Buren .... 


New York . . . 


Democratic 


March 


4. 1833 


Richard M. Johnson . . . 


Kentucky . . . 


Democratic 


March 


4, 1837 


John Tyler 


Virginia .... 


Elected by Whigs . . . 


March 


4, 1841 


George M. Dallas 


Pennsylvania . . 


Democratic 


March 


4. 1845 


Millard Fillmore . . 


New York . . . 


Whi? 


March 


5. 1849 
4> 1853 


WilUam R. King 


Alabama .... 


Democratic 


March 


John C. Breckinridge . . . 


Kentucky . . . 


Democratic 


March 


4. 1857 


Hannibal Hamlin .... 


Maine ..... 


Republican 


March 


4, 1861 


Andrew Johnson 


Tennessee . . . 


Republican 


March 


4, 1865 


Schuyler Colfax 


Indiana .... 


Republican 


March 


4, 1869 


Henry Wilson 


Massachusstts . . 


Republican 


March 


4, 1873 


William A. Wheeler . . . 


New York . . . 


Republican 


March 


5, 1877 


Chester A. Arthur .... 


New York . . . 


Republican 


March 


4, i88i 


Thomas A. Hendricks . . 


Indiana .... 


Democratic 


March 


4, 1885 


Levi P. Morton 


New York . . . 


Republican 


March 


4, 1889 


Adlai E. Stevenson .... 


Illinois 


Democratic 


March 


4. 1893 


Garret A. Hobart .... 


New Jersey . . . 


Republican 


March 


4. 1897 



Of these Clinton, Gerry, King, Wilson and Hendricks died in office; Clinton 
in 1812, Gerry in 1814, King in 1853, Wilson in 1875, Hendricks in 1885. 
Calhoun resigned in 1832. 

Vicksburg, Miss., scene of an important battle and siege during the Civil 
War. The battle occurred December 28 and 29, 1862, while Grant and 
Sherman were forcing their way down the Mississippi with the Army of the 
West. The Confederate leader Johnston lay posted along the Yazoo River, 
holding the hills between Vicksburg and Haines' Bluff. Sherman caused a 



682 Dictionary of United States History. 

feint to be made upon the right of the enemy, while his main force attacked 
the centre, crossing the intervening bayou for that purpose. The fight was 
begun with a heavy play of artillery from both armies, and Sherman's 
troops were made to face a scathing fire of musketry during their attempt 
to reach the hills upon which the Confederates were posted. The Federal 
soldiers were obliged to scoojd holes in the sand banks for steps. Every 
assault was repelled, and Sherman lost heavily. A heavy rain the next day 
made another attack impossible. By May, 1863, Grant and Sherman had so 
far been successful in their operations along the Mississippi that after having 
defeated the Confederates at Champion Hills and Big Black River, they had 
compelled Pemberton, the Confederate leader, to retreat into Vicksburg. By 
May 19 Grant had begun a siege of that town with an army of 30,000 men. 
Pemberton commanded over 25,000 Confederates. Grant's army was rein- 
forced during the siege until it numbered 70,000. Johnston had telegraphed 
Pemberton to surrender the town and escape with his army if possible, but 
it was then too late. Porter held the Federal base of supplies along the 
Yazoo River. Before the city Grant occupied the centre, with Sherman on 
his right and McClernand on his left. On the Confederate side, Stevenson 
occupied five miles from the Warrenton Road to the railroad, with Bowen in 
reserve. The fortifications were bastioned earthworks, and there were pro- 
visions for two months. After some skirmishing. Grant ordered a grand 
assault May 22. But this proved a signal failure and cost him 2500 men; 
so he settled down to take the city by regular approaches. There was min- 
ing and counter-mining and a constant bombardment from Grant's batteries 
and the Federal gunboats and bomb-rafts, of which there were a number, 
both above and below the city. Pemberton held out bravely, for he had a 
great deal to contend with, both from lack of supplies and from discontent 
among his men. Finally, July 3, after forty-seven days of siege, perceiving 
that Grant contemplated a final assault, Pemberton asked for an armistice, 
and on July 4 he surrendered. The garrison was paroled and allowed to go free. 

Vilas, William F., born in 1840, commanded a regiment at Vicksburg in 
1863. He was Postmaster General in Cleveland's Cabinet from 1885 to 1887 
and Secretary of the Interior from 1887 to 1888. U. S. Senator from Wis- 
consin, 1891-97. 

Villere's Plantation (near New Orleans). The British, when moving upon 
New Orleans, encamped here. December 23, 1814, General Jackson made a 
night attack by land and river. After severe fighting the Americans with- 
drew. Their loss in all was 213 men; the British lost about 400. 

Vincennes, Jean B. B. (1688-1736), Canadian explorer, attained great 
influence over the Miami Indians, among whom he resided for some time. 
He rendered valuable services against the Foxes near Detroit in 1712. In 
1725 he built a fort and trading post on the present site of Vincennes, Ind. 
He joined the expedition of D'Artaguette against the Chickasaws, by whom 
they were finally defeated and burned at the stake. 

Vincennes, Ind., oldest town in the State, was settled by the French in 
1702. It came into the possession of England on the surrender of Canada 
in 1763, but was taken from them by the American army under General 



Dictionary of United States History. 683 

George Rogers Clark in 1779. It became the capital of Indiana in 1800 and 
remained the seat of the Government until 181 4. 

Vinland. (See Norsemen.) 

Vinton, Samuel F. (1792-1862), represented Ohio in the U. S. Congress 
as a Whig from 1823 to 1827 and from 1843 to 1851. 

Viomenil, Antoine C. du H., Baron de (1728-1792), was appointed sec- 
ond in command of the French force under Count Rochambeau to aid the 
American colonists. He distinguished himself at Yorktown where he led 
the assault on the redoubt. 

Virginia, the " Old Dominion," was one of the original thirteen States. Its 
shores were perhaps explored by Sebastian Cabot (1498) and Verrazano 
(1524), and certainly by Sir Walter Raleigh, who attempted to colonize the 
territory which he named Virginia in honor of Queen Elizabeth. In 1606, 
the London Company was chartered and obtained a grant of the land 
between the thirty-fourth and forty-first degrees of latitude. Three years 
later new boundaries were given to Virginia. Starting from Old Point Com- 
fort it was to extend two hundred miles north and south, and " west and 
northwest" to the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. The London Company 
were to have the profits of the colony for twenty-one jears, after which they 
were to pass to the crown. The government of the colony was placed in 
the hands of the two councils, one of which was resident in the colony. All 
settlers were guaranteed all rights as if living in England. One hundred 
and forty-three colonists set sail for Virginia and in 1607 founded Jamestown, 
the first permanent English settlement in America. For the first years the 
colonists were too largely " gentlemen," who were totally unfit to endure the 
hardships of pioneer life, and the colony was saved only by the exertions of 
John Smith. In accordance with royal instructions the colonists were bur- 
dened by the communal system until 161 2. Samuel Argall as Governor in 
1 61 7 exercised all the tyranny of martial law until recalled the following 
year. Under his successor, Yeardley, the first representative assembly in the 
history of America convened (1619) at Jamestown. This encouraged immi- 
gration, and in the same year some women appeared in Virginia. Slavery 
was introduced (1619) by the sale of twenty African slaves from a Dutch 
man-of-war. Factions having appeared in the London Company a writ of 
quo warranto was issued against the charter, and in 1624 Virginia became a 
royal colony. Virginia remained loj'al to Charles I. during his struggle 
with Parliament, and became the home of many royalist fugitives who were 
the ancestors of many of the most famous men in the history of the State. 
Charles II. repaid the loyalty of the people by granting the entire territory 
to Lords Arlington and Culpepper, and by the enforcement of the Naviga- 
tion Act, which compelled the colonists to sell all their products in English 
markets. The discontent was increased by the tyranny of Governor Ber- 
keley and an uprising of the Indians, and Bacon's Rebellion followed in 
1676. Upon the death of Bacon his followers were defeated and many 
hanged. From this time until the Revolution the colony increased in popu- 
lation, wealth and influence, and was recognized as the leading power in the 
struggle against England. Her militia, under Washington, did good service 



684 Dictionary of United States History. 

in Braddock's campaign in the French and Indian War. The assembly was 
dissolved in 1774 by Governor Dunmore, when a protest was being drawn 
up against the Boston Port Bill, but the members immediately reassembled 
in convention. In May, 1776, another convention adopted the first con- 
stitution of the State. The delegates in Congress from Virginia proposed 
the declaration of the independence of the colonies. Virginia took a promi- 
nent part in the struggles of the Revolution which closed on her soil by 
the capture of Yorktown and Cornwallis, October 19, 1781. Much oppo- 
sition was made to the Federal Constitution, which threatened to prevent 
its adoption, but it was finally ratified by a State convention on Januar}- 25, 
1788. The boundaries have caused much dispute because of the extensive 
claims made by Virginia. Her western territory was surrendered to the 
general Government because of the reluctance of Maryland to ratify the Arti- 
cles of Confederation until that should be done. Kentucky became a sepa- 
rate State in 1792. Virginia has been jealous of all encroachments by the 
national Government and has uniformly supported the Democratic party. 
Until 1825, the influence of Virginia in national politics was pre-eminent. 
In 1798, a protest was made to the centralizing policy of Hamilton and the 
Federalist party by the famous Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions. From 
1806 to 1808, the "Quids," under John Randolph, strenuously opposed the 
nomination of Madison to the Presidency. The more rapid growth of the 
western part of the State caused injustice from the old apportionment of 
representation. A convention assembled in 1829, ^^^ ^ readjustment was 
accomplished in the constitution of 1830. In 1831, a negro insurrection 
broke out under Nat Turner, which taught the danger of all agitation of the 
slavery question. (John Brown and other abolitionists attempted to free the 
slaves at Harper's Ferry, 1859.) Virginia did her utmost to avoid war in i860 
and 1 86 1, and called a peace convention of all the States. The people of 
Virginia knew that in case of war their State would be the battle-ground. 
An ordinance of secession was passed by a State convention April 17, 1861, 
and ratified by a popular vote May 23, 1861. During the war Richmond 
was the capital of the Confederacy, and Virginia the scene of many of the 
greatest battles. The State was readmitted January 26, 1870. The State 
was Democratic until the union of the Republicans and Readjusters under 
Mahone, who was elected U. S. Senator in 1879. There have been long- 
continued agitations respecting the payment of the State debt of $30,000,000, 
contracted before the war. In 189 1 a settlement was made, the debt being 
scaled down to $19,000,000, to bear two and subsequently three per cent 
interest. The population of the State in 1790 was 747,610; in 1890, 1,655,- 
980. History by Cooke and by Howison. 

Virginia, University of, Charlottesville, Va., was chartered in 1819 and 
opened in 1824. Its organization, plan of government and system of 
instruction are due to Thomas Jefferson, who planned it after the model of 
European universities, and by the original ideas upon which he founded it 
made it for a time the most influential school in America. It early devel- 
oped the elective system. The department of medicine was founded in 
1827, that of law in 1851. The university has prospered since the Civil 
War. 



Dictionary of United States History. 685 

Virginia Company. On April 10, 1606, James I. set apart by charter the 
territory between Cape Fear and Passamaquoddy Bay to be settled b)- two 
rival companies, the Virginia Company of London, and the North Virginia 
or Plymonth Company. To the London, or Virginia Company proper, was 
granted the land between parallels 34° and 41° north, or between Cape Fear 
and Long Island. This company was composed of London merchants and 
adventnrers. In 1606 an expedition consisting of three vessels and 143 
men, commanded by Christopher Newport, was fitted out, and succeeded in 
founding. May 13, 1607, the first permanent English settlement in America 
at Jamestown, Va. In 1609 a new charter was granted and the company 
reincorporated under the name of the London Company of Virginia; still 
another in 1612. Other colonizing parties arrived in 1609, 1611 and 1619, 
and by 1620 the colony of Virginia was firmly established. The majority 
in the company was of the political party in England opposed to the court. 
It fell into difiiculties with the king, who in 1624 caused its charter to be 
annulled. The company then dissolved. 

Virginia Coupon Cases. There were eight of these cases. All related 
to the legislation of the State of Virginia in 1871, authorizing the receipt 
of coupons of the State's funded debt, in payment of taxes and debts due 
the State. These cases came before tlie Supreme Court of the United States 
in 1884. The act of the Virginia General Assembly of 1882 required pay- 
ment of tax dues in " gold, silver. United States treasury notes, national 
bank currency, and nothing else." Hence the tax collectors refused to 
receive coupons in payment of taxes as authorized by the Act of 1871. 
The Supreme Court of the United States decided the Act of 1882 void as 
impairing the obligation of the contract of the Act of 1871, and judgment 
was found for the plaintiffs, the tax-payers. 

" Virginia Gazette." There were four "gazettes" published in Virginia 
in the last centur>' and all at Williamsburg. William Parks established the 
first, August, 1736, it being the first newspaper published in the province. 
Publication suspended 1750. William Hunter founded the second, February, 
1751. Publication was suspended after the Revolution. The third was 
begun by William Rind, May, 1766. Publication was suspended 1774. 
Davis and Clarkson published the fourth "gazette," beginning April, 1775, 
and continuing several years. There was also a Virginia Gazette published 
in Richmond for a very short period about 1S04 by A. Davis, a semi-weekly. 

Virginia Historical Society, organized in 1831 and chartered in 1834 
under the title of " The Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society;" but 
its researches have been mainly devoted to his tor}-. John Marshall was one 
of the early presidents. The society has recently published a series of 
volumes of historical material. 

Virginia Judges, case of the Superior Court Judges of Virginia. An act 
of the Virginia Legislature of 1779 constituted a Court of Appeals to consist 
of the Judges of the High Court of Chancery, General Court and Court of 
Admiralty. Afterward from time to time various acts were passed by the 
legislature affecting the privileges of the Court of Appeals. In 1788 this 
■court declared that the legislature could not control the prerogatives of the 



686 Dictionary of United States History. 

court under the provisions of the State constitution; that the judges of this 
court could not be required to act as district judges; that the legislature 
could not reduce the salaries of the judges, their duties remaining the same, 
and that the existing judges could not be removed during good behavior. 
This is one of the earliest instances of a court's pronouncing upon the con- 
stitutionality of an act of the legislature. 

Virginia Resolutions, resolutions passed by the Virginia Legislature in 
1798, in antagonism to the loose construction view of the Federalists. The 
passage of the Alien and Sedition laws was the direct cause of their adoption. 
They were framed by James Madison and sent to the legislatures of the other 
States, by which they were not approved. They declared the Union to be a 
compact, each party to which had a right to " interpose " in order to protect 
and defend itself against infringements of the compact. They regretted the 
introduction of a broad construction of the constitution, as tending toward 
a monarchy. They protested against the Alien and Sedition laws as uncon- 
stitutional. With the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 and 1799, these were 
the foundations of the later doctrines of nullification and secession. 

" Virginius," an American merchant vessel, captured on the high seas 
near Jamaica by the Spanish man-of-war "Tornado," October 31, 1873, on 
the ground that it intended landing men to assist in the Cuban insurrection 
then in progress. Four Cubans found among the passengers, and Captain 
Fry, with a number of others, were executed. This caused consider- 
able excitement in the United States. Spain, however, made immediate 
and ample reparation. The incident served to foment the filibustering 
spirit against Cuba, still rife among a certain class of statesmen in this 
country. 

Volney, Constantin F. C. B., Count de (1757-1820), traveled in the 
United States from 1795 to 1799. He conducted a controversy regarding 
John Adams' work on the U. S. Constitution. He wrote " La loi naturelle" 
and " Tableau du climat et du sol des Etats Unis d'Am^rique." 

Volunteers. On April 15, 1861, after the news of the firing upon Fort 
Sumter reached Washington, President Lincoln promptly called for 75,000 
volunteers. The Northern States eagerly responded. April 19, a Massa- 
chusetts regiment, en route to Washington, was attacked by a Baltimore 
mob. JeflTerson Davis also called for volunteers, and the Southern States 
obeyed his call with alacrity. Later in 1861 Congress provided for the calling 
out of 500,000 volunteers, and throughout the war they continued a chief 
variety of fighting material. 

Voorhees, Daniel W., bom in 1827, was U. S. District Attorney for 
Indiana from 1858 to 1861. He represented Indiana in the U. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1861 to 1866 and from 1869 to 1873. In 1S77 he 
became a U. S. Senator, and has served on the Finance Committee until the 
present time (1893). He has been prominent as an advocate of free silver 
coinage, but in 1893 ^^^ the opposition thereto. His present term expires 
in 1897. 



Dictionary of United States History. 687 

Waddell, James I. (1824-1886), entered the U. S. navy in 1841. He 
served during the Mexican War. He was made a lieutenant of the " Louis- 
iana " in the Confederate service in 1862. In 1863 he took command of the 
" Shenandoah," with which he preyed upon the U. S. merchant marine, and 
made thirty-eight captures. He did not learn of the fall of the Confederacy 
until three months after its occurrence. 

Wade, Benjamin Franklin (1800— 1878), an American statesman, was a 
lawyer and Whig politician in Ohio; he had been in the State Senate and 
served as State Judge before his entrance into the U. S. Senate. His term 
in that body covers the long period of 1 851— 1869. He rapidly became 
known as one of the most outspoken anti-slavery and later Republican 
leaders. He strongly opposed the Kansas-Nebraska measure, and during the 
Rebellion he was chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on the 
Conduct of the War. Senator Wade opposed President Lincoln to some 
degree on the Reconstruction problem, and was naturally in the opposition 
to President Johnson. He was chairman of the Committee on Territories, 
and was chosen President/;-^ icm. of the Senate in 1867. President Grant 
appointed him to the San Domingo commission in 1871. Wade was a leading 
candidate for the vice-presidency in 1868, and chairman of the Ohio dele- 
gation in the convention that nominated Hayes. 

Wadsworth, James S. (1807— 1864), was a prominent supporter of the 
Free-Soil party in New York. In 1861 he was a delegate to the Peace Con- 
vention in Washington. He was volunteer aide to General McDowell at 
Bull Run in 1861. He was in command of a brigade before Washington, 
and was military governor of the District of Columbia in 1862. He com- 
manded a division at Fredericksburg and at Gettysburg, where he lost over 
half his men. He was killed while leading his division at the Wilderness. 

Wadsworth, Peleg (1748-1829), fought at Long Island in 1776, and was 
second in command of the Penobscot expedition in 1779. He represented 
Maine in the U. S. Congress from 1793 to 1807. 

Wagner, Fort, S. C, in possession of a strong body of Confederates under 
Beauregard in 1863 and assaulted without success by General Strong with 
11,500 Federals of Gillmore's command. Strong was assisted by Dahlgren 
with the Federal frigate, " Ironsides," and six monitors. The Federals 
desired to hold Fort Wagner in order to render the destruction of Fort 
Sumter easier. The Federal troops were secretly landed upon the south 
end of Morris Island and the Confederate works in that vicinity easily cap- 
tured. July 17 a brief assault was made, which was quickly repulsed by the 
Confederates. July 18 the assault was resumed. Strong was mortally 
wounded and 1200 men were lost. Putnam, and Shaw, who led a colored 
regiment, were also killed. The assaults were continued upon Sumter, 
however, though that upon Wagner ceased. Sumter was practically destroyed 
by July 23, though Beauregard's force nearly twice outnumbered Gill- 
more's. 



688 Dictionary of United States History. 

Waite, Morrison R. (1S16-18SS), Chief Justice, was admitted to the bar 
in 1839 and soon was acknowledged as a leader. He was a member of the 
Ohio Legislature in 1849. He won distinction as a counsel for the United 
States in the Alabama claims before the tribunal of arbitration at Geneva, 
Switzerland, from 1871 to 1872. He was elected President of the Ohio 
Constitutional Convention in 1874. He became Chief Justice of the U. S. 
Supreme Court in 1874 and served until his death. 

Waldo Patent. In 1630, Beauchamp and others of Massachusetts obtained 
from the Council for New England a grant of thirty square miles on the 
Penobscot Bay and river. This was afterward called the " Waldo Patent," 
and is still in part held by the heirs or assigns of the grantees. 

Waldseemuller, Martin (i47o?-after 1522), German geographer, published 
an " Introduction to Cosmography, with the Four Voyages of Americus 
Vespucius." He advocated the name " America " for the New World, and 
seems to have been the author of its success. 

Walke, Henry, born in 1808, commanded the gunboats at Belmont and 
the " Carondelet " at Forts Fisher, Donelson and Pillow in 1862. He com- 
manded the " Lafayette " at Grand Gulf in 1863. 

Walker, Amasa (i 799-1 875), was a member of the Massachusetts Senate 
in 1849. He was Secretary of the State from 1851 to 1853. He repre- 
sented Massachusetts in the U. vS. Congress as a Republican from 1862 to 
1863. He was prominent in advocating new and reformatory measures, 
and was an authority on questions of finance. He published " Nature and 
Uses of Money and Mixed Currency " and " Science of Wealth, a Manual 
of Political Economy." 

^Valke^, Francis A., born in 1840, was adjutant-general of the Second 
Army Corps during the Civil War. He was commissioner of Indian affairs 
from 1871 to 1872. He was professor of history and political economy at 
the Yale Scientific School from 1873 to 1881, when he became president of 
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He compiled the ninth and 
tenth censuses, and published " Money, Trade and Industry," several works 
on political economy and a history of the Second Army Corps. Died 1897. 

Walker, Robert James (1801-1869), an American Cabinet officer, was 
educated in the University of Pennsylvania, studied law, and removed to 
Mississippi. He was Democratic U. S. Senator from that State from 1836 to 
1845. He favored the annexation of Texas, and the same year refused the 
nomination for Vice-President. In 1845 President Polk called him to the 
Treasury Department which he conducted until 1849. He is identified with 
the "Walker revenue tariff"" of 1846. He favored the warehouse system 
and the creation of the Interior Department. He was Governor of Kansas 
in 1857-1858, and during the war was U. S. financial agent in Europe. 

Walker, William (1824-1860), organized an unsuccessful expedition in 
1853 for the conquest of the State of Souora, Mexico. In 1855 he was 
induced to aid the " Liberal " party in the Nicaragua troubles. He gained a 
victory at La Virgen, and took possession of Granada. He became Secretary 
of War and commander-in-chief. He gained undisputed control of Nicaragua 



Dictionary of United States History. 689 

and caused himself to be elected President in 1856. His government was 
recognized by the United States. He was defeated in an insurrection in 1857. 
He made two subsequent attempts to overthrow governments in Central 
America, in one of which he was captured and shot. 

^A^alker vs. Jennison, a case, the decision in which in 1783 was the death- 
blow to slavery in Massachusetts. A negro servant had been beaten and 
imprisoned by a citizen who claimed him as his slave. The public would 
not overlook the offence. The Supreme Court held in Worcester County 
judged the defendant guilty of assault and fined him forty shillings. The 
Court held that the State Constitution of 1780, in declaring all men free 
and equal, had abolished slavery in Massachusetts. 

Wallace, Lewis, born in 1827, a lawyer and politician in Indiana, volun- 
teered in the war, and commanded a division at the battle of Fort Donelson. 
He was made major-general of volunteers. Previous to the battle of Shiloh 
General Wallace's division was stationed at Crump's Landing near the main 
army; his force could not reach the scene for the first day's fighting, but took 
part in the second day's work. He commanded the defences of Cincinnati 
in anticipation of Kirby Smith's attack; in July, 1864, in the battle of the 
Monocacy, Wallace, though defeated by Early, gained time to save the capital. 
He was Governor of Utah 1878-1881, and M'^inister to Turkey 1881-1885. 
Besides a life of President Harrison, General Wallace has written three 
successful novels: "A Fair God," "Beu-Hur" and "The Prince of India." 

Wallace, William A., born in 1827, was a member of the Pennsylvania 
Senate from 1862 to 1867. He represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. Senate 
as a Democrat from 1875 to 1881. 

Wallace, William H. L. (1821-1862), serv^ed during the Mexican W^ar. 
He commanded a brigade at Fort Donelson and at Shiloh, where he was 
mortally wounded after a gallant stand against the enemy. 

Wallace's Reports, law reports by John W. Wallace, in twenty-three 
volumes, of cases in the U. S. Supreme Court, 1863-1875. 

Wallack, James W^. (i 794-1 864), first came to the United States from 
England in 1818. He was a favorite actor in refined comedy. He estab- 
lished Wallack's Theatre in New York in 1861. 

Wallack, John Lester (1820-1888), was proprietor of Wallack's Theatre, 
New York, from 1864 to 1888. He was a popular actor of refined comedy. 
He wrote "The Veteran " and " Rosedale " for the stage. 

Walpole Grant. The Walpole Company was formed in 1766. In 1769 
the company petitioned for a grant of 2,500,000 acres between 38° and 42° 
north latitude and east of the Scioto River. August 14, 1772, the grant 
was finally made by the crown. The Walpole Company was opposed by the 
Mississippi Compan)', fonned some years later by a body of wealthy Y'ir- 
ginia planters. 

Walthall, Edward C, born in 1831, commanded a Confederate regiment 
at Fishing Creek, and a brigade at j\Iissionar>' Ridge and Nashville. He 

44 



690 Dictionary of United States History. 

was elected a U. S. Senator from Mississippi as a Democrat in 1885. His 
present term expires in 1895. 

Walton, George (1740-1804), was prominent in the pre-Revolutionary 
movements in Georgia. He represented Georgia in the Continental Con- 
gress from 1776 to 1781, and signed the Declaration of Independence. He 
commanded a battalion at Savannah in 1778. He was Governor of Georgia 
in 1779 and 1789. He represented Georgia in the U. S. Senate from 1795 
to 1796. 

Walworth, Reuben H. (1788-1867), represented New York in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1821 to 1823. He was Chancellor of New 
York from 1828 to 1848. He was proiiounced by Joseph Stor>' " the greatest 
equity jurist living." 

Wampanoags, a tribe of Massachusetts Indians who at first showed great 
friendliness toward the whites. In 1621 they entered into an amicable 
compact with the Plymouth settlers, and continued in peaceable trade rela- 
tions with them. lyater Massasoit, the chief of the tribe, was on terms of 
friendship with Roger Williams. They, however, resisted all attempts to 
convert them to Christianity. Their last chief, Philip, resided at IMount 
Hope, and under him a disastrous war was waged with the whites, which in 
1676 resulted in the overthrow of the tribe. Their power was broken, and 
they were rapidly dispersed. 

Wampum, or 'Wompan, an Indian word meaning "strings of white 
beads." Wampum was used as money, according to tradition, first by the 
Narragansett Indians and was afterward generally adopted by the Indians 
along the eastern coast as a medium of exchange. It was also used as money 
by the colonists of New England and the Middle States, being deemed a 
legal tender from 1627 to 1661. Wampum was manufactured from beads 
made from the stems of periwinkle shells, common along the coast. These 
shells were both white and black, and the value of the latter as a medium 
of exchange was twice that of the former. The beads were strung together 
and sewn upon belts, and were also worn as necklaces and wristlets. The 
black beads were called " Suckanhock." Wampum was also known under 
the Dutch name " Sewon," or "Zeewand." Payments were made by strip- 
ping oS" individual beads, or by cutting off portions of the embroidered belts. 

W^anamaker, John, born in 1838, of Philadelphia, established a system 
of co-operation among employees in his store, which is one of the largest in 
the United States. He was Postmaster-General in Harrison's Cabinet from 
1889 to 1893. 

War, Secretary of, an office created by Act of Continental Congress, Feb- 
ruary 7, 1 781. This office was designed to supersede the Board of War. 
Benjamin Lincoln was the first Secretary (1781-83), Henry Knox the second 
(1785-89). Under Knox the department was developed and well conducted 
until the establishment of the present War Department in 1789. 

War Democrats, members of the Democratic party who sui^ported the 
administration during the Civil War, in spite of previous party connections 
with the secessionists. 



Dictionary of United States History. 691 

\A^ar Department. The Continental Congress at first managed military 
affairs through a committee. In 1776 the Board of War and Ordnance was 
created, and in 1777 a new Board of War, not composed of members of Con- 
gress. In 1781 a Secretary of War was provided for. August 7, 1789, the 
First Congress established the War Department. Henry Knox, who had 
been "Secretary of War" since 1785, was continued in the new office. 

War of 1812. (See Great Britain, Second War with.) 

\A^ard, Artemus (1727-1800), became a major in 1755, and served under 
General Abercrombie against the French and Indians. He was a prominent 
member of the Massachusetts Legislature. He was made commander-in- 
chief of the Massachusetts forces in 1775. He was in nominal command 
at the battle of Bunker Hill, but was not in the field. He commanded the 
forces besieging Boston until the arrival of Washington, when he became 
second in command. He represented Massachusetts in the U. S. Congress 
as a Federalist from 1791 to 1795. 

Ward, Frederick T. (1S31-1862), attained high rank as a soldier in the 
service of the Chinese Emperor. At the time of the " Trent " affair between 
England and the United States he prepared to seize British vessels in 
Chinese waters. 

Ward, John Q. A., bom in 1830, won distinction as a sculptor by his 
statues, "The Freedman," "The Indian Hunter," "The Pilgrim," and 
" The Good Samaritan." He has executed statues of Washington, Putnam 
and Garfield. 

Ward, Nancy (eighteenth centur>'), prophetess of the Cherokee Indians, 
sympathized with the white settlers and saved many from the stake. She 
gave warnings of every raid of the Cherokees upon the whites. 

Ward, Nathaniel (i578?-i652), was charged with non-conformity in 
England and came to Massachusetts in 1634. He compiled the "Body of 
Liberties " for the Massachusetts colony which was adopted by the general 
court in 1641. It was the first code of laws established in New England. 
He returned to England in 1646. He wrote " The Simple Cobbler of Agga- 
wam in America," a political satire. 

^A^a^d, Samuel (1725-1776), was Governor of Rhode Island from 1762 to 
1763 and from 1765 to 1767. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress 
from 1774 to 1775. He was a zealous patriot. 

\Vare, Henry (1764-1845), was Hollis professor of divinity in Harvard 
College from 1805 to 1840. His acceptance caused the separation of the 
Unitarians, of whom he became a leader, from the Orthodox Congregation- 
alists. 

Ware, William (1797-1852), was pastor of the First Congregational 
Church in New York from 1821 to 1836. He wrote "American Unitarian 
Biography," " The Works and Genius of Washington Allston " and " Life 
of Nathaniel Bacon," and also several historical novels, " Zenobia," " Aure- 
lian," etc. 



692 Dictionary of United States History. 

Ware vs. Hylton, a Supreme Court case of importance. In 1796 Ware, 
a citizen of Great Britain, brought suit against Hylton, of Virginia, for the 
recovery of a debt. Hylton refused payment on the plea that the act of the 
Virginia L,egislature of 1777 enabled debtors of British subjects to pay such 
debts to the State loan office. Hylton claimed to have done this. The 
U. S. Circuit Court in Virginia decreed for the defendant, but the Supreme 
Court of the United States reversed this decision on the ground that the 
legislature had not the power to extinguish the debt, when payment of such 
debts had been stipulated in the Treaty of 1783. 

■Warner, Adoniram J., born in 1834, served in the Civil War. He repre- 
sented Ohio in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1878 to 1880, and 
from 1882 to 1886. He has published works upon economic questions. 

Warner, Charles Dudley, born in 1829, ^^^ been an editor of the Hartford 
Press and Courant since i860, and of Harper's Magazine since 1884. He 
has written " Studies in the South," " Mexican Papers " and " Studies in the 
Great West," which depict the political and social condition of those terri- 
tories; "Washington Irving" in the "Men of Letters" series, of which he 
is editor, and " Backlog Studies." 

Warner, Seth (i 743-1 784), of Vermont, was a leader of the inhabitants 
of the " New Hampshire Grants " in the conflicts of jurisdiction with New 
York authorities, by whom he was outlawed. He was second in command at 
Ticonderoga. He captured Crown Point. He participated in Montgomery's 
campaign in Canada. He commanded at Hubbardston and was active at 
Bennington. He retired in 1782 on account of ill health. 

^A^arne^, Susan (1819-1885), wrote "The Wide, Wide World," the most 
popular novel by an American except "Uncle Tom's Cabin." She also pub- 
lished " Oueechy," and other novels. 

Warren, Gouverneur Kemble (i 830-1882), graduated at West Point in 
1850. In the Civil War he was continuously in the Army of the Potomac. 
He was a colonel at Big Bethel, commanded a brigade in the Peninsula cam- 
paign. Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg, was chief engineer 
of the army at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg; in the latter struggle he 
seized the important position of Little Round Top. He was distinguished 
as commander of a corps at Centreville, October, 1863, and led a corps 
through the Wilderness, North Anna, Cold Harbor and Petersburg campaign, 
until at the battle of Five Forks, April i, 1865, he was removed by Sheri- 
dan. In 1879 he reached the grade of lieutenant-colonel in the regular 
army. 

Warren, Joseph (1741-1775), an American patriot, was a graduate of 
Harvard and a physician of Boston. In the years immediately preceding 
the outbreak of the Revolution Dr. Warren was foremost among the Massa- 
chusetts patriots. He was a noted orator, a member of the Committees of 
Correspondence, president of the Provincial Congress of 1774, and chairman 
of the Committee of Public Safety. He was actively engaged in organizing 
the volunteers in the spring of 1775. The Massachusetts Provincial Congress 
made him a major-general. Waiving his rank, he fought at the battle of 



Dictionary of United States History. 693 

Bunker Hill as a private soldier, and was the chief victim. His life has been 
written by A. H. Everett and by R. Frothingham. 

■Warren, Mercy (1728-1814), sister of James Otis, married James Warren 
in 1754. She wrote a " History of the American Revolution," which is valu- 
able because of her personal acquaintance with many of the characters. 

Warren, Sir Peter (i 703-1 752), was commodore of the fleet which con- 
veyed Sir William Pepperrell's expedition against Louisbourg- in 1745. He 
was promoted rear-admiral for his service. 

Warrington, Lewis (1782-1851), entered the U. S. navy in 1800. He 
served with distinction on the "Vixen," of Preble's squadron, during the 
Tripolitan War. He served on the " Essex " and the " Congress " from 
1811 to 1813. He commanded the sloop "Peacock," and captured the 
" Eperviei " and fourteen merchantmen during 1814. He was chief of the 
Bureau of Ordnance from 1842 to 1851. 

Warwick, R. I., early known as Shawomet, was settled in 1643 by a 
party under Samuel Gorton, who purchased the land from Miantonomo. It 
was one of the four towns which, in 1644, united to form the colony of 
Rhode Island. In 1648 the name of Warwick was given the colony. It 
was attacked by the Indians during King Philip's War and the town 
destroyed by fire. 

\A^ashburn, Cadwallader Golden (1818-1882), was the brother of E. B. 
Washburne. He settled in Wisconsin as a lawyer and financier. From 1855 
to 1 861 he was Congressman from Wisconsin. He was a delegate to the Peace 
Conference of 1861. In the war he commanded a corps, was major-general 
of volunteers, and ser\'ed in the West. He was again a Republican Con- 
gressman 1 867-1 87 1, and Governor of Wisconsin 187 2-1 874. 

^Vashburn, Emory (1800-1877), was Governor of Massachusetts in 1853 
and 1854. He wrote a "Judicial History of Massachusetts, 1630 to 1675 " 
and " Treatise on the American Law of Real Property." 

Washburn, Israel (1813-1883), was admitted to the bar in 1834. He 
was a member of the Maine Legislature from 1842 to 1843. ^^ represented 
Maine in the U. S. Congress as a Whig from 1851 to 1861. He was Gov- 
ernor of Maine from 1861 to 1863, and Collector of Customs at Portland 
from 1863 to 1877. 

Washburn, \Villiam B. (1820-1887), represented Massachusetts in the 
U. S. Congress as a Republican from 1862 to 1872. He was Governor of 
Massachusetts from 1872 to 1874, and a U. S. Senator from 1874 to 1875. 

■Washburn, ■William D., born in 1831, was Surveyor-General of Minne- 
sota from 1 861 to 1865. He represented Minnesota in the U. S. Congress 
as a Republican from 1879 to 1885. He was elected to the U. S. Senate for 
the term ending in 1895. 

Washburne, Elihu Benjamin (1816-1887), was a lawyer in Illinois, Whig 
Congressman, and afterward Republican Congressman from 1853 to 1869. 
He was chairman of the Committee of Commerce and of the Impeachment 



694 Dictionary of United States History. 

Coiiiinittee of 1868. His long service and care of public expenditures 
earned for him the epithets of "father of the house" and "watch-dog of 
the Treasury." President Grant appointed him Secretary of State, but he 
held office for a few days only. From 1869 to 1877 Mr. Washburiie was U. S. 
Minister to France. He stayed in Paris through the siege of 1 870-1 871 
and the days of the Commune, and was by the Germans intrusted with the 
charge of German interests also. His memoirs are published under the title 
"Recollections of a Minister to France." 

Washington, Bushrod (1762-1829), jurist, a nephew of General Wash- 
ington, was a member of the Virginia Convention in 1788 that ratified the 
Federal Constitution. He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 
1798 to 1829. 

Washington, George (February 22, 1732-December 14, 1799), the first 
President of the United States, was born in Westmoreland County, Va. 
Some of the familiar anecdotes of his early life rest on the more than doubt- 
ful authority of Weems, one of his first chroniclers. At the age of sixteen 
he was compelled to leave school, and he became a surveyor. His appoint- 
ment as adjutant-general and major at the early age of nineteen was prepara- 
tory to his selection for the first striking public event of his life, his service 
as messenger from the Virginian to the French. Governor in 1753-1754- 
How he traversed the pathless forests of Western Pennsylvania is familiar; 
the following summer a battle at Great Meadows fought by his small force 
ushered in the long French and Indian War. Washington was obliged to 
surrender Fort Necessity. He resigned, but the next year served on Brad- 
dock's staff at the defeat of the Monongahela, and had a miraculous escape. 
Colonel Washington continued in the army until 1759, and had a part in the 
taking of Fort Duquesne in 1758. He married in 1759, and the same year 
entered the Virginia House of Burgesses. For several years he now led the 
life of a Virginia planter, at Mount Vernon. He was a delegate to the first 
and second Continental Congresses; by the latter body he was appointed 
commander-in-chief, June 17, 1775, and took command of the army under 
the historic elm at Cambridge, July 3. It was his task to put into the form 
of an organized force the raw and ill-equipped soldiers. His first enterprise 
succeeded; Boston was evacuated by the British, March 17, 1776, and the 
army was transferred to New York. After the Declaration of Independence, 
a disheartening series of reverses marked the half year: the battle of Brook- 
lyn, the withdrawal from New York, White Plains, the fall of Fort Wash- 
ington, and the melancholy retreat of the diminishing army across New 
Jersey. The morale of the troops and of the country was suddenly raised 
hy Washington's brilliant surprise of Trenton and victory of Princeton. In 
the autumn of 1777 his army, though defeated at Brandywine and German- 
town, kept a large British force occupied, and so contributed to the denoue- 
ment of the year, at Saratoga. Then came the gloomy winter at Valley 
Forge, and the cabal of Conway and Gates. The battle of Monmouth was 
won in the summer, but thereafter Washington's part was for some years in 
•other phases of the war than in battles, and active hostilities drifted away 
principally to the south. The treason of Arnold in 1780 was a severe blow. 
In the following summer Washington showed the qualities of a great general 




LADIES OF THE WHITE HOUSE. 



Mrs. JamfS K. Pnlk. Aneelicl V,in Burpn. Rose Eiizibeth Cleveland. Mrs. Maftin Van Buren. 

(ri.f«'ilfl,r-i,f-l,fa'W ,l/,;/(;»IVi» /,'...-.».) (.SV</.;,- .i/' r,V..ivT tl.nUiud.) 

Mrs. Grover Cleveland. 

Mrs. John AHams. Mrs. Jannes A. Garfield. Mrs. John Quincy Adams. 

Mrs. Benjamin Harrison. Martha Washington. Mary Ball Washington. Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. 

(Mitt/ieror George Wasliiiii/ttDt ) 
Harriet Lane Johnston. Martha Jefferson. Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant." Mrs. R. B. Hayes. Mrs. Andrew Johnson. 

l.Vr.iv o/./.rra« /.•»,-/;.i«.i.i.l ( ri,i«,,l,l,r ../' 7Vm,„o.s .lelTertit,,.) 

Mrs. Andrew Jackson. Mrs. James Madison. Mrs. Millard Fillmore. Mrs. John Tyler. 



Dictionary of United States History. 695 

by his secret and rapid march from the Hudson to Chesapeake Bay, a march 
which resulted in the fall of Yorktown. His significance in the war was largely 
moral; there was a widespread confidence in his thorough devotion to the 
cause. He replied severely to the Newburg address of 1782 (which had 
hinted at monarchy). After a letter to the State Governors he took leave 
of the army and officers, and, December 23, 1783, resigned to Congress at 
Annapolis his commission. Deeply impressed with the need of a more 
efficient government, he presided over the Federal Convention of 1787. He 
was the unanimous choice for President, and was inaugurated at New York 
Ajaril 30, 1789. Elected again without opposition, he served until 1797. 
Of his Cabinet, Jefferson was Secretary of State, Hamilton of the Treasury, 
Knox of War, and Randolph Attorney-General. Washington made tours to 
the North and South. In 1793 he issued a neutrality proclamation. His 
part in Jay's treaty of 1795 caused a temporary loss of his popularity. On 
Sejitember 19, 1796, he issued his Farewell Address. Perhaps his greatness 
was even better shown by his conduct as President than by his generalship. 
When war with France seemed imminent in 1798, he was appointed lieuten- 
ant-general, but he died soon after at Mount Vernon. He has been 
universally deemed the greatest of Americans, and one of the noblest public 
characters of all time. His writings and life were edited by Sparks, twelve 
volumes, and more recently by Ford. Of other biographies there are: by 
Marshall, five volumes; Irving, five volumes; Everett, Hale, H. C. Lodge. 

Washington, Martha (1732-1802), born Martha Dandridge, of Virginia, 
married Daniel Parke Custis in 1749, by whom she had four children. She 
inherited his vast estates and was one of the wealthiest women in Virginia. 
In 1759 she married George Washington. She was a competent housekeeper 
and her wealth enabled them to entertain in magnificent style. She fully 
sympathized with Washington's patriotic feelings and suffered many priva- 
tions for the cause of independence. 

Washington, Mary Ball (1707-1789), mother of General George Wash- 
ington, was the second wife of Augustine Washington, whom she married 
in 1730. George was her oldest son. Left a widow in 1743, she managed 
her affairs with prudence and discretion, and brought up her six children 
well. She was an excellent mother to Washington, and was regarded by him 
with great veneration and affection. She lived many years at Fredericks- 
burg, Va., in great simplicity, and died during the first year of her son's 
presidency. 

Washington, William Augustine (1752-1810), distinguished himself at 
Long Island, Trenton and Princeton. In 1778 he was lieutenant in Colonel 
Ba3dor's dragoons. In 1779 he joined the army of General Lincoln in the 
South. He defeated Colonel Tarleton at Rantowles. He captured the post 
at Rudgely's in 1780. He commanded a light corps at Cowpens, Guilford 
Court House, Hobkirk's Hill and Eutaw Springs. He was a relative of 
General Washington. 

Washington was formed from the Oregon countr)', which was claimed by 
England and the United States, and was recognized as belonging to the latter 
by the treaty of 1846. It was organized as a territory by an Act of Congress 



696 Dictionary of United States History. 

of March 2, 1853. Washington became a State, November 11, 1889. The 
State is usually Republican, but in 1884 and 1886 the Democrats carried the 
State. The population of the State in 1890 was 349,330. History by Bancroft. 

Washington, D. C, capital of the United States, was selected as the seat 
of the Government in 1790. In 1800 it became the capital. In 1814 it 
was captured by the British troops and the Capitol and other public buildings 
burned. In 1871 Congress abolished the charter of the city and instituted a 
form of territorial government which resulted in a great number of improve- 
ments for the city. In 1874 the territorial government was in turn abolished 
and the city's affairs placed in the hands of three commissioners. (See art. 
District of Columbia.) 

Washington, Fort, Battle of, November 16, 1776. The retreat of the 
Continental army had made Fort Washington untenable. Greene had orders 
to withdraw men and stores, but Congress interfered. He accordingly 
increased the garrison. Howe soon appeared before the fort but gained it 
only after a severe struggle, which cost him 500 men. One hundred and 
fifty Americans fell, 3000 were made prisoners, and great stores of artillery 
and small arms fell to the enemy. 

Washington, Treaty of, ratified in 1871 and proclaimed in force, July 4, 
of that year, after thirty-four meetings of commissioners, representing Eng- 
land and the United States, and assembled at Washington. It provided for 
arbitration as to the Alabama Claims; as to claims of British subjects against 
the United States; as to fisheries, and as to the settlement of the Northwest 
boundary question. The arbitrators upon the Alabama Claims were to be 
five in number and were to be appointed by the President of the United 
States, the Queen of England, the King of Italy, the President of the Swiss 
Confederation, and the Emperor of Brazil. Their sessions were to be held at 
Geneva. 

Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Pa., Presbyterian, was 
formed in 1865 by the union of Jefferson College, chartered 1802, and Wash- 
ington College, chartered 1806. 

Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va. An academy founded 
about 1773, and called Liberty Hall, was chartered in 1782, and named in 
1796 Washington College in honor of a gift received from George Washing- 
ton. In 1870 at the death of General R. E. Lee, its president, the name was 
changed to its present form. A law school was founded in 1867. 

Washington College, Chestertown, Md., was founded in 1782. 

Washington Elm, a tree at Cambridge, Mass., beneath which General 
Washington took command of the Continental army, July 3, i775- The 
army then numbered 15,000 men fit for duty. The Washington Elm still 
stands. 

" Washington Gazette," the earliest news publication of the District of 
Columbia. The paper was established at Washington by Benjamin Moore, 
January 11, 1796. It was published semi-weekly, but has been discon- 
tinued. 



Dictionary of United States History. 697 

Washington Monument, at Washington, D. C, an obelisk 555 feet high, 
was begun in 1848 by the Washington National Monument Society, and fin- 
ished in 1884 by the U. S. Government. 

"■Wasp," sloop-of-war, eighteen guns. Captain Jones, left the Delaware 
October 13, 1812, for the West Indies. Five days later it attacked the 
" Frolic," twenty guns, convoying a fleet of merchantmen. The " Frolic" 
was soon disabled, boarded and captured, losing ninety of its 108 men. 
Within two hours after the capture the " Wasp " and its prize were captured 
by the British frigate the " Poictiers," seventy-four guns, and the Ameri- 
cans taken to Bermuda as prisoners. 

" W^asp " (No. 2), eighteen guns. Captain Blakeley. In the British 
Channel he harassed British merchant-ships, and on June 28, 181 4, fought 
with the " Reindeer." Both vessels were badly damaged, but finally the 
" Reindeer " was boarded and captured, losing twenty-five killed and forty- 
two wounded. The Americans lost twenty-seven in all. On September i 
it conquered the " Avon," eighteen guns, but was driven off by the arrival 
of several warships. September 21, near the Azores, it captured and sent 
home a valuable prize, the " Atlanta." On October 9 the "Wasp" was 
spoken by a Swedish bark, but was never heard of afterward. 

Watauga Association, an organization formed in 1769 for the settlement 
of that territory now comprised in the State of Tennessee. The colonies 
thus established continued to be known as the settlements of the Watauga 
Association until 1777. 

Waterbury, David (1722-1801), served in the French and Indian War. 
In 1776 he was second in command at Valcour Bay and was defeated. He 
commanded a brigade under Washington from 1781 to 1783. 

Waterman, Robert W., born in 1826, was prominent in the political cam- 
paign in Illinois in 1S56 and 1858. He was lyieutenant-Governor of Cali- 
fornia from 1886 to 1887, when he became Governor and served till 1891. 

Watertown, Mass., was settled in 1630 by colonists under Sir Richard 
Saltonstall. In 1631 the townspeople declined to pay a tax of ;^6o levied 
by the " assistants," thus protesting against their autocratic rule, which 
bore fruit in the establishment of a more popular governmental plan in 1632. 
In 1775 the Provincial Congress met at Watertown. 

Watson, Elkanah (i 758-1 842), was a zealous promoter of internal im- 
provements, and conceived the project of the canals of New York. He 
founded the first agricultural society in New York. 

Watson, James C. (1838 1880), was professor of astronomy at the Uni- 
versity of Wisconsin from 1859 to 1869. His discoveries in astronomy have 
been numerous, and he has made valuable contributions to the science. 

Watson, Fort, Capture of, April 23, 1781. This post commanded the 
road between Camden and Charleston, S. C. It was captured by Marion's 
men who erected a tower of pine logs so as to command the fort. As the 
fort had no artillery it was soon forced to surrender. 



69S Dictionary of United States History. 

Watterson, Henry, born in 1840, was a staff officer in the Confederate 
service from 1861 to 1863 and chief of sconts in General Johnston's army in 
1864. He has edited the Louisville Courier-Journal s\\\c& 1868. He repre- 
sented Kentucky in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1876 to 1877. 
He is an aggressive advocate of free-trade and revenue reform. He wrote 
" Oddities of Southern Life and Character." 

Waxhaw, Battle of, May 29, 1780. After the capture of Charleston, S. C, 
detachments of British troops set out to seize strategic points in the interior. 
One of these, 700 cavalry under Tarleton, pursued a Virginian regiment 
under Colonel Buford and overtook it at Waxhaw, S. C. Buford and 100 
infantry saved themselves by flight. Though the rest sued for quarter, 113 
of them were killed on the spot and 150 more were too badly hacked to be 
moved. Only 53 were taken prisoners. 

Wayland, Francis (1796-1865), was pastor of the First Baptist Church, 
Boston, from 1S21 to 1826. He was president of Brown University from 
1827 to 1855. He was celebrated as an instructor, preacher and author. 
He possessed a strong personality which was stimulating to his pupils. He 
wrote " Elements of Moral Science," " Elements of Political Economy," 
" The Limitations of Human Responsibility," and " Slavery and Reli- 
gion." 

Wayne, Anthony (1745-1796), a noted general of the Revolution, was a 
native of Pennsylvania. A surveyor in early life, he became a member of 
the Legislature and Committee of Public Safety, and commanded a regiment 
in the Canadian invasion of 177 5-1 776. Later he had charge of the Ticon- 
deroga forts. Being appointed brigadier-general he was in charge of a divi- 
sion at Brandywine and conducted a successful retreat. He was surprised at 
Paoli, commanded the right wing at Germantown, and was distinguished at 
Monmouth. His famous exploit was the storm of Stony Point, July 15, 
1779. General Wayne suppressed the mutiny of the troops at Morristown, 
in January, 17S1, had an honorable part in Virginia the same year and in 
Geoigia in 1782. He was a member of the Pennsylvania ratifying conven- 
tion of 17S7. When the Indian affairs required a decisive policy, "Mad 
Anthony" was made major-general, and inflicted an overwhelming blow 
at the battle of Fallen Timbers, 1794, which led to an Indian treaty the 
following year. Life by Stills. 

Wayne, James M. (i 790-1867), was Judge of the Georgia Supreme Court 
from 1824 to 1829. He represented Georgia in the U. S. Congress as a 
Democrat from 1829 to 1835. He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court 
from 1835 to 1867. 

Waynesboro, Va., scene of a victory in March, 1865, for 10,000 Federals 
under Sheridan, then commanding in the Shenandoah Valley, over Early 
who was intrenched at Waynesboro with 2500 Confederates. Early was 
completely routed, losing 1600 men, eleven guns, seventeen flags and 200 
loaded wagons. 

W^ays and Means, a standing committee first created in the House of 
Representatives in 1795 (December 21). It has charge of the methods and 



Dictionary of United States History. 699 

provisions for collecting the government revenues, including the tariff system, 
internal taxation, financial measures and the public debt. 

Weather Bureau, first suggested in 1817 by Josiah Meigs, then Commis- 
sioner of the Land Office, who established a system of meteorological registers 
in connection with the office. In 181 9 a co-operative movement was begun 
by Surgeon-General Lovell, of the Army, who had weather reports made 
each month by the officers of different military posts. Some twenty years 
later the lake system of meteorological observations was established by the 
Engineer Department. In 1836 predictions of meteorological phenomena 
began to be made by the Smithsonian Institution, and the results of these, 
together with those of the Land Office and War Department, being published 
in 1839, formed the basis for a scientific meteorological bureau. In 1869 the 
"Weather Bulletin of the Cincinnati Bureau" appeared. In 1870 Congress 
made a money appropriation for the establishment of a Weather Bureau at 
Washington and ordered arrangements to be made for telegraphic communi- 
cations between posts of observation all over the countr}'. Until 1891 the 
Bureau was a bureau of the War Department; in that year it was transferred 
to the Department of Agriculture. 

Weathersford, William (i770?-i824), Indian chief, led the Creeks against 
the U. S. forces during the War of 1812. In 1814 he voluntarily surrendered 
to General Jackson. 

Weaver, James B., born in 1S33, attained the rank of brigadier-general 
during the Civil War. He was a district attorney of Iowa in 1866. He 
became an editor of the lozva Tribune. He was elected to Congress from 
Iowa as a Nationalist in 1879. In 1880 he was the candidate of the 
National party for the Presidency. He was again elected to Congress in 
1884 and 1886. In 1892 he was the Presidential candidate of the People's 
party. 

Webb, Alexander S., born in 1S35, fought at Bull Run and commanded 
a brigade at Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. He was chief 
of staff at Petersburg. He wrote " McClellan's Campaign of 1862." 

Webb, James W. (1802-1884), edited the New York Coiiricr and Enqziirer 
from 1829 to 1861, which was the chief organ of the Whig party. He was 
Minister to Brazil from 1861 to 1869. 

Webster, Daniel (January 18, 1782-October 24, 1852), a distinguished 
American orator and statesman, was born at Salisbury, N. H., was educated 
at Phillips (Exeter) Academy and at Dartmouth, where he was graduated in 
1 801. He taught school at Fryeburg, in Maine, studied law, was admitted 
to the bar in 1805, and began the practice of law in Boscawen, N. H. In 
1807 he removed to Portsmouth. He was soon a leader of the bar, and 
from 1813 to 1817 was Congressman. In views he was then a moderate Fed- 
eralist. He now settled in Boston, and in 181 8 rose to the front rank of 
lawyers by his plea before the U. S. Supreme Court in the famous " Dart- 
mouth College case," which involved the obligation of contracts and the 
powers of the Government. From 1823 to 1827 he was Congressman from 
Massachusetts, was chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and had attracted 



yoo Dictionary of United States History. 

attention by his speeches on Greece and on free trade. He had become widely 
known as an orator. Among his great speeches were : at Plymouth, 1820, 
on the bi-centennial; at the laying of the corner-stone of Bunker Hill 
Monument, 1825; the eulogy on Adams and Jefferson, 1826. In 1827 Webster 
entered the U. S. Senate, and ranked chief among the orators, of the 
" giants " in Congress ; Clay, Calhoun, Benton, to mention no others, were 
his contemporaries. He favored the protective tariff of 1828. Two years 
later he reached his highest point, in the debate on the " Foote resolution," 
where his reply to Hayne won for him the title of " Expounder of the Con- 
stitution." Webster opposed Nullification, was often pitted against Calhoun, 
took an active part in the Bank controversy, and was, with Clay, highest in 
the Whig party. He came within reach of the nomination for President. 
In 1836 he received the electoral vote of Massachusetts. President Harri- 
son chose him for Secretary of State in 1841, and he — alone of the members 
of Tyler's Cabinet — refused to resign in September, 1841. He negotiated 
the Ashburton Treaty with Great Britain in 1842, and resigned in 1843. In 
1845 he re-entered the Senate. He spoke on the Oregon question, gave a lame 
support to Taylor in 1848, and in 1850 in the Compromise excitement he 
alienated many former friends by his famous " seventh of March speech." 
He was again Secretary of State in 1 850-1 852. He received a few votes in 
the Convention of 1852, refused to support Scott, and died soon after at his 
home in Marshfield, Mass. Works and life in six volumes, edited by 
Everett. Life by G. T. Curtis and by H. C. Lodge. 

Webster, Joseph D. (1811-1876), served during the Mexican War. He 
was chief of staff to General Grant in 1 862 and during the Vicksburg cam- 
paign and to General Sherman from 1864 to 1865. 

Webster, Noah (1758-1843), born in Connecticut, first came to promi- 
nence by the publication of a spelling book, of which 62,000,000 copies have 
been issued. In 1784 he published "Sketches of American Policy," which 
had influence upon the movement toward a national constitution. In 1787 
he published " The Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution." In 
1795 he wrote articles signed " Curtius," which were influential in behalf of 
the Jay treaty. In 1828 his first "Dictionary of the English Language" 
was published. He served in the legislatures of Connecticut and Massa- 
chusetts. Life by Scudder. 

Webster, Pelatiah (i 725-1 795), was an ardent patriot during the Revolu- 
tion. He was well versed in politics and finance. He wrote " Essays on 
Free Trade and Finance " and " The Union and Constitution of the Thirteen 
United States." 

Wedderburn, Alexander (1733-1805), Attorney-General of England, was 
one of the greatest foes of the colonists in the Cabinet of Lord North and 
violently opposed their claims and advocated unlimited subjection. 

Weed, Thurlow (1797-1882), one of the most influential journalists and 
politicians that the country has ever produced. He was early employed 
in a printing establishment and as a country journalist. He became con- 
nected with the Rochester Telegraph and with the Anti-Masonic E7iquirer. 
In 1825 h^ ^^s in the New York Legislature, but afterward avoided oflBce. 



Dictionary of United States History. 701 

Already influential in State and national politics, Weed, in 1830, founded 
the Albany Evening Journal^ which he conducted until 1856 as a Whig, and 
later as a Republican organ. His influence was felt in nearly every nomi- 
nation of the Whigs and Republicans from 1836 to 1876. For years he 
was a political partner of Seward, whom he favored for President in i860. 
During the Civil War he was in Europe acting as an agent in behalf of the 
Union cause. Life by Barnes. 

^A^eems, Mason L. (1760-1825), a wandering Virginian parson, wrote 
lives of Washington, Francis Marion, Benjamin Franklin and William Penn. 
They are unreliable. With him originated many anecdotes about Washing- 
ton, including the story of the cherry-tree. 

Weights and Measures, International Bureau of. To secure interna- 
tional uniformity and precision in standards of weight and measure an inter- 
national bureau was established at Paris by a convention concluded May 20, 
1875, between the United States, Gennany, Austro-Hungary, Belgium, 
Brazil, the Argentine Confederation, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Peru, 
Portugal, Russia, Sweden and Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and Venezuela. 

Weitzel, Godfrey (1835-1884), planned the capture of New Orleans in 
1862. He commanded a division at Port Hudson and in the Lafourche 
campaign. He superintended the construction of defenses at Bermuda 
Hundred, James River and Deep Bottom. He commanded a corps at Fort 
Harrison in 1864, and was second in command at Fort Fisher. He com- 
manded all the forces north of the Potomac after March, T865. 

Weldon Road, Va. General Grant, during his memorable operations 
about Richmond and Petersburg, attempted to capture this road from the 
Confederates under Lee, June 22 and 23, 1864. Hancock's and Wright's 
corps were detailed to eflect this capture. A gap occurred between the two 
corps during the necessary movements, and into this the Confederate Hill 
threw a strong column. Both corps were stnick upon the flank and thrown 
into confusion. The attack was finally repelled. On the twenty-third, 
Wright again made the attempt to seize the road and cut the telegraph 
wires. Hill drove him off, inflicting severe loss upon his troops. Grant lost 
4000 men in these ineffectual attempts. Again, August 18, 1864, during the 
campaign about Petersburg, Grant seized the opportunity, while the main 
body of Lee's army was massed toward Richmond, of attacking the Weldon 
Railroad. Warren moved with the eighteenth and fifth corps and struck the 
road four miles from Petersburg. A gap occurring between the two corps, 
Lee thrust Mahone's division into the opening and captured 2000 prisoners, 
but was eventually driven back to his lines. Warren spent the next day in 
fortifying himself, and Lee, having attempted to dislodge him, was severely 
defeated. On the twenty-fifth, Gregg's cavalry were defeated while destroy- 
ing the road. 

Welles, Gideon (1802-1878), was from 1826 to 1854 an editor of the 
Hartford Thjies which became the chief organ of the Democratic party in 
Connecticut. He was a member of the Connecticut Legislature from 1827 
to 1835, and State Comptroller in 1835, 1842 and 1843. He was an ardent 



702 Dictionary of United States History. 

opponent of slavery, and identified himself with the Republican party when 
it was organized. He was Secretary of the Navy in the Cabinets of Lincoln 
and Johnson from 1861 to 1869. He was an unsparing critic of official 
conduct. He wrote " Lincoln and Seward." 

■Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass., founded by Henry F. Durant, for the 
higher education of women, was chartered in 1870, but first opened five 
years later. 

Welling, James C, born in 1825, '^^^ ^^ editor of the National Intelli- 
gencer from 1850 to 1865. This journal exerted great influence during the 
war. He became president of Columbian University in 1871. Died 1894. 

Wells, David A., bom in 1828, suggested the idea of folding newspapers 
and books by machinery. In 1864 he published " Our Burden and Our 
Strength," a political essay of great originality. He served on several U. S. 
commissions of revenue. He has written many pamphlets on economic sub- 
jects and " Our Merchant Marine," " A Primer of TariS" Reform " and "The 
Relation of the Tariff to Wages," and "Recent Economic Changes." 

Wells College, Aurora, N. Y., for girls, was chartered in 1867. 

Welsh. The Welsh early began to settle in Pennsylvania and seem to 
have been a valuable addition to the population. By 1765 several flourish- 
ing Welsh colonies had been established. 

Welsh Barony, a tract of 40,000 acres granted by William Penn to a 
Welsh colony. The colonists were granted the right of local self-govern- 
ment. The Barony was conducted after the methods of the English 
manor. 

Wentworth, Benning (1696-1770), was Governor of New Hampshire 
from 1 741 to 1767. His grants of land in what is now southern Vermont, 
which was claimed by New York, are known in history as the " New Hamp- 
shire Grants." 

Wentv^orth, Sir John (1737-1820), went to England as an agent of the 
New Hampshire colony in 1765 and was appointed Governor, serving till 
1775. He was an able Governor and did much to increase the importance 
and prosperity of the colony. He became unpopular by complying with a 
request for aid by the British in Boston and went to England in 1775. He 
was Governor of Nova Scotia from 1792 to 1808. 

Wentworth, John (1815-1888), was, from 1837 to 1861, editor and pro- 
prietor of the Chicago Democrat^ which was the chief daily paper of the 
Northwest. He represented Illinois in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat 
from 1843 to 1 85 1, and from 1853 to 1855. He was one of the founders of 
the Republican party and served as a Republican in the U. S. Congress from 
1865 to 1867. 

Wesley, Charles (i 708-1 788), was one of the founders of the society 
which was the beginning of Arminian Methodism. He wrote 7000 hymns, 
some of great merit, many of which are now in use. From 1735 to 1736 
he was in Georgia, secretary to Governor Oglethorpe. 



Dictionary of United States History. 703 

Wesley, John (1703-1791), of England, was the founder of the society 
called in derision the "Methodists," because of their methodical habits. 
From 1735 to 1738 he labored in Georgia. He formed a Methodist society 
in London. In 1769 some of his followers introduced Methodism in America. 

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., was chartered in 1831. It was 
founded by the Methodists, especially Wilbur Fisk. 

West, Benjamin (1738-1820), bom in Pennsylvania, went to Italy in 1760 
and settled in England in 1763. He was one of the most famous painters 
of the day. He was one of the founders of the Royal Academy and was its 
president from 1792 to 1802 and from 1803 to 1815. He painted many 
famous religious pieces and " The Death of Wolfe " and " The Treaty of 
Penn." 

West, Lionel Sackville Sackville-, born in 1827, was British Minister to 
the United States from 1881 to 1888, when he was recalled for publishing a 
letter giving advice in regard to voting in the United States. In 1888 he 
became Lord Sackville. (See Murcheson Letter.) 

West India Company, Dutch, or Chartered West India Company (Geoc- 
troyeerde Westindische Compagnie). This company was chartered by the 
States-General of the United Netherlands in 1 621, at the instance of Willem 
Usselinx. It was given a monopoly of trade with America for twenty-four 
years, with the right to colonize and to make wars and alliances. It colo- 
nized and governed New Netherland (till 1664) and also certain West India 
islands and a part of Brazil. It was rechartered for twenty-five years in 
1647. I*^ preoccupation with militar}' efforts in Brazil prevented its doing 
much for New Netherland. (For the Swedish company of similar name see 
Swedish West India Company.) 

^Vest Jersey. (See New Jersey.) 

West Point, N. Y., the chief of the Continental fortifications in the Hud- 
son River Valley during the Revolution. In August, 1780, Benedict 
Arnold, already contemplating treason, obtained command of the post from 
Washington, and immediately entered into communication with Clinton, the 
British general. Major Andre was sent to arrange with Arnold for the 
surprise and surrender of the post. He was captured by three " Skinners," 
Continental marauders, while returning to New York after his interview with 
Arnold, having settled upon September 25 as the night for the surprise. 
When Arnold heard of his capture he immediately fled to the " Vulture," a 
British warship lying in the river, and Washington was quickly infonned 
of his treason. — The Military Academy of the United States was established 
here in 1802. (See art. Military Academy.) 

West Point, Va. Here, May 7, 1862, several strong detachments of Fed- 
erals were landed from gunboats, and, under the command of Franklin and 
vSedgewick, attacked some Confederates led by Whiting and Wade Hampton. 
These latter, charging on the Federals from the w^oods, easily routed them, 
but were themselves compelled to retreat before the firing from the vessels. 
The losses were trifling on both sides. 



704 Dictionary of United States History. 

West Virginia. The western and northwestern parts of Virginia refused 
to be bound by the ordinance of secession of April 17, 186 1. A convention 
was called at Wheeling in May, 1861, which summoned a State convention. 
This convention refused to recognize the State officers who were in opposi- 
tion to the National Government, elected Frank Pierpont Governor of Vir- 
ginia, and called a State Legislature to meet at Wheeling. The convention 
voted to erect a new State to be called Kanawha, and the State Legislature, 
which had been called by this convention and which claimed to be the Leg- 
islature of the State of Virginia, gave its consent to the division of the 
State. West Virginia became a State of the Union June 19, 1863. An 
amendment to the State constitution of date 1866 disfranchised all per- 
sons who had aided the Rebellion. Until 1870 the State was controlled by 
the Republicans. The "Flick Amendment," 1871, extended the suffrage to 
negroes and removed the disfranchising clause of 1866. In 1872 Grant car- 
ried the State by a small majority, since which time the State has been 
steadily Democratic. The population of West Virginia in 1870 was 442,- 
014; in 1890 it was 762,794. 

Western Company. (See Compagnie de I'Occident.) 

\A^estern Reserve, or Connecticut ^A^estern Reserve. When Connec- 
ticut, in 1786, ceded her western lands to the United States, she reserved a 
large tract adjoining Pennsylvania, now forming the northeastern comer 
of Ohio. Hence this name. Complete cession of jurisdiction was made in 
1800. 

■Westminster, Treaty of, negotiated in 1674, concluding a war between 
England and the Netherlands, is memorable in America from the fact that 
New Netherland, which had been taken from England by the Dutch, was 
restored under its provisions. 

Weston, Thomas (i 575-1 624), formed a joint stock company for fitting 
out the expedition of the Pilgrims to America in 1620, but soon afterward 
withdrew from it as unprofitable. He organized a company of his own and 
sent an advance party in 1622 which founded a settlement at Wessagussett 
under a grant by the king to Sir Ferdinando Gorges. The settlers were 
improvident and soon returned to England. 

Westover, a Virginia parish formed in 1720 of land along both sides of 
the James River, beginning at the Chickahominy. The famous old West- 
over mansion, still in existence, was the home of Colonel William Byrd. 

Wethersfield, Conn., first settled in 1634, was one of the earliest settle- 
ments in the State, and one of the three towns which united in 1639 in 
framing the " Fundamental Orders " of the colony. 

Whale-fishery began in the New England colonies as early as 1690, 
where it was prosecuted during nearly fifty years in small boats, since the 
whale frequented the northern coast during that period. In 1740 the Arctic 
and Antarctic coasts began to be explored in search of whales. In 1758 
Massachusetts alone employed 304 vessels in the whale-fishery. The right 
whale was at first the object of capture, but after 181 2 sperm-whales became 
equally desirable. In 181 5 there were only 164 ships engaged in it. In 1830 



Dictionary of United States History. 705 

the products of the fishery were 106,800 barrels of sperm, 115,000 barrels of 
whale oil, 120,000 pounds of whalebone, and 2,500,000 pounds of sperm 
candles. Since 1840 the whale-fishery has decreased, chiefly because of the 
scarcity of whale. 

Whalley, Edward (1620-1676), regicide, joined the Parliamentary party 
in 1642. He led the horse at Bristol, Banbur\', Worcester and elsewhere, 
and was entrusted with the custody of the king at Hampton Court. He sat 
in the high court of justice that condemned King Charles and signed the 
death warrant. He was a member of Cromwell's second and third Parlia- 
ments and the House of Lords. He fled to America with Goffe (q. v.) in 
1660. (See Regicides.) 

Wharton, Francis (1820-1889), was professor of international law at 
Boston University from 1866 to 1885, and from 1885 to 1889 was examiner 
of claims in the Department of State. He wrote " The State Trials of the 
United States during the Administrations of Washington and Adams," and 
" Digest of International Law," and edited " The Revolutionar)' Diplomatic 
Correspondence of the United States." 

Wharton, Thomas (1735-1778), was a zealous opponent of the oppressive 
measures of England toward the colonies. He was chosen a member of the 
Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence in 1774. He became one of the 
Committee of Safety in 1775, and in 1776 became president of the Council 
of Safety, in which the executive authority temporarily resided. He was 
president of Pennsylvania from 1777 to 1778. 

Wheatley, Phillis (i 753-1 784), was brought from Africa to America in 
1 761, and purchased in the slave market by John Wheatley. She showed re- 
markable ability, and learned easily. She acquired prominence by her poems. 

Wheaton, Frank, born in 1833, of Rhode Island, commanded a brigade 
at Antietam, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. He led a 
division at Cedar Creek and Petersburg, and is now (1894) a brigadier-general 
in the U. S. army. 

Wheaton, Henry (i 785-1848), of Rhode Island, edited the New York 
National Advocate from 181 2 to 181 5, in which the question of neutral rights 
was ably discussed during the war. From 1816 to 1827 he was reporter for 
the U. S. Supreme Court. His reports are exceedingly valuable, containing 
carefully prepared notes and citation of authorities on all difficult points. 
He was Chargd d'Affaires in Denmark from 1827 to 1835, Minister Resident 
to Prussia from 1835 to 1837, and Minister Plenipotentiary from 1837 to 
1846. He wrote "Elements of International Law" which is acknowledged 
a standard authority, a " History of the Law of Nations," and a " History 
of the Northmen." 

Wheaton's Reports, twelve volumes of law reports by Henr>' Wheaton, 
containing cases from the U. S. Supreme Courts from 1816 to 1827, with 
appendices containing discussions of the " Principles and Practice of Prize 
Courts," many of them written by Judge Story. 

Wheeler, Joseph, born in 1836, entered the Confederate service and com- 
manded a brigade at Shiloh. He commanded General Bragg's cavalry at 

45 



7o6 Dictionary of United States History. 

Green River and Perryville. He led the cavalry at Murfreesboro and at 
Chickamauga. In a raid in 1863 in Tennessee he destroyed national stores 
valued at $3,000,000. He engaged at Knoxville, Missionary Ridge and 
Lookout Mountain. He harassed General Sherman in his march to Atlanta, 
and fought at Atlanta and Aiken. He was elected to Congress from Alabama 
as a Democrat in 1880 and has served continuously since 1885. 

Wheeler, William A. (1819-1887), was a U. S. District Attorney in New 
York from 1845 to 1849. He represented New York in the U. S. Congress 
as a Republican from 1861 to 1863 and from 1867 to 1877. ^e was author 
of the compromise in settlement of the political disturbances in Louisiana 
in 1876. He was elected Vice-President of the United States in 1877 on the 
ticket with President Hayes and served till 1881. 

Wheeling Bridge Case, a case of original jurisdiction in the Supreme 
Court of the United States in 1855. The Wheeling and Belmont Bridge 
Company prepared to rebuild a bridge over the Ohio River, according to 
the plan of the original bridge, which an Act of Congress had declared not 
obstructive to commerce. The State of Pennsylvania declared it to be 
obstructive to commerce and applied to Justice Grier for an injunction to 
prevent its erection. This was granted, but the bridge was erected in 
defiance thereof. A majority of the Supreme Court refused to pass judg- 
ment against the Bridge Company for contempt, though acknowledging the 
right of Grier to issue the injunction. Judgment was given for the defend- 
ant on the ground that it was within the jurisdiction of Congress to deter- 
mine what was and what was not an obstruction to commerce. 

Wheelock, Eleazar (1711-1779), established an Indian missionary school 
at Lebanon, Conn., in 1754, which was removed to Dresden (now Hanover) 
N. H., in 1770, and became Dartmouth College. 

Wheelock, John (1754-1817), was a lieutenant-colonel in the Continental 
army. He became president of Dartmouth College in 1779, succeeding his 
father. His quarrel with the trustees, culminating in 1815, led to the cele- 
brated " Dartmouth College case." 

Wheelwright, John (1592-1679), came from England as a Puritan to the 
United States in 1636. He was banished from Massachusetts in 1637 for 
sympathizing with Anne Hutchinson, and founded Exeter, N. H., in 1638. 

Whigs. The name of Whigs was taken by the party in the colonies which 
furthered the Revolution, because their principles were but the application 
to America of those principles which the Whigs of England had advocated, 
and had secured through the Revolution of 1688. In 1834 the name was re- 
vived. The Federal party had virtually come to an end about 181 7. Hence- 
forth all American politicians were simply Republicans. But, as will 
usually happen in such cases, a divergence of views developed itself within 
the party. Adams and Clay and their followers, on the one hand, advocated 
a policy of protection and federal internal improvements and a broad or loose 
construction of the Constitution. Others, on the other hand, construing the 
Constitution strictly, opposed these things; these found a leader in Jackson. 
The former took the name of " National Republicans." Adams was their 



Dictionary of Unitkd States Histokv. 707 

candidate in 1828. After his defeat their chief leader was Clay, whom they 
nominated for President in 1831. Their opposition to Jackson drew to them 
various elements and, as opponents of executive usurpation, the coalition 
took the old name of Whigs (1834). The Whig body always formed rather 
a coalition than a party. They were united in opposition to Jackson, but 
the Northern Whigs favored the U. S. Bank, a protective tariff, etc., while 
the Southern Whigs were strict constnictionists. In the election of 1836 
these various elements supported various candidates. In that of 1840 they 
united upon the " available " Harrison, and triumphantly elected him and 
Tyler in a campaign of unthinking enthusiasm. Harrison died, and the 
Whigs quarreled violently with Tyler. In 1844 they nominated their real 
leader, Clay, who narrowly missed election. The annexation of Texas and 
the Mexican War and the Wilmot proviso now brought slavery to the front 
as the leading issue of politics. This was fatal to the Whigs, for it was 
sure to divide the Northern and the Southern Whigs. In 1848 they pre- 
served themselves temporarily by passing over Clay and Webster and nomi- 
nating a military candidate, Taylor. He was elected. But when similar 
tactics were tried in 1852 (with Scott), the party was decisively defeated. It 
was disintegrating because of its inaljility to maintain any opinion on sla- 
very'. The Northern Whigs became Free-soilers, and by 1856, Republicans; 
the Southern, Democrats. Many Whigs went temporarily into the American 
party. A small portion of them fonned the Constitutional Union Party^ 
which nominated Bell and Everett in i860. Parties became sectional, and 
the Whig party ceased to exist. Its chief leaders were, beside those men- 
tioned, in the North, Winthrop, Choate, Seward, Weed and Greeley; in the 
South, Mangum, Berrien, Forsyth, Stephens, Toombs, Prentiss and Critten- 
den; in the West, McLean, Giddings, Ewing and Corwin. 

Whipple, Abraham (i 733-1819), of Rhode Island, commanded the pri- 
vateer " Gamecock " during the French War from 1759 to 1760. He headed 
the expedition which burned the "Gaspe" in Narragansett Bay in 1772. 
In 1775 he was placed in command of two Rhode Island vessels and fought 
one of the first naval engagements of the Revolution. In 1 776 he commanded 
the " Providence," which captured more prizes than any other American vessel. 

Whipple, Edwin P. (1819-1886), was a frequent contributor to periodi- 
cals. He was famous as a lecturer, and his portraitures of eminent men were 
keen and critical. He was superintendent of the Merchants' Exchange in 
Boston from 1837 to i860. He wrote "Recollections of Rufus Choate," 
" Character and Characteristic Men," " Washington and the Principles of 
the Revolution," and " Outlooks on Society, Literature and Politics." 

Whipple, Henry B., born in 1822, became Episcopal Bishop of Minne- 
sota in 1859. He has attained great influence with the Indians of the North- 
west and is often consulted by Government authorities concerning the 
" Indian problem." 

AA/hipple, \ViIliam (1730-1785), was a delegate from New Plampshire to 
the Continental Congress in 1775, 1776 and 1778, and signed the Declaration 
of Independence. In 1777 he commanded a brigade at Saratoga and Still- 
water, and he participated in General Sullivan's Rhode Island campaign in 



7o8 Dictionary of United States History. 

1778. He was a member of the State Assembly from 1780 to 17S4, and 
Judge of its Supreme Court from 1782 to 1785. 

Whisky Insurrection, a revolt against the execution of a Federal excise 
law, which came to a head in western Pennsylvania in August, 1794, and 
was suppressed the same year. Scarcity of cash in the wild districts of 
North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania, had made distillation the 
chief means of support among the mountaineers, whisky being used as a 
medium of exchange. The excise law was passed March 3, 1791. During 
the next three years there were constant protests and insurrectionary mass 
meetings headed by one Bradford. William Findley, John Smilie and 
Albert Gallatin were the quieter leaders. Revenue officers were tarred and 
feathered by Bradford and his followers, and there was a general state of 
lawless opposition despite the efforts of Findley and Gallatin. In October, 
1794, 15,000 militia were ordered out by President Washington, and under 
General Henry Lee marched into western Pennsylvania, and the revolt was 
promptly suppressed. Bradford fled the country, but a number of the ring- 
leaders were arrested and imprisoned. The affair was important as exhi- 
biting the power of the new Federal Government. 

Whisky Ring, the name applied to an association of revenue officers and 
distillers, formed in St. Louis in 1872 to defraud the Government of the 
internal revenue tax on distilled liquors. By 1874 it had spread into 
national proportions. Distillers were often forced to enter the ring or expect 
ruin in their business. There were branches of the ring at Chicago, Mil- 
waukee, Peoria, Cincinnati and New Orleans, and an agent at Washington 
to corrupt the Treasury agents. In 1874 about $1,200,000 of taxes were 
unpaid. In 1875, at the suggestion of Mr. George Fishback, editor of the 
Si. Louis Democrat^ the Secretary of the Treasury appointed Mr. M}Ton 
Colony, of the Cotton Exchange, to make a secret investigation of the 
frauds. Through his efforts indictments were brought against 238 persons, 
and the Government was shown to have been defrauded of $1,650,000 m ten 
months. Among those concerned was General Babcock, President Grant's 
private secretary, and many other Government officials. 

Whitcomb, James (i 795-1852), was Commissioner of the General Land 
Office from 1836 to 1841. He was Governor of Indiana from 1843 to 1848, 
and represented Indiana in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 1849 to 1852. 

White, Andrew D., born in 1832, was a member of the New York Senate 
from 1863 to 1866. He was active in legislation for educational improvements 
and the incorporation of Cornell University. He was president of Cornell 
from 1867 to 1885. He was one of the commissioners to San Domingo in 
187 1. He was Minister to Germany from 1879 to 1881 and to Russia from 
1892 to 1894. 

W^hite, Hugh L. (1773-1840), was a Justice of the Supreme Court of 
Tennessee from 1801 to 1807, when he became a U. S. District Attorney. 
He was again a Judge of the State Supreme Court from 1809 to 181 7. He 
was a commissioner to adjust the claims of American citizens against Spain 
from 1820 to 1824. He represented Tennessee in the U. S. Senate as a 



Dictionary of United States History. 709 

Democrat from 1825 to 1835 and from 1836 to 1839. He received the 
electoral votes of Tennessee and Georgia for President of the United States 
in 1836, as a Whig. 

White, John (i 575-1 648), English clergyman, was one of the promoters 
of the Massachusetts colony. He established a colony of Puritans at Dor- 
chester in 1630. 

White, John (1805-1845), represented Kentucky in the U. S. Congress as 
a Whig from 1835 to 1845, when he became a district judge. He was 
Speaker of the House from 1841 to 1843. 

White, Peregrine (i 620-1 704), sou of one of the Pilgrims, was the first 
white child born in New England. He became a citizen of Marshfield, 
Mass., and filled several minor civil and military ofiices. 

White, Richard Grant (1821-1885), critic, was connected with the New 
York Courier and Enquirer from 1845 to 1859. He wrote patriotic articles 
for periodicals during the Rebellion. He published " Poetr>', Lyrical, Nar- 
rative and Satirical, of the Civil War," various literary essays and an edition 
of Shakespeare. 

White, William (1748-1836), presided at the first American Episcopal 
Convention in 1785, and drafted the church constitution then adopted. He 
was made bishop of Pennsylvania in 1786, one of the first three American 
bishops. He was chaplain to Congress from 1787 to 1801. 

White House, the President's house or executive mansion at Washington, 
called the " White House " because it is painted white. The corner- 
stone was laid in 1792, and President Adams was the first President who 
occupied the mansion. It was completed in 1800. When the British held 
Washington for a single day in 1814, the White House was burned together 
with the Capitol and other buildings. Congress authorized its restoration in 
1815, and it was again ready for occupation in 1818 and has been occupied 
by each successive President since that time. Its model was the house of 
the Duke of Leinster at Dublin. 

White House, Va. (near Mount Vernon). In the War of 181 2 batteries 
were erected at this point September i, 1814, to prevent the British fleet 
from descending the Potomac. This was successful for several days, but at 
last the fleet by a heavy bombardment forced the Americans to retire. 

White House (on the Pamunkey), Va., a battle of the Civil War during 
Grant's expedition against Richmond. It occurred June 21, 1864, and the 
Confederates were defeated. A small Federal force held White House, and 
upon this Wade Hampton had contemplated an attack with a strong com- 
pany of Confederates, chiefly cavalry. Just as the assault was about to be 
begun, Sheridan, who had been absent on an expedition against the West 
Virginia Central Railroad, came up with 6000 men. He immediately 
attacked Hampton's troops. These were utterly defeated and had to retreat 
with all possible haste. Sheridan captured a considerable number of 
prisoners. 



7IO Dictionary of United STates History. 

White League, an organization formed in the South in 1874 to check 
the growth of political power among the negroes. 

^A,^hite Oak Swamp, Va., a battle occurring immediately subsequent to 
the battle of Savage's Station, June 30, 1862. Jackson, leading his own 
command and the brigades of A. P. Hill and Longstreet, had been ordered 
to sweep around the Chickahominy River and destroy the retreating Feder- 
als as they emerged from the swamp. Finding the bridge over this stream 
destroyed, he changed his course and pursued them through the swamp. 
Upon arriving at the White Oak Swamp bridge he found that demolished 
also. There he was met by Smith, Richardson and Naglee, and Ayres and 
Hazard of Franklin's Federal brigade. These troops immediately offered 
battle. Hazard was mortally wounded and his force literally cut to pieces. 
Ayres and the others held out for some time, but retired during the night 
leaving 305 sick and wounded. 

■White Plains, Battle of, October 28, 1776. After his occupation of 
New York, Howe attempted unsuccessfully to break the blockade by getting 
in the rear of the American position. Washington at length concentrated 
at White Plains and Howe tried an attack in front. He succeeded in gain- 
ing an unimportant position, losing 229 men to the enemies' 140. He was 
discouraged and fell back on Dobbs Ferry, making a feint upon Fort Wash- 
ington and Philadelphia. 

Whitefield, George (17 14-1770), was influenced by Charles Wesley to 
join the Methodists, and in 1738 made his first voyage to America. He 
returned to England after a few months to obtain funds for building an 
orphanage in Savannah, Ga. The orthodox churches were closed to him, 
and he addressed vast assemblages in the open air. His eloquence and 
graceful delivery exerted a powerful influence over his hearers. A consid- 
erable sum was collected for his project. In 1740 he made a tour through 
the colonies. He made seven visits to America, and had immense revivalist 
success. 

Whiting, William H. C. (1825-1S65), commanded the Confederate 
brigade whose arrival won tlie battle of Bull Run. Pie constructed Fort 
yisher and took command in 1864, defending it until 1865. 

Whitman, Marcus (1802-1S47), was sent to Oregon as a missionary phy- 
sician in 1836. He reported to the U. »S. Government the value of the then 
disputed territory. Plis colonization efforts did much to secure that region 
for the United States. 

Whitman, Walt (1819-1892), was noted for the originality of his poetical 
■writings, both as to thought and style. He wrote " Leaves of Grass," 
dealing with nineteenth century American life, " Democratic Vistas," etc. 

Whitney, Eli (1765-1825), of Connecticut, was the inventor of the cot- 
ton-gin, which so facilitated the preparation of cotton that it increased its 
exportation from 189,500 pounds in 1791 to 41,000,000 pounds in 1803. In 
1798 he established an arms-factory near New Haven, Conn., which was the 
first one in America. He supplied the Government with arms of a superior 
quality. 



T 



m 







William Cullen Bryant. 
John G. Whittier. 



AMERICAN POETS. 

Henry W. Longfellow. 

Oliver Wendell Holmes. 

Edgar A. Poe. 



James Russell Lowell. 
Ralph Waldo Emerson. 



Dictionary of United States History. 711 

Whitney, Josiah D., born in 1819, has made valuable geological surveys 
of Ohio, the Lake Superior region, Mississippi and California. He became 
professor of geolog}' at Harvard in 1865. Died 1896. 

Whitney, William C, born in 1839, 'was prominent in the overthrow of 
the Tweed ring in 1871. He was corporation counsel for New York City in 
1875, 1876 and from 1880 to 1882. He has been active in the organization 
of the Democracy of New York. He was Secretary of the Navy in Cleve- 
land's Cabinet from 1885 to 1889. 

Whitney, William D., (1827-1894), became professor of Sanskrit in Yale 
College in 1854 and of comparative philology in 1870. He was president 
of the American Oriental Society from 1884 to 1894. He was editor-in- 
chief of the " Century Dictionary." 

Whittier, John G. (i 807-1 892), poet, was a member of the Massachusetts 
lycgislature from 1835 to 1836. He was appointed secretary of the Ameri- 
can Anti-Slavery Society in 1836. He edited the Pentisylvania Freeman 
from 1838 to 1839. He contributed editorials to the National Era, a Wash- 
ington anti-slavery paper, from 1847 to 1859. With the exception of Long- 
fellow he was the most popular American poet. He was a Quaker, and a 
man of philanthropic spirit. Prominent among his works are " Legends of 
New England" and " Snowbound." 

Wicker, Lambert (1735-1778), was one of the first naval officers appointed 
in the Revolution. He conveyed Franklin to France in 1776 in the "Re- 
prisal." He captured fourteen British vessels in five days. 

Wickliffe, Charles A. (1788-1869), represented Kentucky in the U. S. 
Congress as a Democrat from 1823 to 1833. He was Postmaster-General in 
Tyler's Cabinet from 1841 to 1845. 

Wide-A wakes, a political division of the Republican party, organized in 
i860 to promote the election of Lincoln; one of the first organizations of 
uniformed torchlight-parade enthusiasts in American politics. 

Wigglesworth, Michael (i 631-1705), came to America from England in 
163S. He was a pastor in Maiden, Mass., from 1657 to 1705. He wrote 
" The Day of Doom," a famous Puritan poem which passed through ten 
editions. 

Wilde, Richard H. (1789-1847), represented Georgia in the U. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1815 to 1817 and from 1827 to 1835. He composed the 
popular song, " My Life is Like the Summer Rose." 

Wilderness, The, Va., a bloody and irregular fight during the Civil War 
between the Army of the Potomac, 116,000 strong, under Grant, and the 
Army of Northern Virginia, numbering about 80,000 Confederates, under 
Lee. The battle occurred March 6 and 7, 1864. Grant's lieutenants were 
Meade, Burnside and Hancock; Lee's were Ewell, A. P. Hill, Stuart and 
Longstreet. The Wilderness is an almost impenetrable waste of forest and 
underbrush, and in this the Confederates were posted. Grant's army crossed 
the Rapidan River on pontoons the night of March 5. Grant had planned 
to attack the Confederates, but Lee anticipated him, beginning the fight 



712 Dictionary of United States History. 

early March 6. Hancock's and Burnside's corps were hurried to the front. 
All day the fight continued. Artillery and cavalry were useless in the dense 
brush, so the fighting was confined to musketry at close range. The night 
was spent by both armies in constructing intrenchments. Early the next 
morning Lee feigned an attack upon the Union left, not wishing to make 
the battle general until Longstreet should come up. Hancock was ordered to 
assault Lee's right, which was weakest. About midday Longstreet arrived, 
but was soon wounded by his own men by mistake. At night the battle 
was undecided. Both sides lost heavily. Grant withdrew, and the Con- 
federates retired to their intrenchments. 

Wilkes, Charles (1798-1877), an American naval oSicer, was lieutenant 
and commander of the squadron which in 1 838-1 842 sailed on an exploring 
expedition through the Pacific, along its American coasts and in the Ant- 
arctic regions. He became captain in 1855. While in command of the 
"San Jacinto," November 8, 1861, he stopped the British ship "Trent," and 
took the Confederate commissioners, Mason and Slidell. This celebrated 
" Trent Affair," which nearly involved the United States in war with Great 
Britain, brought to Wilkes the thanks of the Navy Department, approval of 
Congress and popular praise, but was disavowed by the Government. He 
commanded the James River squadron, was commodore in 1862, was retired 
in 1864, and made a rear-admiral on the retired list. 

Wilkins, William (1779-1865), represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. 
Senate as a Democrat from 1831 to 1834 and in the U. S. Congress from 1842 
to 1844. He was Secretary of War in Tyler's Cabinet from 1844 to 1845. 

Wilkinson, James (1757-1825), served in the Revolutionary War as 
adjutant-general and brigadier-general and Secretary of the Board of War. 
In 1794 he commanded the right wing under Wayne in his victory over the 
Indians. Made general of the army in 1796, he was stationed in the West, 
and was Governor of Louisiana Territory 1 805-1 806. For intrigues with 
Burr and Spain he was court-inartialled in 181 1, but acquitted, though not 
innocent. In the War of 1812 he was a major-general, but his efforts on the 
northern frontier ended in a fiasco. He was discharged from the army in 
1 81 5. His memoirs were published. 

Wilkinson, John, bom in 1821, commanded the Confederate ram " Louis- 
iana" at New Orleans in 1862. He ran a regular blockade runner from 
Wilmington to Bermuda in 1863. In 1864 he destroyed merchant vessels 
with the " Chickamauga." 

Willard, Emma (1787-1870), founded the Troy Female Seminary in 1821, 
which she conducted till 1838. She is considered the pioneer in the higher 
education of women in America. She wrote many popular school books. 

Willard, Frances E., born in 1839, has been prominent in reform move- 
ments. She has been president of the Women's Christian Temperance 
Union since 1879. She became editor of the Chicago Evening Post in 1879. 

Willcox, Orlando B., born in 1823, commanded a brigade at Bull Run. 
He led a division at Antietam and South Mountain and a corps at Freder- 
icksburg. He commanded a division during the Richmond campaign from 
1864 to 1865. 



Dictionary of United States History. 713 

Willett, Marinus (1740-1830), of New York, served in the expeditious 
against Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Frontenac. He defended Fort Staiiwix 
against the Tories and Indians in 1777. He commanded the forces in the 
Mohawk Valley from 1780 to 1783. 

William III. (1650-1702), King of Great Britain from 1689 to 1702 
(William and Mary king and queen 1689-1694), attempted in October, 1692, 
a union of the American colonies for the purpose of carrying on his war 
with the French. To this end a requisition was made on each colony north 
of the Carolinas for a fixed quota of men and money for the defence of New 
York, " the outguard of his Majesty's neighboring plantations in America." 
This is memorable as the first form of British regulation of the colonies 
after the revolution of 1688. William proposed to follow the policy of 
James II. for consolidating the colonies. In May, 1696, William appointed 
a board of commissioners for trade and plantations, which had a general 
supervision of the colonies till 1768. (See King William's War.) 

William and Mary, College of, was founded at Williamsburg, Va., in 
1693, upon the basis of a charter granted by King William and Queen Mary. 
Next to Harvard it is the oldest of American colleges. In colonial times it 
was of great importance. Jefferson, Monroe and Marshall studied here. 
The Revolution, the removal of the capital to Richmond, the foundation of 
the University of Virginia, and finally, in 1862, the destruction of the 
college buildings by Union soldiers, destroyed its prosperity. It has lately 
taken a new lease of life. 

William Henry, Fort, erected on the shores of Lake George in 1755, 
during the French and Indian Wars by General Johnson, who then com- 
manded the English and Continental troops in New York. During two 
years expeditions were sent out against the Canadian border. In 1757 a 
French expedition against it, under Vaudreuil and Rigaud, failed. The 
garrison, however, was in a wretched disorganized condition. The fort was 
again attacked in 1757 by a strong French and Indian force under General 
Montcalm. The latter besieged and bombarded it for several days, but 
Colonel Munro, the commanding officer, refused to surrender. Finally the 
fortifications were carried by storm, the fort was captured, many of the gar- 
rison murdered by the Indians, and the rest pursued to Fort Edward, on the 
Hudson. 

^A^illiams, Alpheus S. (1810-1878), commanded a corps at South Moun- 
tain, Antietam aud Gettysburg and during Sherman's march to the sea. He 
represented Michigan in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1875 to 
1878. 

Williams, David (i 754-1 831), served under Montgomery in the Canadian 
campaign from 1775 to 1776. He was one of the captors of Major Andr^, 
with John Paulding and Isaac Van Wart. 

W^illiams, Ephraim (1715-1755), of Massachusetts, Colonel, served in 
Canada in the French War from 1740 to 1748. He erected Fort Massachu- 
setts in 1751. He bequeathed funds for founding Williams College, which 
was chartered in 1793. 



714 Dictionary of United States History. 

Williams, George H., born in 1823, was a District Judge in Iowa from 
1847 to 1852. He was Chief Justice of Oregon Territory from 1853 to 
1857, and represented Oregon in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1865 
to 1 87 1. He was a member of the joint commission that arranged the 
Treaty of Washington in 1871. He was Attorney-General in Grant's Cabi- 
net from 1872 to 1875. 

Williams, James D. (i 808-1 880), was almost continuously a member of 
the Indiana Legislature from 1843 to 1874. He represented Indiana in the 
U. S. Congress as a Democrat from 1875 to 1876, and was Governor of 
Indiana from 1876 to 1880. He was a member of the State Board of Agri- 
culture for seventeen years, and its president four years. He greatly 
improved educational facilities. 

Williams, John (i 644-1 729), became pastor at Deerfield, Mass., in 1686. 
He was carried away captive to Montreal by Indians with his family in 
1704. He wrote "The Redeemed Captive," a very popular account of his 
experiences. 

Williams, Jonathan (1750-1815), was secretary to Benjamin Franklin in 
France from 1777 to 1785. He was chief engineer of the U. S. army from 
1S05 to 181 2, and planned and constructed Forts Columbus, Clinton and 
Williams in New York harbor. 

Williams, Roger (born about 1599, died 1683), founder of Rhode Island, 
was graduated at Pembroke College, Cambridge, England. He took 
orders, but soon became a Nonconformist. In 163 1 he came to Massa- 
chusetts, and was an assistant pastor in Plymouth and Salem. In 1634 he 
became pastor in Salem. His opinions on civil and ecclesiastical matters 
did not meet with approval. He withdrew from the church in 1635; was 
summoned before the General Court and expelled from the colony. In 
January, 1636, he left Salem and founded Providence the same year, estab- 
lishing friendly relations with the Indians. He formed a Baptist church in 
1639, but soon withdrew from it. Visiting England he obtained a charter 
for the colony in 1644. He was at one time president of the colony, was 
engaged in various religious controversies and exerted his influence generally 
in favor of toleration and peace with the Indians. Rhode Island's religious 
freedom was due to him. 

Williams, Samuel Wells (181 2-1 884), went to China as printer to the 
American Mission in 1833. He was U. S. Secretary of Legation and inter- 
preter in China from 1855 to 1876, and Charge d' Affaires nine times. He 
wrote " The Middle Kingdom," a standard book on China, and became pro- 
fessor of Chinese at Yale College. 

Williams, William (1731-1811), accompanied Colonel Williams' expedi- 
tion to Lake George in 1755. He was a member of the Connecticut 
Assembly for more than fifty years and a judge of probate for forty years. 
He represented Connecticut in the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1777 
and from 1783 to 1784, and signed the Declaration of Independence. 

Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., was first started as a free school 
in 1791, and incorporated as a college two years later. Dr. Mark Hopkins 



Dictionary of United States History. 715 

was its most famous president. At different times it lias received aid from 
the State, the last being a gift of $75,000, given in 1868. 

Williamsburg, Va., formerly capital of the colony, was built under an act 
of the Colonial Legislature of 1699. The city received a charter in 1722. 
In 1780 the seat of government was removed to Richmond. A battle 
between the Union and Confederate forces occurred here May 6, 1862. It 
was a nine hours' engagement between the rear columns of Magruder's 
army, retreating from Yorktown, and Hooker's division of McClellan's 
arni)', at the opening of the Peninsular campaign. Magruder had been 
reinforced from Johnston's army. Hooker had been sent in pursuit of the 
retreating Confederates, and he overtook them at Williamsburg. Long- 
street's division had already passed the town, but returned. Hooker held 
his ground bravely, but was compelled to retreat before such odds. 

Williamson, Hugh (1735-1819), while in London in 1774 was examined 
before the Privy Council regarding the Boston tea party. He was a dele- 
gate from North Carolina to the Continental Congress in 1784, 1785 and 
1786. He was a member of the convention that framed the Federal Con- 
stitution in 1787. He represented North Carolina in the U. S. Congress as 
a Federalist from 1790 to 1793. He wrote a "History of North Carolina." 

Willich, August (1810-1878), came to America from Germany in 1853. 
He commanded a German regiment from 1861 to 1862. He led a brigade 
at Chickamauga, in the Atlanta campaign and in Sherman's march to the sea. 

Willing, Thomas (1731-1821), was head of the finn of Willing and Morris 
[Robert Morris] from 1754 to 1793, which was an agent of Congress during 
the Revolution. He represented Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress 
from 1775 to 1776. He was the first president of the U. S. Bank in 1791. 

Willis, Nathaniel P. (i 806-1 867), poet, was connected with the New 
York Mirror from 1823 to 1842, and the Home Journal from 1848 to 1867. 
He wrote " Scenery of the United States and Canada," etc. 

Wilmington, Del., was originally settled by Swedes, who at Christiana 
Creek, now a part of the city of Wilmington, established the first Swedish 
colony in America, April, 1638. The town, i. f., its central portion, was 
founded in 1732, and incorporated as a borough in 1740. It became a city 
in 1832. 

Wilmington, N. C, was founded in 1733. This town was wrested from 
the Confederates and occupied by the Federal troops 20,000 strong, under 
Schofield, February 22, 1865. The actual capture of the town itself was 
accomplished without bloodshed. Its protecting fortifications, Forts Fisher 
and Anderson, had been captured January 15 and February 18 respectively. 
After the Confederates Bragg and Hoke, who had held Fort Anderson with 
6000 men, abandoned that stronghold, they retreated, February 20, through 
Wilmington, burning the steamers, cotton, naval and military stores, to pre- 
vent their falling into the hands of the Federals. On February 22, therefore, 
the town was occupied by Schofield without opposition. 

Wilmot, David (1814-1868), represented Pennsylvania in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1845 to 1851. He was author of the " Wilmot 



7i6 Dictionary of United States History. 

proviso," providing that slavery be excluded from territory to be purchased 
from IVIexico in 1846. He was president judge of the Thirteenth District 
of Pennsylvania from 1853 to 1861. He presided over the Republican Con- 
vention of i860, and served in the U. S. Senate as a Republican from 1861 
to 1863, when he became Judge of the U. S. Court of Claims. 

Wilmot Proviso. August 8, 1846, President Polk, in a special message 
to Congress, requested " money for the adjustment of a boundary with 
Mexico," that is, for the purchase of Mexican territory outside of Texas. A 
bill appropriating $2,000,000 was at once introduced into the House. David 
Wilmot, a Democrat, of Pennsylvania, proposed as an amendment the since 
famous "Wilmot Proviso," which "provided that neither slavery nor invol- 
untary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except for 
crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted." The bill thus 
amended passed the House, but failed in the Senate. January 4, 1847, a bill 
appropriating $3,000,000 instead of $2,000,000 was proposed by Preston 
King. It passed the House with the proviso attached, but the latter was 
dropped in the Senate. For a number of years the Wilmot Proviso was 
brought up and debated whenever new territories were to be organized. It 
was discussed in the case of Oregon, California, Utah and New Mexico, but 
was not finally established until June 9, 1861, when Congress passed an act 
prohibiting " slavery in any territories of the United States now existing, or 
which may be hereafter formed or acquired." 

■Wilson, Alexander (1766-1813), naturalist, came to America from Scot- 
land in 1794. He made a valuable collection of American birds and pub- 
lished nine volumes of an " American Ornithology." He enjoyed considerable 
reputation as a poet. 

Wilson, Henry (February 16, 1812-NoVember 22, 1875), Vice-President 
of the United States, was born in New Hampshire. He was in his early life 
a farmer, and a shoemaker in Natick, Mass. He was a Whig member of the 
Massachusetts Legislature, but renounced the Whig policy at the convention 
of 1848, and aided in forming the Free-Soil party. In 1853 he was the 
defeated Free-Soil candidate for Governor. A coalition of parties sent him to 
the U. S. Senate in 1855, and he was continued there by Republican votes until 
1873. Senator Wilson was one of the principal opponents of slavery. 
During the war he was chainnan of the Committee on Military Affairs. 
When President Grant was re-nominated in 1872, Senator Wilson received 
the second place on the ticket. They carried the countr}', and Wilson was 
Vice-President 1873— 1875. ^^^ wrote various historical works, chief of which 
is " Rise and Fall of the Slave Power," in three volumes. Life by Nason. 

Wilson, James (1742-1798), an American statesman, was born in Scot- 
land, received a university education, and emigrated to Pennsylvania in 
1766. He became an able lawyer, and was a delegate to the Continental 
Congress. He signed the Declaration of Independence, and was one of the 
signers who also sat in the Federal Convention of 1787. Of this body he 
was one of the foremost members, and was on the Committee which drafted 
the Constitution. On him fell the burden of its defence in the ensuing 



Dictionary of United States History. 717 

ratifying convention of Pennsylvania. In 1789 he was appointed by Wash- 
ington an Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. 

Wilson, James F., born in 1828, represented Iowa in the U. S. Congress 
as a Republican from 1861 to 1869. He was chairman of the Judiciary 
Committee from 1863 to 1869. He became a U. S. Senator in 1883. His 
present term expires in 1895. Died 1895. 

Wilson, James H., born in 1837, served at Fort Pulaski in 1862 He led a 
divison at the Wilderness and Petersburg. He captured Selma, Montgomer}', 
Columbus and Macon. He took Jefferson Davis prisoner in 1865. 

Wilson, John (15S8-1667), clergyman, came to America from England 
with the Puritans in 1630, and organized the first church in Boston, of which 
he was pastor till 1667. 

W^ilson, William L., born in 1843, has represented West Virginia in the 
U. S. Congress as a Democrat since 18S3. He was a prominent member of 
the Ways and Means Committee that prepared the tariff bill of 1888, and, 
as chairman of that committee in 1893, prepared the new tariff bill of that 
year. Became Postmaster-General in Cleveland's Cabinet February', 1895. 

Wilson, Woodrow, born in 1856, professor at Princeton College, has 
become prominent for his writings upon political science. He wrote " Coi:- 
gressional Government, a Study in American Politics," and " The State ;" 
also a historical book, " Division and Reunion, 1830-18S0." 

Wilson's and Kautz's Raid, Va., an expedition against the Confederate 
railroads and storehouses south of Richmond during Grant's campaign 
against that city, June 22-30, 1864. Wilson and Kautz, commanding 7000 
cavalry troops from the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James, 
succeeded in destroying several miles of the Weldon Railroad, a number of 
depots on the South Side Road and twenty-five miles of the Danville Road. 
They also attempted to dislodge Fitzhugh Lee from Roanoke Bridge, but 
failed. 

Wilson's Creek, Mo. The Federal leaders, Lyon and Sigel, were here 
defeated with great loss by McCulloch and his Missouri and Arkansas volun- 
teers, August 10, 1861. Lyon was killed and Sigel was compelled to retreat 
to Springfield. Lyon had come upon the Confederates by night, hoping to 
surprise them. The plan was well executed, but the disparity of force was 
too great, his army numbering only some 5000 men, while that of McCulloch 
was considerably over 12,000. In this fight the Federals lost over 1200 men, 
and the Confederates, though victorious, likewise sustained heavy casualties. 

Wilson's Landing, Va., an outpost of General Butler's Army of the 
James in 1864. It was held by Wild with two colored regiments. May 24 
Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry charged the post, but were defeated and driven back. 

Winchell, Alexander (1S24-1891), was professor of geology', zoology and 
botany at the University of IMichigan from 1855^ to 1873. He made valu- 
able geological investigations in IMichigan and Minnesota. 

Winchester, James (1752-1826), served in the Revolutionary anny. He 
was made commander of Fort Wayne in 181 2. He fortified Maumee Rapids 



7i8 Dictionary of United States History. 

in 1813. He was defeated by a superior force of British and Indians under 
Colonel Proctor at Rasin River in 1813. (See Rasin River.) 

Winchester, Va. Here occurred, during the Civil War, three sharp 
battles. March 11, 1862, Jackson, having evacuated Winchester, where he 
had been stationed, marched up the valley to be in easy communication 
with Johnston's array. Learning that Shields, weakened by the withdrawal 
of part of his force, was pursuing him, Jackson detennined to engage that 
general. He commanded 10,000 Confederates, while Shields had 7000 Fed- 
erals. However, the latter concealed his true strength by feigning retreat. 
The battle took place just outside of Winchester, Shields holding a strong 
position. The Confederates suffered a severe defeat. — Again, June 15, 1863, 
the Federal leader, Milroy, lay encamped near Winchester with about 7000 
troops. Hooker was following L,ee, who was then supposed to be marching 
on Washington. Ewell and Longstreet, leading 18,000 Confederates, came 
upon Milroy as they were hastening to join Lee. Milroy, ignorant of their 
superiority in numbers, held his post until it was too late to retreat. Then 
he defended himself as best he could, but in vain. The Confederate lines 
closed around him, defeating him utterly. Part of his army escaped to 
Harper's Ferry and part fled into Pennsylvania. Twenty-nine guns and 
4000 prisoners were captured. — Also during Early's raid through the Shen- 
andoah Valley part of his army encountered near Winchester, July 12, 1864, 
a small force of Federals under General Averell. The battle did not last long 
for Averell was greatly outnumbered. He was easily defeated, losing three 
guns and about 400 men. Early then marched on Chambersburg, Pa. — In 
1864, while Sheridan, commanding 40,000 Federals, and Early with nearly 
as large an army of Confederates, were manceuvring around Winchester, an 
engagement occurred near that town, in which the Confederates were 
defeated, Sheridan capturing nearly 25,000 prisoners. The battle occurred 
September 19, and is sometimes called the battle of Opequon, from Early's 
position along the banks of that creek. The Federals opened the fight by 
charging upon and breaking Early's first line. This attack was repelled, 
but, being struck upon the flank, the Confederates gave way and fled in con- 
fusion to Winchester. 

■Winder, John H. (1800-1865), served with distinction at Contreras, 
Churubusco, Chapultepec and the City of Mexico. He entered the Confed- 
erate service and was commandant at Libby Prison, Belle Isle and Anderson- 
ville. He is charged with extreme cruelty. 

'Winder, William H. (i 775-1824), led a successful expedition into Canada 
below Fort Erie in 181 2. His brigade repelled the British attack at Stony 
Creek in 1813. He was in command at Bladensburg in 1814, and was disas- 
trously defeated. 

Windom, William (1827-1891), represented Minnesota in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Republican from 1859 to 1869. He served in the U. S. Senate 
from 1870 to 1881. He was Secretary of the Treasury in Garfield's Cabinet 
in 1881, again a U. S. Senator from 1881 to 1883, and Secretary of the 
Treasury in Harrison's Cabinet from 18S9 to 1891. 



Dictionary of United States History. 719 

Windsor, Conn., was permanently settled in 1636 by Massachusetts 
settlers. A "trading house" was erected here by William Holmes and 
several associates for the Plymouth Colony in 1633. Windsor was one of 
the three towns which, in 1639, united in framing the " Fundamental Orders " 
of Connecticut. 

Winebrenner, John (1797-1860), seceded from the German Reformed 
Church in Pennsylvania and founded a sect called the " Winebrennerians " 
in 1830. Their distinctive ordinances are baptism by immersion, washing 
of feet, and the Lord's Supper. 

\A^inebrennerians (Church of God), a denomination organized in 1830 by 
Rev. John Winebrenner, of Harrisburg, Pa., in order to advocate a more intense 
Christian life. They have a church government like that of the Presbyterians 
and hold views like those, partly of the Baptists, partly of the Methodists. 

^A^ines, Enoch C. (1806-1879), was prominent in the reform of penal 
institutions throughout the world. He secured the assembling of the first 
National Prison Congress in 1870, and was its secretary from 1870 to 1879. 

Wingfield, Edward Maria, was active in colonizing Virginia under the 
patent of 1606. He came to Virginia from England in 1607. He was 
named first president of the colony, but was deposed in 1608. He wrote a 
" Discourse of Virginia." 

^A^innebagoes, a tribe of Dakota Indians, migrated east early, but were 
forced back to Green Ba3\ Early in the seventeenth century an alliance of 
tribes attacked and greatly reduced them. Later they were nearly extermi- 
nated by the Illinois. They joined with the French, and in the Revolution 
favored the English. They were also active in the Indian War of 1793—4, 
being reduced by Wayne. In 181 2 they were friendly to the English. In 
1816 they made a treaty of peace. Treaties in 1826 and 1827 fixed their 
boundaries. In 1829 they ceded large tracts of land. They made subse- 
quent treaties and were removed from place to place until in 1866 they 
were given lands at Winnebago, Neb. 

\A^inslow, Edward (1595-1655), one of the Pilgrim leaders, joined Robin- 
son's congregation at Leyden in 1617, and was one of the prominent mem- 
bers of the " Mayflower " band. He was the diplomatist and commercial 
head of the colony. The first year he negotiated a lasting treaty with 
Massasoit, whose life he saved two years later. He conducted an exploring 
expedition into the interior, and visited England several times in the interests 
of the settlement. Winslow was often chosen assistant, and was three times 
Governor. In 1633 ^^ dispatched a vessel up the Connecticut whose crew 
built a house on the site of Hartford, in rivalry with the Dutch claims. He 
represented his colony in the New England Confederation, and by Cromwell 
was appointed head commissioner of an expedition against the Spanish West 
Indies, which was, however, unsuccessful; Winslow died during its course. 
He wrote a historical work, the " Relation " or " Good Newes from New 
England," and several religious works, " Hypocrisie Unmasked," etc. 

Winslow, John (i 702-1 774), of Massachusetts, was a member of the 
unsuccessful British expedition against Cuba in 1740. He executed the 



■J20 Dictionary of United States History. 

order for removing the Acadians from their homes in 1755. He commanded 
8000 men against the French in 1756 and took command of Fort William 
Henry. He was a major-general in the Kennebec expedition against the 
French from 1758 to 1759. He became Chief Justice of the Court of 
Common Pleas in Plymouth County in 1762. He was prominent in the 
Stamp-Act troubles. He founded the town of Winslow, Maine, in 1766. 

Winslow, John A. (1811-1873), of Massachusetts, entered the U. S. navy 
in 1827. He served with distinction during the Mexican War. While com- 
manding the " Kearsarge " of seven guns and 163 men, he won a brilliant 
victory over the " Alabama," Captain Semmes, of eight guns and 149 men. 
The engagement lasted about an hour, at the end of which the " Alabama " 
sank. The " Alabama " lost forty killed, seventy taken prisoners, and thirty- 
nine escaped on the British yacht " Deerhound." The "Kearsarge" lost 
three men wounded, of whom one died. This was the most noted engage- 
ment between two vessels during the war. 

Winslow, Josiah (1629-1680), was an " assistant " in the Plymouth colony 
from 1657 to 1673. He was one of the commissioners of the United Col- 
onies from 1658 to 1672. He became commander of the Plymouth forces in 
1659. He was Governor of the Plymouth colony from 1673 to 1680. He 
was elected general-in-chief of all the forces of the United Colonies in 1675. 

Winsor, Justin, born in 1831, was superintendent of the Boston Public 
Library from 1868 to 1878, when he became librarian of Harvard Univer- 
sity. He has written much upon American history, and has edited the 
co-operative works, " Memorial History of Boston " and " Narrative and 
Critical History of America." He wrote a "Reader's Handbook of the 
American Revolution " and numerous bibliographies ; also, " Christopher 
Columbus" and "From Cartier to Frontenac." 

Winthrop, John (January 22, 1588-March 26, 1649), one of the chief 
founders and historians of New England, was born near Groton, in England. 
He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and became a justice of the 
peace and attorney. His sympathies were with the Parliamentary opposition 
to the Stuart policy, and in 1629 '^^ ^^^ chosen Governor of Massachusetts. 
He arrived in Salem in the summer of 1630, and soon proceeded to the site 
of Boston. He continued as the chief magistrate until 1634. In the short 
following period, when Vane was Governor, and the Anne Hutchinson con- 
troversy was the burning question, Winthrop opposed Vane. He was 
Governor again from 1637 to 1640 and from 1646 until his death. No name 
stands higher among the colonists in respect to ability and character 
combined. Governor Winthrop wrote a valuable journal of events in the 
colony, published by Savage under the title " History of New England." 
His " Life and Letters " were edited by R. C. Winthrop. 

Winthrop, John (1606-1676), son of the preceding, came to Massachusetts 
from England in 1631. He was an assistant of the Massachusetts colony 
from 1 63 1 to 1649. He went to England in 1634 and obtained a commission 
to build a fort at the mouth of the Connecticut River. In 1646 he founded 
what is now New London, and became a Connecticut magistrate in 1650. 
He was elected Governor of Connecticut in 1657, ^^^ h€[di office till his 



Dictionary of United States History. 721 

death, except one year. In 1663 he obtained a charter from Charles II. 
uniting the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven. 

Winthrop, John (Fitz-John) (1639-1707), son of John Winthrop the 
younger, was a highly efficient agent of the Connecticut colony in London 
from 1693 to 1697. He was Governor of Connecticut from 1698 to 1707. 

Winthrop, Robert C, born in 1809, a descendant of Governor Winthrop, 
was graduated at Harvard in 1828. He was a Whig in politics, and was 
Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. From 1841 to 1850 
he represented his State in the lower House of Congress, where he acquired 
a reputation as a debater and orator. He was Speaker of the House in 
1847-1849, and was defeated in 1849 ^^^ re-election to the chair. In 
1 850-1 85 1 he was U. S. Senator, but a coalition of Democrats and Free- 
Soilers defeated him. The same year he failed as the Whig candidate for 
Governor. Winthrop received a plurality of votes, but as the law then 
required a majority the choice went to the legislature, where he was beaten. 
Mr. Winthrop has long been noted as a classic orator, particularly on histori- 
cal themes. His addresses on anniversary occasions, as at the Yorktown 
Centennial in 1S81, were greatly admired. He died November 17, 1894. 

Winthrop, Theodore (1828-1861), was military secretary to General Butler 
at Fort Monroe. He aided in planning the attack on Little and Great Bethel, 
where he was killed. His posthumous novels attracted wide attention. 

Wirt, William (1772-1834), a cabinet officer, and one of the ablest and 
most eloquent lawyers in the country. He was a Virginian and sat at one 
time in the State House of Delegates, but aside from that office he was not 
active in political life. One of his most celebrated speeches was that deliv- 
ered in 1807 in the prosecution of Aaron Burr. From 1817 until 1829 Wirt 
was Attorney-General of the United States. In 1832 he was the Anti- 
Masonic candidate for President, and received seven electoral votes. Even 
better known than his addresses and essays were his " Letters of the British 
Spy," and his " Life of Patrick Henry." Life by Kennedy. 

Wisconsin, a State of the Union, was the last State to be formed from 
the " Old Northwest." It was early explored by Nicolet, La Salle and 
French traders, who made the first settlement at Green Bay in 1639. In 
1763 the treaty of Paris gave the territory to the English, under whose jur- 
isdiction it remained until 1796, when it was ceded to the United States. 
In 1836 it was formed into a separate territory, and included besides its pres- 
ent area the present territory of Iowa and Minnesota and parts of the 
Dakotas. May 29, 1848, the State was finally admitted into the Union. 
The State was Democratic in national politics until 1856, when it was car- 
ried by the Republicans as at every subsequent Presidential election until 
1892. In 1872 the Graham liquor law was passed requiring a license for 
the sale of liquor and a bond for payment of any damages from its sale. In 
1874 the Potter law fixed the railroad rates for passengers and freight. In 
1890 the Democrats elected the Governor, and in 1892 the Presidential 
electors. The present constitution dates from 1848. The population of the 
State in 1850, was 305,391; in 1890, 1,686,880. 
46 



722 



Dictionary of United States History. 



Wisconsin, Historical Society of, founded in 1849 and reorganized in 
1854. It has published several volumes of collections, and has formed a 
large library. 

Wisconsin, University of, at Madison, was incorporated in 1838, but not 
organized till 1848. Grants of land from the nation and State aid have 
placed it upon a firm foundation. Besides its college course it has a depart- 
ment of law, founded in 1863, and colleges of mechanics and agriculture. 

Wise, Henry A. (1806-1876), represented Virginia in the U. S. Congress 
as a Democrat from 1833 to 1843, but supported the Whig party in opposi- 
tion to Jackson's bank policy. He was Minister to Brazil from 1844 to 
1847. He was elected Governor of Virginia in 1856, after a severe struggle 
with the Know-nothings, whom he denounced as abolitionists in disguise. 
He served till 1859. During his administration occurred John Brown's raid. 
As a member of the Virginia Convention in 1861 he labored for conciliation. 
He led a Confederate brigade in the Kanawha Valley and defended Roanoke 
Island. He wrote a book of political history called " Seven Decades of the 
Union." 

Wisner, Henry (17 25-1 790), was a delegate from New York to the Con- 
tinental Congress from 1774 to 1776. He rendered valuable service to the 
patriot cause in the manufacture of munitions. He opposed the adoption 
of the Constitution as creating too centralized a government. 

Witchcraft. Tlie early New Englanders believed that human beings 
could, by compact with evil spirits, obtain power to suspend the laws of 
nature and thus injure their fellows. In 1671 Samuel Willard, a minister of 
Massachusetts, proclaimed that a woman of his congregation, Knapp by 
name, was bewitched, though her insanity was clearly proven. Between 
1684 and 1693 more than 100 persons were tried and convicted of witch- 
craft and many of them were hanged. Special courts were appointed by 
Governor Phipps for the trial of witches. Witnesses were frequently guilty 
of open perjury, for the charge of witchcraft soon came to be used as a 
means of striking a private enemy. The witchcraft epidemic was especially 
prevalent at Salem, where a number of persons professed themselves be- 
witched and singled out those who had bewitched them. Educated men 
like Increase Mather firmly believed in it. In 1693 the superstition began 
to weaken chiefly through the writings and protests of Thomas Brattle and 
Robert Calef, of Boston. The same belief prevailed elsewhere at that time. 

Witherspoon, John (1722-1794), came to America from Scotland in 1768 
to accept the presidency of Princeton College, N. J. He was a prominent 
patriot at the beginning of the Revolution, and did much to influence the 
Scotch and Scotch-Irish to defend the patriot cause. He was a member of the 
Continental Congress from 1776 to 1779 and from 1780 to 1783. He signed 
and strongly advocated the Declaration of Independence, and signed the 
Articles of Confederation. He wrote " Considerations on the Nature and 
Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament." 

Wolcott, Oliver (1726-1797), was a member of the Connecticut executive 
council from 1774 to 1786. He was Commissioner of Indian AflTairs for 



Dictionary of United States History. 725 

the Northern Department in 1775. He was a delegate from Connecticut to 
the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1778, and signed the Declaration of 
Independence. He was placed in command of fourteen Connecticut regi- 
ments which he organized for the defence of New York. He led a brigade 
under General Gates at Saratoga. He served in Congress from 1780 to 
1784. He was Lieutenant-Governor of Connecticut from 1786 to 1796, 
when he became Governor. 

Wolcott, Oliver (i 760-1 833), was comptroller of public accounts of the 
United States from 1788 to 1789, auditor of the U. S. Treasury' from 1789 
to 1791, and Comptroller from 1791 to 1795. He was Secretar)' of the 
Treasurj' in the Cabinets of Washington and Adams from 1795 to 1801, but 
opposed Adams' policy, being guided by Hamilton. He was a U. S. Circuit 
Judge from 1801 to 1802, and Governor of Connecticut from 1817 to 
1827. 

Wolfe, James (1727-1759), one of the chief heroes in the " expansion of 
England," entered the army at an early age and fought in the war of the 
Austrian Succession and against the rising of the Young Pretender in 1745. 
He was a brigadier-general and commander of a division under General 
Amherst in the siege and taking of Louisbourg in 1758, and displayed great 
gallantry. He was promoted to be major-general and selected by Pitt for 
the great stroke of 1759, the capture of Quebec. In June with eight thou- 
sand troops Wolfe appeared near the city. vStrongly fortified by nature and 
art, and under command of the ablest French general of the time, Mont- 
calm, the Gibraltar of the New World resisted all attempts, direct and other- 
wise. Wolfe and the English became discouraged. A steep but practicable 
path from the river gave Wolfe his opportunity to surprise his enemy. On 
the heights of Abraham the French were completely defeated, September 
13, 1759, and the surrender of Quebec soon followed. But Wolfe was killed 
in the moment of victory. See Parkmau's " Montcalm and Wolfe." 

Woman Suffrage. Twenty-eight States, a large majority of the Union, 
have given women some form of suffrage. In Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, 
Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, 
Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, 
Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Vennont, Washington and Wisconsin, women 
have various forms of school suffrage. In Wyoming women have had the 
same vote with men since 1869. This right was confirmed by the Constitii- 
tional Convention of 1889, and Wyoming was admitted to the Union in 
1890. They have generally voted the Republican ticket, that party having; 
been mainly instrumental in enfranchising them. In Utah women voted 
from 1870 until disfranchised by Congress in the " Edmunds Law" of 1882. 
A law was passed by the New York Assembly in 1891 enabling women to 
vote. This bill had been proposed in 1880. No vote was taken in the 
Senate. In Kansas they have equal suffrage with men at municipal elections- 
In Arkansas and Missouri they vote, by signing or refusing to sign petitions^ 
on liquor license in many cases. In Louisiana they vote on allowing rail- 
roads to run through their parish. In Mississipjn they were admitted in: 
1892, to vote on fence questions by the stock law. In Montana they vote 



724 Dictionary of United States History. 

on local taxation. In Delaware suSirage is granted them in several munici- 
palities. In Colorado they have recently been allowed the same rights of 
suffrage with men. 

Woman's Rights. The first woman's rights convention in the United 
States met at Rochester in 1848. (See Woman Suffrage, Equal Rights Party.) 

Women's Christian Temperance Union, organized in 1874 for reforming 
the drinking class and securing the abolition of the liquor trafiic. An 
organization, called the " Non-Partisan W. C. T. U.," was formed at Cleve- 
land in January, 1890, as a protest against the attitude of the W. C. T. U. 
in politics. 

Wood, Fernando (1812-1881), represented New York in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Democrat from 1841 to 1843. He was elected mayor of New 
York City from 1855 to 1858 and from 1861 to 1863. At the outbreak of 
the Rebellion he recommended that New York secede and become a free 
city. He again served in the U. S. Congress from 1863 to 1865. He was a 
great power in the politics of the city. 

Wood, Thomas J., born in 1823, ser\'ed during the Mexican War. He 
commanded a division at Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Murfreesboro and 
Chickamauga. He engaged in Sherman's invasion of Georgia, and led a 
corps at Nashville in 1864. 

Woodbridge, William (1780-1861), was Judge of the Michigan Supreme 
Court from 1828 to 1832, and Governor of Michigan from 1840 to 1841. 
He was a Democratic U. S. Congressman from 1841 to 1847. 

Woodbury, Levi (1789-1851), was an earnest supporter of the War of 
1812. He was appointed a Judge of the New Hampshire Supreme Court in 
1817, and was Governor of New Hampshire from 1823 to 1824. He repre- 
sented New Hampshire in the U. S. Senate as a Democrat from 1825 to 
1 83 1. He was Secretary of the Navy in Jackson's Cabinet from 1831 to 
1834, when he was transferred to the Treasury Department, and continued 
in Van Buren's Cabinet till 1841. He again served in the U. S. Senate 
from 1 841 to 1845, and was of great influence in the Democratic party. 
He was a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court from 1845 to 1851. 

W^oods, Charles R. (1827-1885), commanded a regiment at Fort Donel- 
son and Shiloh, a brigade at Corinth and a regiment at Vicksburg. He led 
a division in Sherman's Georgia campaign. 

Woods, Leonard (i 807-1 878), was president of Bowdoin College from 
1839 to 1866, when he visited Europe to gather materials for his " Discovery 
of Maine." 

Woods, William B. (i 824-1 887), was a member of the Ohio Legislature 
from 1857 to i860, serving as Speaker of the House in 1858. He was com- 
missioned a lieutenant-colonel of Ohio volunteers, and fought at Shiloh, 
Arkansas Post, Resaca, Dallas, Atlanta, Lovejoy Station and Bentonville. 
He led a division in Shennan's march to the sea. He was a U. S. Circuit 
Judge from 1869 to 1880, when he became a Justice of the U. S. Supreme 
Court. 



Dictionary of United States History. 725 

Wood's Coins (see Rosa Americana), coins issued by Great Britain for use 
in America in 1722 and made by William Wood after whom they were called 
Wood's coins, or Rosa Americana. They were of a mixed metal resembling 
brass, and the royal letters patent denominated them two pence, pence and 
half pence. Obversed stamped with laureated head of George the First; 
reverse with a double rose from which issued five barbed points. Legend, 
Rosa Americana 1722, Utile Dulci. 

Woodworth, Samuel (1785-1842), was engaged in numerous journalistic 
ventures. He is chiefly memorable for his poems, of which the " Old Oaken 
Bucket " is the most popular. 

Wool, John E. (1784-1869), served with great distinction at Queenstown 
Heights in 1812 and at Plattsburgh in 1814. He was inspector-general of the 
army from 1816 to 1841. He was active in organizing troops for the Mexi- 
can War. He was second in command to General Taylor at Buena Vista, 
where he selected the ground and arranged the forces. He commanded the 
Eastern Department from 1857 to i860. Fort Monroe from 1861 to 1862, the 
Middle Military Department from 1862 to 1863, and the Department of the 
East in 1863. 

Woollens Bill, the term applied to a celebrated tariff measure of 1827, 
because its most important provision was the advancement of the sliding 
scale, so carefully adjusted in 1824, from 33 J^ to 40 and 45 per cent on all 
woollen imports. The bill was introduced in the House in February, 
1827, but failed in the Senate. 

Woolsey, Melancthon T. (1782-1838), defeated the British at Sackett's 
Harbor in 1812. He was .second in command on Lake Ontario in 1813, 
and captured several prizes with the " Sylph." He again defeated the 
British at Sackett's Harbor in 1814. 

■Woolsey, Theodore D. (1801-1889), was professor of Greek at Yale from 
1831 to 1846, and president from 1846 to 1871. His opinions in interna- 
tional law were of great weight. He wrote " Introduction to the Study of 
International Law," " Political Science," " Communism and Socialism in 
their History and Theory," a " Manual of Political Ethics," and annotated 
editions of Lieber's " Civil Liberty and Self Government." 

Wooster, David (i 710-1777), general, commanded a sloop-of-war in the 
expedition against Louisbourg in 1745. He was a brigadier-general in the 
French War from 1756 to 1763. He was one of the originators of Arnold's 
expedition for the capture of Quebec in 1775. He was appointed one of 
the eight brigadier-generals of the Continental army and stationed in 
Canada, where he succeeded Montgomery in command for a short time. He 
was in command of Danbury when attacked by Governor Tryon's troops in 
1777. He was killed in an assault on the enemy near Ridgefield, Conn. 

Worcester, Joseph E. (1784-1865), edited the "American Almanac" 
from 1831 to 1843. He published valuable textbooks on history and geog- 
raphy, and his " Dictionary of the English Language," which attempted to 
represent the English language as it was, while Noah Webster's, in the 
original editions, represented it as Webster thought it ought to be. 



726 Dictionary of United States History. 

Worcester vs. Georgia, an important case decided by the Supreme Court. 
Samuel Worcester, a missionary among the Cherokee Indians, was in 1831 
seized by the authorities of Gwinnett County, Ga., indicted and sentenced 
to four years' imprisonment for residing among the Indians in defiance of an 
act of the Georgia Legislature of 1830. This act recites that any white 
person found living among the Indians without license from the Governor 
of Georgia is liable to imprisonment. Worcester pleaded the unconstitu- 
tionality of the act, and by writ of error the case was brought before the 
Supreme Court, 1832. That body confirmed Worcester's plea and found 
judgment in his favor, on the ground that the Georgia Act, being repugnant 
to the treaties made between the United States and the Cherokee nation, was 
unconstitutional and void. 

W^orden, John Lorimer, born in 1818, an American naval officer, entered 
the navy at the age of seventeen. The great deed with which his name is 
principally associated is the battle of the "Monitor" and " Merrimac " in 
Hampton Roads, March 9, 1862. Worden commanded the "Monitor" with 
great skill, in an action which must be ranked among the decisive struggles 
of the war. He received a vote of thanks from Congress and was promoted 
to be commander. He was engaged in the blockade, destro3'ed the privateer 
"Nashville," and took part in the attack on the Charleston forts in 1863. 
From 1870 to 1874 he was superintendent of the Naval Academy. Worden 
became commodore in 1868, rear-admiral in 1872, and was retired in 1886. 

'World's Fair. The World's Columbian Exposition was created by Act 
of Congress April 25, 1890. President Harrison, on December 24, 1890, pro- 
claimed the Exposition to the world and invited foreign nations to participate. 
On October 21, 1892, the Exposition grounds and buildings at Chicago were 
formally opened and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies by Levi P. Mor- 
ton, Vice-President of the United States, and presented by President Higin- 
botham, of the World's Columbian Exposition, to President Palmer, of the 
World's Columbian Commission. The Exposition opened May i, 1893, and 
closed October 30, of the same year. The Exposition Act provided for a 
naval review, which took place in New York Harbor in April, 1893, many 
foreign nations participating. There were about 22,000,000 paid admissions 
to the Fair, and the receipts exceeded the expenditures by nearly $2,000,000. 
See Exhibitions and Centennial. 

Worth, William J. (1794-1849), entered the army in 1812. . He served as 
an aide to General Winfield Scott in the campaigns of 1813 and 1814. He 
distinguished himself at the battles of Chippewa and Niagara. He was in 
command of the Department of Florida from 1841 to 1846 and was active 
in subduing the Seminole Indians. He was second in command to General 
Taylor at the outbreak of the Mexican War. He conducted an assault at 
Monterey and led his brigade in the battles from 'Vera Cruz to the City of 
Mexico. 

Wright, Carroll D., born in 1840, was chief of the Massachusetts Bureau 
of Labor Statistics from 1873 to 1888, of the U. S. Bureau of Labor from 
its organization in 1884, and of the Department of Labor since 1888. He 
is prominent as a statistician and investigator of social problems. 



Dictionary of Unitkd States History. 727 

Wright, Elizur (1804-1885), became secretary of the American Anti- 
Slavery Society in 1833. He was an editor of numerous anti-slavery publica- 
tions including the " Emancipator," " Human Rights," " The Massachusetts 
Abolitionist," the " Chronotype " and the " Commonwealth." He was 
prominent in insurance improvements, and was Insurance Commissioner 
of Massachusetts from 1858 to 1866. He aided in organizing the National 
Liberal League and was its president for three years. 

Wright, Horatio G., born in 1820, fought at Bull Run and was chief engi- 
neer of the Port Royal expedition. He led a division at Secessionville and 
commanded the Department of the Ohio till 1863. He led a division at 
Gettysburg and a corps at Rappahannock Station, the Wilderness and Spott- 
sylvania. He repulsed General Early's threatened invasion of Washington 
in 1864. He commanded at Cedar Creek and led a corps at Petersburg. 

Wright, Sir James (1714 ?-i785), was appointed Chief Justice and Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of South Carolina in 1760. He became royal Governor of 
Georgia in 1764, but was compelled to retire in 1776. 

Wright, Silas (i 795-1 847), was graduated at Middlebury College, and be- 
came a lawyer and influential politician in the State of New York. He was a 
member of the State Senate, and Congressman from 1827 to 1829. For the 
next four years he was Comptroller of New York. Then, 1 833-1 844, he 
was U. S. Senator, and one of the Democratic leaders in the Senate. From 
1845 to 1847 he was Governor of the State. One of his acts was the calling 
out the militia to suppress the Anti-Renters. The local Democracy was at 
that time engaged in bitter factional fights, and Governor Wright was 
defeated for re-election in 1846. Life by Hammond. 

Wright, William (i 794-1 866), represented New Jersey in the U. S. Con- 
gress as a Whig from 1843 to 1847, ^""^ i'^ the U. S. Senate as a Democrat 
from 1853 to 1859 and from 1863 to 1866. 

Writs of Assistance. In 1754 Parliament, at the petition of Shirley, 
then Governor of Massachusetts, passed an act providing for a more thorough 
enforcement of the navigation and revenue laws. General warrants were to 
be issued by the courts to revenue ofiicers to continue for an indefinite 
period, and not returnable into the court, for the seizure and examination of 
goods imported by illicit traders. These were called writs of assistance. 
They were legalized by the Townshend Acts of 1767. The colonists vehe- 
mently objected to them, because their vague and general terms left the way 
open to great abuses against the liberty of the subjects, in the search of prem. 
ises. In February, 1761, arguing against an application for such writs before 
the Superior Court of Massachusetts, James Otis declared the navigation laws 
illegal, and denied the claim of Parliament to legislate for the colonies. 

W^iirttemberg. The abolition of droit d'aubaine and taxes on emigration 
was agreed to by the Convention of 1844 between the United States and 
Wiirttemberg. A naturalization and extradition convention was concluded 
in 1868. 

Wyandotte Constitution, the final constitution of Kansas, adopted Octo- 
ber 4, 1859, by a convention appointed by the Territorial Legislature of 



728 Dictionary of United States History. 

Kansas, and under the provisions of which Kansas was admitted to the Union. 
The Constitution prohibited slavery; the Governor was to be elected for two 
years; suffrage was limited to whites, and Topeka was made the capital. 

Wyatt, Sir Francis (1575 ?-i644), was appointed Governor of Virginia in 
162 1. He brought from England a constitution upon which subsequent 
forms of government in the colonies were modeled. Trial by jury, an 
annual assembly convoked by the Governor, an executive veto power, and 
the concurrence of the Virginia Company and the Colonial Assembly in all 
acts, were features. He governed from 162 1 to 1626 and from 1639 to 1642. 

^A^yoming was organized as a territory in 1868. It was admitted as a 
State by Act of Congress approved July 10, 1890. Both male and female 
citizens are allowed the suffrage. The State has been Republican. The 
population in 1890 was 60,705. 

■Wyoming Controversy, a controversy which arose between Pennsylvania 
and Connecticut in 1782 regarding the jurisdiction of certain lands within 
the limits of the former State, but which had been settled by Connecti- 
cut adventurers. In 1784 the Pennsylvanians attempted to dispossess the 
Connecticut claimants. This led to bloodshed and to a revival of the Susque- 
hanna Company in Connecticut for the establishment of the latter's claims. 
John Franklin, the moving spirit of the Susquehanna Company, was seized 
and imprisoned by Timothy Pickering, clerk and commissioner of the new 
county of L^uzerne, formed by Pennsylvania from the Connecticut claims in 
1787. The question was finally settled in favor of Pennsylvania's juris- 
diction in 1790. 

Wyoming Massacre, Pa. In 1776 two Continental companies had been 
placed in the Wyoming Valley for the protection of the settlers, chiefly Con- 
necticut emigrants. Two years later Major John Butler, commanding a force 
800 strong, of Indians, British and Tories, descended upon the valley. July 3, 
230 Americans, in six companies, led by Colonel Zebulon Butler, attempted 
to oppose the British raids. Their unorganized lines fell upon the enemy 
about four o'clock in the afternoon. The Continentals were utterly routed 
and a brutal massacre followed. Butler could not restrain his Indians, who 
took 227 scalps. Women and children were, however, spared. 

Wythe, George (1726-1806), jurist, became a member of the Virginia 
House of Burgesses in 1758 and served until the beginning of the Revolu- 
tion. He drafted a remonstrance to Parliament against the Stamp Act in 
1764. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776 
and signed the Declaration of Independence. He became Judge of the 
pigh Court of Chancery in 1777, and was sole chancellor of that court from 
1786 to 1806. He was an ardent supporter of the Federal Constitution in 
the Virginia Convention of 1788, and was of great note as a lawyer. 

X. 

X Y Z Mission. In October, 1797, Marshall, Pinckney and Gerry were dis- 
patched to France to treat with Talleyrand and endeavor to restore harmony 



Dictionary of United States History. 729 

and a good understanding, and commercial and friendly intercourse between 
the two republics. They had great difficulty in obtaining an interview 
with Talleyrand, being met instead by the latter's special agents, Hottin- 
guer, Bellamy and Hauteval. In dispatches to the home Government the 
United States Commissioners designated these agents respectively as "X," 
" Y " and " Z," and hence the name. The special agents suggested that the 
Americans propose to Talleyrand the loan of a large sum of money by the 
United States, or that the latter Government accept the assignment from 
France of an extorted Dutch loan, and that one of the envoys return to 
America to arrange matters. The Commission indignantly refused these 
proposals, and broke up in 179S, having accomplished nothing definite. 
The envoys' report of their negotiations aroused intense feeling against France 
in the United States. 

Y. 

Yale, Elihu (1649-1721), Governor of Madras, went to England from New 
England in 1652. He gave various gifts amounting to about j(^goo to Yale 
College in a time of need, for which the college was named in his honor. 

Yale University, New Haven, Conn., was chartered in 1701. During its 
first year it had only one student. Established first at Saybrook, it was moved 
in 1716 to New Haven. The college received its name from Elihu Yale, 
who gave gifts amounting to ;^900. The Medical School was opened in 1813, 
the Theological School in 1822, the Law School in 1824, the Sheffield Scien- 
tific School in 1847. 

Yancey, William L. (1814-1863), served in both branches of the Alabama 
Legislature. He represented Alabama in the U. S. Congress as a Democrat 
from 1844 to 1847. H^ 'w^s ^ leader of the extreme party in the South. 
He proposed the formation of committees of safety in the Southern States 
" to fire the Southern heart." He made a tour through the North and West 
during the campaign of i860, urging the rejection of the Republican candi- 
date. He was a Confederate Commissioner to Europe from 1861 to 1862, 
when he became a member of the Confederate Senate. Life by Du Bose. 

Yankee. The most probable explanation of this designation is that it is a 
corruption by the Massachusetts Indians of the word English, or perhaps of 
the French word Anglais. 

Yankee Doodle. The history of the song is uncertain, but the air existed 
in England as far back as the middle of the last century. 

Yates, Richard (1818-1873), was a member of the Illinois Legislature 
from 1842 to 1849. He represented Illinois in the U. S. Congress as a 
Whig from 1850 to 1854. He was Governor of the State from i860 to 
1864, and was active in "the support of the Union. He represented Illinois 
in the U. S. Senate from 1865 to 1S71. 

Yates, Robert (1738-1801), of New York, was the author of numerous 
essays signed " The Rough Hewer," which advocated the patriot cause. He 
was a member of the New York Provincial Congress from 1775 to 1778. 



730 Dictionary op United States History. 

He became one of the Committee of Safety in 1776. He became a Judge 
of the New York Supreme Court in 1776, and was Chief Justice from 1790 
to 1798. He was a member of the convention that framed the Federal Con- 
stitution, but left the convention and opposed the ratification of the Consti- 
tution. 

Yazoo City, Miss., wrested from the Confederates of Johnston's command 
by Herron and 5000 Union troops, July 13, 1863. Herron had been sent by 
Grant for this purpose. Clirisman commanded the garrison of 800. Her- 
ron was assisted by DeKalb with a gunboat, but the latter was sunk by a 
torpedo. Herron captured 300 prisoners, 800 horses, 200 bales of cotton 
and 250 small arms, besides a Confederate steamboat. 

Yazoo Frauds. Georgia began her existence as a State with doubtful 
claims to the territory west of her present area, but she did not hesitate to 
pass laws regulating their disposal. In 1795 four land companies were 
formed and combined, in their operations in bribing the Georgia Legislature, 
under the name of the Yazoo Companies. By successfully bribing every 
member of the Legislature, except one, Robert Watkins, they induced that 
body to grant the companies, for a nominal consideration of $500,000, a 
tract of land containing 35,000,000 acres. These frauds aroused great 
indignation through the State. The act was declared unconstitutional and 
void by the grand jury of every county except two. February 13, 1796, 
the Anti-Yazoo party, having the majority in the Legislature, revoked the 
sale as a violation of the State Constitution. Immediately numerous claims 
sprang up, which had to be decided by Congress. Madison, Gallatin and 
Lincoln were appointed commissioners to investigate the claims. In 1802 
Georgia ceded her western claims to the United States. The claims arising 
from the Yazoo Frauds were not decided until 18 14. (See art. on the case 
of Fletcher vs. Peck.) 

Yeamans, Sir John (i6o5?-i676?), born in England, was Governor of an 
unsuccessful colony called " Clarendon," founded in 1665 on Cape Fear 
River. He was Governor of South Carolina from 1671 to 1674, and intro- 
duced the first slaves into that colony in 1671. 

Yeardley, Sir George (i58o?-i627), was an early immigrant to Virginia 
frona England, and was appointed Deputy-Governor in 1616. He was dis- 
placed by Samuel Argall, but was appointed Governor in 1619, and con- 
vened the first representative assembly in the Western Hemisphere. He was 
succeeded by Sir Francis Wyatt in 162 1, but again held office from 1626 till 
his death. 

Yellow Bayou, La., a brief skirmish. May 18, 1864, during Banks' Red 
River campaign, between the rear-guard of Bailey's troops under Mower and 
a small body of Confederates led by Polignac. The Confederates were 
worsted. 

Yellow Fever. This disease first appeared in North America in 1780, 
ravaging Boston during the summer of that year. It subsequently visited 
New York and Philadelphia, especially in 1793 and 1797, the latter city 
having suffered later than 1822. More recent and malignant appearances of 



Dictionary of United States History. 731 

the epidemic have occurred in the Southern and Gulf States, the worst being 
that of 1878. 

Yellow Tavern. (See Sheridan's Raid.) 

Yellowstone Park. This tract was set apart by Congress in 1872 as a 
national park. 

Yeo, Sir James L. (1782-1819), commanded the British forces on Lake 
Ontario during the War of 181 2. He captured Oswego in 1814. He was 
defeated in York Bay by Captain Chauncey. 

York, Me., second town settled in the State. The place was chartered by 
Sir F. Gorges in 1641 as a borough, and in 1642 as a city by the name of 
Gorgeaua. On February 5, 1692, it was attacked by Indians, over 160 in- 
habitants massacred and the town burned. 

York (now Toronto), Ontario. An attack was planned by the Americans 
preparatory to an invasion of Canada. April 27, 1813, General Pike with 
1700 men and thirteen armed vessels effected a landing, and against a deter- 
mined resistance fought his way to the town. The British, despairing of 
longer holding the place, blew up their powder-magazine. By this fifty-two 
Americans were killed, 180 wounded, and the rest thrown into confusion. 
During the dismay caused by the explosion General Sheaffe, in command of 
the British, withdrew with the larger part of his army, after having destroyed 
some vessels on the stocks and a large amount of stores. The town was then 
surrendered by the ci\il authorities together with 290 regulars and militia, 
a war-vessel and a large quantity of naval and military stores. The Ameri- 
cans lost in killed and woimded 286 including General Pike himself, the 
British 149. The provincial government buildings were burned. 

Young, Brigham (1801-1877), the chief exponent of Mormonism and 
polygamy, was a Vermonter by birth, and a mechanic in New York. He 
was converted to Mormonism in 1831, and became an intimate associate of 
Smith. Commencing to preach the next year, he soon removed to Kirtland, 
Ohio, was chosen elder in 1832 and apostle in 1835. Brigham Young was 
ore of the founders of the Nauvoo settlement in 1840, and in 1844 ^^ 
succeeded Smith. Owing to persecution he conducted an emigration in 
1846, and passed the following winter among the Indians of Nebraska. 
Having in 1847 explored the Salt Lake valley, he returned and led his band 
to the new home in 1848. He became Governor of Deseret in 1849, and 
was appointed Governor of the Territory of Utah in 1851. The next year 
he announced the dogma of polygamy, and systematically defied the National 
Government. He submitted, however, to Johnston's expedition of 1857. He 
remained president of the Mormon Church until his death. 

Young, John (i8o2?-i852), represented New York in the U. S. Congress 
as a Whig from 1836 to 1837 and from 1841 to 1843. He was Governor of 
New York from 1847 to 1849, when he became Assistant U. S. Treasurer in 
New York City. 

Young, John R., born in 1841, became connected with the Philadelphia 
Press in 1857, and was its war correspondent. He has since been an editor 



732 Dictionary of United States History. 

of the New York Tribune and Herald. He was Minister to China from 
1882 to 1884. 

Young Men's Christian Association. This organization was first estab- 
lished in the United States at Boston in 1851, having originated in London 
in 1844. The present (1894) aggregate membership of tlie 1438 American 
Associations is 245,809, and the net value of their property $14,208,043. 

Yorktown (October 19, 1781). On his arrival in Virginia in May, 1781,, 
Cornwallis found himself in command of 5000 veterans. Opposed to him 
was Lafayette with 3000 men, mostly raw militia. Cornwallis burnt and 
harried southern Virginia, but was unable to bring Lafayette to battle. 
Lafayette was continually reinforced and finding he could not catch him, on 
June 15 Cornwallis retreated to Richmond, and thence on the 20th toward 
the sea. In the first week of August, Cornwallis took his position at York- 
town with a garrison of 7000 men. Lafayette watched him from Malvern 
Hill. Washington now conceived the bold scheme of leaving Clinton 
unguarded in New York and of striking at Cornwallis in the South. The 
French fleet of thirty-four sail and 20,000 men under De Grasse was expected 
daily, and on August 17 news came that it was headed for the Chesapeake. 
Without giving Clinton any clue to his movements, Washington shifted a 
body of 2000 Continentals and 4000 French from West Point to Yorktown. 
The march was one of 400 miles and was accomplished between August 19 
and September 18. The French fleet had already arrived, and kept the 
enemy's fleet at bay. Cornwallis was completely hemmed in by 16,000 men 
and the fleet. Each day the lines grew closer and no help came from Clin- 
ton. On October 14, two British redoubts were taken by storm. Next day 
the British made a fruitless sortie, and on the 17th a white flag was displayed. 
The British became prisoners of war. Cornwallis was directed to give his 
sword to General Lincoln. He sent it by General O'Hara. The number of 
the British who surrendered was 7247 soldiers and 840 seamen. This disas- 
ter utterly crippled the British forces in America and was considered by all 
parties the end of the war. 



z. 

Zalinski, Edmund L. G., born in 1849, came to America from Poland in 
1853. He served with distinction on the staff of General Miles from 1864 
to 1865. He perfected the pneumatic dynamite torpedo gun. 

Zanzibar. A treaty relative to import duty and consuls was concluded 
between the United States and Zanzibar in 1886. 

Zenger's Case, first real struggle of the colonial press for freedom of 
speech against the Government. This case laid the foundation of the liberty 
of the press in America. In 1735 John Peter Zenger, at that time editor 
and publisher of the New York U'cekly Journal.^ which had been estab- 
lished as an organ of the popular cause against the colonial government, 
was brought to trial for the publication of " false, scandalous, malicious,. 



Dictionary of United States History. 



/jj 



seditious libels" against the royal government of the colony of New York. 
Every possible means was employed to secure Zenger's condemnation, but 
no jur}' could be found or compelled to return a verdict of guilty. 

Zeno Brothers, Nicolo (i34o?-i39i ?) and Antonio, were Venetian navi- 
gators who visited Greenland and Newfoundland about 1380 or 1390, and 
are said to have navigated the coast of North America as far south as Vir- 
ginia. The accounts written by Zeno were partially destroyed and their 
authenticity was doubted. Subsequent researches have strengthened belief 
in their authenticity. Zeno's map of Greenland and the northern coast of 
North America shows considerable accuracy. 

Zinzendorf, Nicholas L., Count (1700— 1760), visited America from Sax- 
ony (1741-1743), and organized the Moravian Church in America. He con- 
ducted seven conventions, preached in the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, 
and organized churches. 

Zoar. (See Separatists.) 

Zollicoffer, Felix K. (1812-1862), was an editor of the Columbia, Tenn., _ 
Obscrz'er from 1834 to 1841. He became an editor of the Nashville Banner 
in 1841. He was Comptroller of Tennessee from 1844 to 1849, represented 
Tennessee in the U. S. Congress as a Whig from 1853 to 1859, and was an 
advocate of extreme Southern views. He entered the Confederate service 
as a brigadier-general, and was killed in the battle of Mill Spring. 



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